Buffalo Outstanding Women in Business / Women Who Mean Business

Overview

Buffalo Business First’s women-in-business franchise historically includes honors such as “Women Who Mean Business” and “Outstanding Women in Business,” which recognize high‑achieving women leaders across industries in the Buffalo Niagara region for their professional success, leadership, and community impact. The program is run by the editorial team at Buffalo Business First, a regional business journal owned by American City Business Journals, and honorees are selected through a nominations and editorial review process rather than paid placements. Companies and individuals pursue the recognition for local visibility, networking with other leaders, and validation from a reputable business news outlet. It is an editorially selected regional award, not a pay‑to‑play ranking.

Eligibility Requirements

• Nominee must identify as a woman (including cisgender and transgender women, and nonbinary people who are significantly woman-identified) in a business, nonprofit, or professional leadership role
• Nominee must live and/or work in the Buffalo Niagara region covered by Buffalo Business First
• Nominee must demonstrate significant professional achievement and leadership with a record of community involvement or mentorship