DEADLINE
The deadline to apply is now closed for 2025. Please check back in September 2026.
AWARD DESCRIPTION
Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they still comprise a minority of leaders in the business world. Women hold nearly 34% of committee chairs in the S&P 500 and 31% of director seats, as of March 2023. Only 8.2% of S&P 500 company CEOs are women.
The Zonta Women in Business Leadership Award acknowledges and celebrates women who demonstrate exceptional leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, ethical conduct and make significant contributions to their respective industries while addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
Zonta International offers 10 international awards of US$10,000 each and a complimentary one-year supporting membership in Zonta International for the next financial year.
ELIGIBILITY
Women, aged 18-35 at the time of application, who demonstrate evidence of the following, are eligible to apply.
- Exceptional leadership in a business-related field of study or industry.
- Entrepreneurial spirit.
- Ethical conduct.
- Significant contributions to addressing global or local issues affecting women and girls or climate justice.
Note that applicants from geographic areas within a Zonta district where no clubs are located may apply via a Zonta e-Club or directly to the district to be eligible for the international awards.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must locate a Zonta club near them by using the Club Locator at zonta.org/locateaclub to receive the deadline and an address to submit application to, or for assistance, email your name and contact information to Zonta International Headquarters at [email protected]. Note that applications must be submitted to a Zonta club or district in the language(s) accepted by the club or district by the deadline printed on the application. Only typed applications will be accepted and considered.
FUNDING
Zonta Women in Business Leadership Awards are made possible by generous contributions to the Zonta Foundation for Women Rose Fund from Zonta members, Zonta clubs and friends of Zonta.
AWARDEES
2025 Zonta Women in Business Leadership Awardees | PDF
2025 Zonta Women in Business Leadership Awardees' Bios | PDF
International Recipients
District 1, Casey McDermott, Canada
District 4, Mikaela Morelli, Canada
District 8, Dani Wasia, USA
District 15, Jeannine Coelho, Pakistan
District 17, Jewel Wing Shum Ho, Hong Kong
District 18, Vanessa Asomah, Ghana
District 21, Faisa Abukar Abdi, Somalia and Sweden
District 25, Juliana Shrestha, Nepal
District 26, Yukino Arai Ashida, Japan
District 30, Mariana Roder, Bulgaria