For a second year, Fairfax Media has held the Fairfax Women of Influence Awards to identify and recognise female employees who have made a valuable contribution to the company, its future, and the broader community.

Journalist for the Newcastle Herald, Joanne McCarthy received the overall award as the Fairfax Woman of Influence that included $10,000 for professional development. McCarthy also won the Fairfax Women of Influence category award for Agenda Setting.

Fairfax Media CEO Greg Hywood said: “Joanne is a true leader. She is a strong voice in her community. Her journalism is simply outstanding.”

McCarthy won the Gold Walkley in 2013 and the prestigious Graham Perkin Award for Australian Journalist of the Year in 2012. Her award-winning journalism has involved confronting the Catholic clergy in the Hunter Valley and campaigning for justice for many victims of sexual abuse.

Mr Hywood said: “Joanne told victims’ stories with care and respect. Her tenacity, skill and courageousness is to be admired.”

The Fairfax Women of Influence awards for 2014 were presented by Fairfax Board Members Sandra McPhee and Linda Nicholls in Sydney today at a ceremony attended by Fairfax staff.

Category award winners, each of whom received $2,500 for professional development, include:

Emerging Leader

Shanelle Miller

Editor, the Bunbury Mail (Bunbury, Western Australia)

For forging a close and positive connection with her community, setting the agenda and raising the bar on how major local events are covered. Also for fostering a mentor scheme for Fairfax journalists in WA and building a strong platform for developing her team’s leadership problem-solving skills.

Change and Innovation Champions (co-winners)

Siri Kommedahl

General manager, AgTrader (Sydney, NSW)

For leading a team of seven to build a niche online start-up business within the Fairfax family – the online classifieds business for used machinery and farm supplies called AgTrader.com.au.

Sue Bennett

Managing Editor of Life Media for Australian Publishing Media (Sydney, NSW)

For transforming editorial teams in travel, food and drive, and implementing team structures that were previously untested but that are now producing more content for sections that are more popular, more aligned to their mastheads and that are profitable.

Agenda Setter

Joanne McCarthy

Reporter for the Newcastle Herald (Newcastle, NSW)

For being a crusading journalist who has a deep appreciation for the ethical framework in which she operates. She has told the stories of victims of sexual abuse with compassion, integrity and professionalism, and has taken a leading role in bringing about a federal royal commission into child sexual abuse.

Community Leader

Dannielle Hennah

Head of Content Solutions for Radio 2UE (Sydney, NSW)

For creating a major community fundraising event that raised more than $837,000 in its inaugural year in the name of the Christmas Appeal for The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. The event now runs annually and involves a lead-up campaign and an action-packed day on location that produces more than 15 hours of live broadcasting on Radio 2UE.

Customer Centric Leader

Joanna Glantschnig

Business Engagement Manager (Wellington, NZ)

For commitment to continuous improvement of service as the New Zealand Channel Manager working as a vital conduit with Teletech to achieve high-quality customer service for Fairfax subscribers and classified advertisers across a range of newspapers and magazines.

Leadership Champion

Carla Webb-Sear

Group Financial Controller (Sydney, NSW)

For working passionately to see other women progress in the field of finance; having integrity and authenticity; being consistent with Fairfax’s values and code of conduct; and gaining and maintaining the trust and support of colleagues.

Overall Fairfax Woman of Influence for 2014

Joanne McCarthy

Reporter for the Newcastle Herald (Newcastle, NSW)

For taking a leadership position on issues that have provoked thought, debate and action in the broader community; and for tenacious reporting that has reset the public agenda by bringing injustice to light.