The annual Women to Watch Awards spotlight regional women who are the movers-and-shakers, the disruptors, the inspirations for successes to come. The awards program launched in 2012.

The winners are announced at an awards party on September 11, 2026.

The WILMA Women to Watch Awards spotlight regional women who are the movers and shakers in our region.

Historically, WILMA receives more than 200 nominations and applications each year in seven categories: Arts, Education, Health, Business, Public Sector, Nonprofit/Volunteer, and Rising Star (The Rising Star category is for women under the age of 30).

The Judging Process: An outside panel of judges made up of WILMA’s Advisory Board and other local leaders read through the applications and nominations, and then pick the finalists and winners in each category.

Eligibility: The awards are open to those who live or work in New Hanover, Brunswick, or Pender counties. You can nominate yourself or someone else – just fill out the application below. (Note: All categories are open to women of all ages with the exception of Rising Star category, which is limited to women under 30 years of age.)

Thirty-five women are selected as finalists each year. Finalists are featured in the Fall issue of WILMA and recognized at an evening celebration event during the same month. The seven category winners are also announced at the event.  To learn more and to reserve a seat visit W2WAward.com

Click here to see photos from the 2025 Women to Watch Awards!