March 5, 2026
Dr Tamantha Stutchbury named 2026 Wollongong Local Woman of the Year
iAccelerate Director honoured for visionary leadership advancing women and inclusive innovation
University of Wollongong (UOW) iAccelerate Director Dr Tamantha Stutchbury has been named the 2026 Wollongong Local Woman of the Year by Member for Wollongong, Mr Paul Scully MP. The recognition highlights her leadership in championing women in STEM and fostering regional innovation and entrepreneurship.
The awards celebrate visionary thinkers, everyday heroes, social advocates and trailblazing role models who make a meaningful difference in their communities. Dr Stutchbury was nominated for her enduring commitment to supporting the next generation of female innovators and leaders.
“Tamantha is an inspirational individual and fantastic role model for entrepreneurs and young women alike,” Mr Scully said. “Through her work at iAccelerate and the LIFT project, Dr Stutchbury has helped build not just successful startups, but confidence, capability and pathways for women in STEM. She is putting Wollongong’s approach at the heart of inclusive entrepreneurship.
“Dr Stutchbury understands that when women succeed, our whole community benefits. Her dedication to breaking down barriers and expanding access to opportunity is shaping a stronger, fairer local economy.”
That commitment is reflected in her leadership at iAccelerate, where Dr Stutchbury continues to drive inclusive innovation across the region. Under her direction, the program has supported over 500 companies, created more than 1,100 jobs and added over half a billion dollars to the economy. Around half of all iAccelerate-supported companies now include at least one female founder.
“We’re changing the narrative of what makes a successful entrepreneur. It’s not always the loudest voice in the room. With only around two per cent of global venture capital going to women-led startups, too many great ideas still fall through the cracks simply because they look or sound different,” Dr Stutchbury said.
“This recognition belongs as much to my team as to me – real impact comes from collective effort. It strengthens my resolve to keep widening the doorway for the next generation, so more people see there’s space for them here too.”
Dr Stutchbury has secured more than $4 million in funding to deliver programs that expand access to opportunity for women, First Nations people and regional entrepreneurs. The LIFT project has delivered 31 industry internships for female PhD candidates, awarded 56 scholarships to women founders and upskilled more than 1000 STEM educators. In 2025, iAccelerate was awarded the 2025 ACEEU (Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities) Global Triple E Awards – the Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment Award.
About iAccelerate
iAccelerate is the University of Wollongong’s flagship innovation and entrepreneurship hub. Its mission is to cultivate equitable, diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems by supporting founders from all walks of life in STEM, regional Australia, social enterprise and beyond.