The Galmont Hotel in Galway was filled with celebration on Friday, 18th September, as Network Ireland hosted its flagship Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026. Following the organisation’s inspiring National Conference earlier in the day, the evening gala ceremony brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and employees from every corner of the country to recognise exceptional leadership, talent, and innovation.
Eight outstanding women were crowned national winners across eight distinct categories, celebrating the remarkable diversity and strength of female-led business throughout Ireland.
The Creative Professional of the Year award was presented to Kim Whyte of Network Ireland’s Waterford Branch. An accomplished designer and illustrator with over two decades of experience in commercial print, fine stationery, and brand design, she launched her illustrated stationery venture, Pawpear, in 2022. Her career began at the Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) before she spent years in London crafting bespoke stationery for clients who shared her passion for the handwritten word.
Driven by a return to the vibrant colours, Irish language, and native landscapes that shaped her upbringing, she established the brand to craft Irish-made illustrated stationery. In just a few years, her designs have gained international reach, selling throughout Ireland, the European Union, and the United States.
Speaking following her national success at the Galway ceremony, Kim Whyte reflected on the milestone: "I've worked in the creative industries for over 20 years and, as a woman, I've had to fight for recognition, for the job titles that matched the work I was already doing, and for my craft to be taken seriously. That's where Network Ireland comes in. It promotes and champions women in business without you having to ask. Winning the national Creative Professional award is huge to me, and I hope it encourages other women in all walks of business to back themselves."
Network Ireland Waterford Branch President Claire Mooney celebrated the achievement, saying: “Kim’s national win is a remarkable personal achievement and a proud moment for our branch. Her creativity, dedication, and authenticity shine through in everything she does. The achievements of our other finalists further reflect the strength within our branch and the belief that drives women across our Network.”
Alongside Kim Whyte's win, the Waterford Branch was strongly represented across six other categories by fellow Network Ireland Waterford branch winners and national finalists: Edel Tobin (Pink The Agency, Emerging New Businesswoman), Pamela Golden (The Wellness Tribe, Solo Businesswoman), Martina Twomey (Parker Law Solicitors, Early Career Employee), Petra Curtis (Frisson Creative, STEM Professional), Karen Murphy (Murphy Larkin Timber Products, Established Businesswoman), and Suzanne Parker (Parker Law Solicitors, Networker of the Year).
The annual awards ceremony continues to stand as Network Ireland’s highlight of the year, providing a national platform to elevate, empower, and champion female professionals across every industry.
