Business/Company

This award honours a business or company making the greatest Kingdom impact through generosity, missions and initiatives. It also recognises significant business growth that has expanded their reach and influence for God’s glory.

Female Entrepreneur

Honours a faith-driven founder who boldly leads with faith, integrity and purpose. This award also recognises her ability to grow a thriving business or non for profit that impacts lives and advances the Kingdom.

Male Entrepreneur

Celebrates a purpose-led male business owner who leads with godly conviction, vision and excellence. This award also highlights notable business growth that furthers Kingdom impact and influence.

Authors and Podcasters

Celebrates authors and podcasters whose work uplifts, equips, and glorifies God through faith-inspired storytelling, teaching, or content creation – building both spiritual impact and audience reach.

Creatives and Performing Arts 

Honours a creative who uses their God-given gifts in music, performing arts, or visual arts to glorify God, inspire others, and expand their creative platform for Kingdom influence.

Tech and Products

For faith-led innovation in technology, products, services, or strategies that uplift communities, solve real-world problems, and honour God—while achieving meaningful growth and reach.

 Award Category: Kingdom Business of The Year Award (Business /Company) 

Peter is a Kingdom entrepreneur with a heart for legacy. He’s a seasoned business builder who took his first startup from a bedroom idea to a global, award-winning cloud company – eventually leading it through a successful trade sale.

Earlier in his career, Peter worked in a Fortune 50 company where he was one of the youngest Divisional Leaders, managing a $400M budget and contributing to a workforce of over 30,000 staff.

Today, Peter continues to champion purpose-driven leadership as host of The Be Great, Do Good TV Show (now streaming on Foxtel, Binge and WatchGood) and The 100X Legacy Business Podcast.

He’s also the author of The Illusion of Balance and founder of the International Mavericks Convention – a movement empowering leaders to grow with vision, values and Kingdom impact.

Peter’s passion for helping Christian business owners step fully into their God-given assignment is evident in all he does, and we’re honoured to have him on this year’s judging panel.

This year’s AC Business Awards is more than a celebration – it’s a divine appointment for Kingdom leaders to be seen, honoured, and elevated for the work they’re doing in the marketplace.

Award Category: Kingdom Woman of The Year Award (Business /Company) 

Fideliz Cruz is a passionate Christian business coach, prophetic mentor and the visionary founder of the KWE Academy. With over a decade of experience in mentoring and brand strategy, Fideliz has devoted her life to empowering faith-driven women to rise up in their God-given assignments and lead with courage, clarity and conviction.

As the founder of Kingdom Women Entrepreneurs, a global sisterhood of Christian women in business, Fideliz has created spaces where women are not only equipped with the tools to build profitable brands and also deeply encouraged to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Her work is rooted in a deep desire to see women lead with both excellence and authenticity, grounded in their faith.

She is the heart and mind behind Australia’s first Christian Business Awards, and author of the Amazon best-seller Your Divine Assignment, a prophetic guide for women stepping into their Kingdom calling.

Fideliz brings a unique blend of spiritual discernment, strategic insight, and a genuine love for seeing women thrive. Her heart for raising and celebrating Kingdom women makes her a powerful and discerning voice in selecting this year’s Kingdom Woman of the Year.

Award Category: Kingdom Leader of the Year Award (Professional/Career)

Mark Bilton is an international award-winning Independent Chairman, Leaders’ Advocate, Strategist and Managing Director of Leadership Advisors: Lead Well Live Well.

With over 20 years of CEO experience, Mark has led six companies through transformational change – including overseeing operations in 40 countries as Group Managing Director of Gloria Jean’s Coffees.

For nearly a decade, his leadership practice has helped clients grow in both strategy and culture. He’s deeply passionate about helping Christians be effective in the marketplace. 

Mark is also the Founder of the Monday Movement, a podcaster and the author of four books, including Monday Matters: Finding God in Your Workplace.

His Kingdom mindset and wealth of leadership experience make him an incredible addition to our judging panel.

Award Category: Christian Artist of The Year Award (For Christian Creatives – Performing arts and creative arts) 

Ryan Gilpin is the founder and Chief Executive of the Australian Christian Orchestra (ACO), established in 2023 with the mission to lead people to Jesus through the power of orchestral worship. Under his leadership, the ACO has grown into a vibrant ensemble of over 50 Christian classical musicians, blending traditional orchestral sounds with contemporary worship music to create transformative spiritual experiences.

In addition to founding the ACO, Ryan has contributed to significant projects in the Christian music scene, including arranging the 30th-anniversary edition of Darlene Zschech’s iconic song “Shout to the Lord” for her album Testament.

Through his work, Ryan continues to inspire and unite believers across denominations, using music as a powerful tool for evangelism and worship.

Award Category: Emerging Kingdom Entrepreneur Award (For business owners who are under 25 years of age)

Wendy Simpson is an experienced entrepreneur and Company Director.  She has had global leadership roles in government policy, airfreight, insurance, telecommunications, manufacturing, precision engineering and property development.  Wendy has judged numerous awards including AFR /BOSS Leadership Awards, Telstra Business Awards and is a Board member for General Sir John Monash Foundation, Australia’s premier global scholarship awards.  In 2025 the Governor General appointed Wendy as a Member of the Order of Australia for her pioneering work with Female Founders through both the SBE Australia program and the Springboard Enterprises program in USA, World Vision, Alphacrucis University College and Bus Stop Films. Wendy Simpson is an experienced entrepreneur and Company Director.  She has had global leadership roles in government policy, airfreight, insurance, telecommunications, manufacturing, precision engineering and property development.  Wendy has judged numerous awards including AFR /BOSS Leadership Awards, Telstra Business Awards and is a Board member for General Sir John Monash Foundation, Australia’s premier global scholarship awards.  In 2025 the Governor General appointed Wendy as a Member of the Order of Australia for her pioneering work with Female Founders through both the SBE Australia program and the Springboard Enterprises program in USA, World Vision, Alphacrucis University College and Bus Stop Films. 

Award Category: Christian Media Award (Authors and Podcasters)

Linh Podetti is a Vietnamese-Australian entrepreneur, media voice, and faith-driven leader who is passionate about using her platform to glorify God and uplift others. She is the Founder and CEO of Outsourcing Angel, a purpose-led company that connects Virtual Assistants in the Philippines with entrepreneurs worldwide – creating jobs, empowering families, and transforming lives through ethical outsourcing.

Linh is also the host of the Faith to Freedom podcast, where she shares powerful conversations that inspire listeners to live boldly for Christ in business and in life. Through her authentic storytelling and media presence, Linh encourages others to embrace faith-led leadership and use their influence for Kingdom impact.

With a testimony of resilience as a single mother turned CEO, Linh now mentors others to build systemised, values-driven businesses that serve both purpose and people. As a proud partner of the Australian Christian Business Awards, she is passionate about recognising and celebrating excellence in media that uplifts, inspires, and honours Christ – making her a powerful and discerning judge for this year’s Christian Media Excellence Award.