The North East led the way with seven winners and commended individuals taking centre stage at the 2025 Northern Power Women Awards.
The event, which is the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe, recognises individuals and organisations who are leading positive change across industries.
The event, which is the largest celebration of gender equality in Europe, recognises individuals and organisations who are leading positive change across industries.
This year, the event introduced new categories and had a record 15 winners.
Simone Roche, CEO of We Are PoWEr, said: "The truly exceptional 2025 winners embody everything We Are PoWEr stands for: gender equality, diversity, business for good, and shared prosperity.
"Each year, the awards grow in influence, and seeing the impact of this year’s winners makes me incredibly excited as we look ahead to our tenth awards in 2026."
The North East was well represented, with seven of the 20 winners and commended individuals coming from the region.
Ann Stonehouse, founder and chair of Assist Women’s Network, was named the Empowerment Champion winner.
For nearly 20 years, Ms Stonehouse has championed women across the region, launching initiatives like Sisterwood and Widening Horizons to empower women in business and beyond.
Susan Mulholland, a freelance writer and creative producer, was commended in the same category.
Ms Mulholland empowers young people in the North East through creative storytelling, working with LGBTQIA+ groups in Gateshead, students with SEND at Sacred Heart High School, and grassroots women’s football teams to champion inclusivity.
Nuvo Wellbeing, founded by Bethany Ainsley in 2008, was named the Micro Organisation winner.
The organisation has impacted more than 50,000 people through its inclusive dance and wellbeing programmes, ensuring accessibility in deprived areas by removing financial barriers to prioritise talent and wellbeing.
Digital Voice for Communities was named the Inclusive Innovation – Tech for Good winner.
The organisation transforms access to technology for vulnerable individuals across the North East, empowering them with skills, confidence, and career pathways.
Rachel Brown of Northumbria University was named the Mentor of the Year winner.
Ms Brown has guided students, professionals, and emerging leaders through outreach projects, CIPD North East’s mentoring scheme, and graduate programmes.
Juliet Sanders, founder of Feeding Families, was named the Person with Purpose Charity/CIC winner.
As founder and CEO of Feeding Families, Ms Sanders has led the North East’s largest non-franchised food charity, supporting more than 46,000 households and driving innovative solutions to fight food insecurity and share kindness.
Kayleigh Laverick, founder of Mamma Social Co, was commended in the Person with Purpose – Private Sector category.
After surviving a traumatic birth and postnatal depression, she launched a simple meetup in 2021.
Mamma Social Co is now a nationwide parental support network with more than 50 groups and 17,000 parents.
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The 2025 Northern Power Women Awards are supported by partners including Bank of America and Barclays, Bentley Motors, Accenture, BT Group, Connected Places Catapult, ASDA Property and Construction, Castle Peak Group, KPMG, Tetra Tech, Northumbrian Water, Royal London, 2m, JP Morgan, MSP Global, and PoWEr Pack.
Now entering its tenth year as a business and with the tenth Northern Power Women Awards set for March 2026, We Are PoWEr continues its commitment to driving change, amplifying the voices of those making a difference, and building a more inclusive and equitable future for the North East and beyond.
For more information, visit wearepower.net and follow @npwawards or #npwawards on social media.
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