First and foremost, congratulations.
Whether you joined us at the Judges Meet in person or have been following the journey from afar, becoming a She Inspires Awards finalist is an achievement in itself. Every year, we receive remarkable nominations from women and allies who are making a difference in their communities, professions, businesses and beyond. To be selected as a finalist means your story has already resonated with our judging panels.
Now, the next stage of the journey begins.
The She Inspires Awards 2026 Judging Interview Schedule is now available on our website, and we encourage all finalists to check their interview date as soon as possible.
View the full judging schedule here:
Over the coming weeks, we will be sending individual Zoom links and interview time slots closer to your judging date. For now, please make a note of your interview day and take some time to review the guidance and interview tips available on the website. The interviews are designed to be supportive, professional and engaging. Each finalist will have a dedicated 15-minute interview with an experienced panel of judges. During the interview, you will have the opportunity to introduce yourself and share more about your journey, followed by questions from the judges.
Many finalists ask what they should expect. The most important advice we can give is simple:
Be yourself.
The judges are not looking for perfection. They are looking to understand who you are, what you have achieved, what motivates you and the impact you are making. The first part of the interview is your opportunity to tell your story in your own words. Some finalists choose to use a short PowerPoint presentation, while others simply speak directly to the judges. Both approaches are equally acceptable. What matters most is authenticity.
Tell us about your journey.
Tell us what inspired you.
Tell us about the challenges you have overcome, the lessons you have learned and the difference you are making.
Your story is unique, and nobody can tell it better than you. We recommend keeping presentations simple and avoiding videos, as they can consume valuable interview time. Remember that the judges want to hear from you rather than watch a production.
Each judge will ask one question, and all questions are timed to ensure fairness and consistency across every category. Time warnings will be given when appropriate, so there is no need to worry about watching the clock yourself. Many finalists feel nervous before their interview. That is completely natural. Please remember that our judges are experienced, supportive and genuinely interested in learning more about you and your work. They understand the courage it takes to put yourself forward, and they want you to succeed.
One question we are frequently asked concerns changing interview dates.
Unfortunately, because of the complexity of coordinating multiple judges, categories and interview schedules, we are unable to change judging dates. The schedule is carefully planned months in advance, and it would not be practical to ask an entire judging panel to reconvene for an individual interview. Where there is a genuine emergency, we will always do our best to explore alternative time slots within the same judging session where possible, but we ask finalists to treat their allocated date as fixed.
As you prepare for your interview, remember that this stage is not simply about awards. It is an opportunity to reflect on your journey, celebrate your achievements and share the impact of your work with people who genuinely care about recognising excellence.
Finally, a reminder that Early Bird tickets for the She Inspires Awards 2026 are now available.
Every finalist who attends the awards ceremony will walk the red carpet and receive a finalist plaque recognising their achievement. This year, we will need to place our plaque orders much earlier than usual due to ongoing supply chain pressures and production lead times. If you are planning to attend, we strongly encourage you to book your tickets as early as possible. Late bookings may mean we are unable to guarantee that your finalist plaque can be produced in time for the event.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. You have already achieved something special by becoming a finalist. The interview is simply an opportunity to help the judges understand the person behind the nomination.
We look forward to hearing your story and wish every finalist the very best of luck.
See you at the interviews.
