In a year that has been challenging unlike any other, this year’s Canberra Women in Business Awards shone a light on the tenacity of the city’s businesswomen.

The ability to keep going despite significant COVID-19 setbacks, leading the way and lifting up others in a turbulent year were the core elements of the winners of the awards across six categories presented by Chief Minister Andrew Barr at the National Arboretum on Thursday night (5 November).

Sunita Kumar of Daana Original Food was named the ACT’s Business Woman of the Year. Chef and co-owner of Daana restaurant in Curtin, Ms Kumar leads the culinary direction of the award-winning Indian restaurant, designing the menu and managing the kitchen, as well as looking after the operational and financial aspects of the business.

Ms Kumar, alongside husband Sanjay, launched Daana in 2015 to change the “stereotypical Indian culinary scene in Canberra”, with a focus on South Indian and regional Indian food.

Christina DeLay, co-founder of Altina Drinks, was named the Young Business Woman of the Year. Ms DeLay founded the ‘zero-proof’ craft cocktail company with partner Alan Tse in 2018 in response to Australia’s drinking culture. – Karyn Starmer  6 November 2020 – The Riot Act