MWOTY week officially started on Monday 22nd June, with its annual finalists’ evening event at Fogo de Chão (formerly Fazenda Liverpool).
A special day in the MWOTY calendar, finalists evening brings together the incredible women shortlisted for the awards together with MWOTY organisers, team and sponsors for an evening of celebration.
Guests enjoyed drinks and delicious canapes served by the fantastic Fogo de Chão team on its sunsoaked terrace, while they mingled and got to know one another before Friday’s awards ceremony.
There was a welcome from host Catarina Pereira from Fogo de Chão, a long-time supporter of MWOTY and its alumni, followed by words from Marion Reilly from headline sponsors, Rathbones, and an introduction to the Womens’ Fund by Rae Brooke from the Community Foundation for Merseyside.
Merseyside Woman of the Year 2025, Steph Barney from Girls on the Go, shared a few words with finalists about her experience, and in a touching moment, 2026 finalist Dr Cristina-Steliana Mihailovici also read a poem she wrote to celebrate her MWOTY 2026 peers, which you can read below.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ellie said: “Finalists’ evening is such an important and special date in the MWOTY calendar. So many of the women who are named finalists in the awards work quietly and diligently, asking for nothing in return for their commitment and dedication.
“It can be quite overwhelming to suddenly be thrust into the spotlight at a high-profile event, so we gather everyone before the big day so they understand what our Movement is about, and so they walk into that room with new friends by their side.
“We have an absolutely incredible bunch of 36 finalists this year and I cannot wait to bring everyone together and watch the magic start to happen!”
MWOTY prides itself on the awards just being the start of a year-long journey for the 2026 finalists, as they become part of the MWOTY Movement, where they have the opportunity to work collaboratively with each other and alumni from previous years.
Thank you to Fogo de Chão for hosting us once again and congratulations again to all finalists – we can’t wait for Friday!
Main image: Ray Farley
