Empowering Women in Business: QI Awarded the 2025 Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Grant
QI Co-Founders Proud Recipients of the Women in Business Grant 2025
1 April 2025 I The Queensland Institute
Empowering Women in Business in Brisbane.
We’re proud to share that Philippa Coleman and Fiona Wiebusch, Co-Founders of The Queensland Institute (QI), were awarded the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant.
Celebrating Diverse Women-Led Businesses
Since 2021, the Women in Business (WIB) Grant has supported more than 200 female-owned businesses across Brisbane—helping to create new jobs, build strong business networks, and drive growth.
Philippa and Fiona attended the 2025 ceremony on 26 March, connecting with this year’s cohort and past recipients. A highlight of the evening was celebrating the diverse women-led enterprises, from early-stage ventures to long-established businesses.
Building Capacity Through Executive Education
The grant includes access to a 12-month Executive Education program, supported by Commonwealth Bank, tailored for female founders and business leaders. Philippa and Fiona are looking forward to learning alongside other entrepreneurs, exchanging ideas, and exploring new ways to grow their impact in international education and teacher development.
Longstanding Supporters of BBH
Philippa and Fiona have been long-time fans of the Brisbane Business Hub (BBH), accessing its services since the beginning of QI’s inception—attending workshops, receiving coaching and mentoring, and encouraging others to do the same.
Learn more at: businesshub.brisbane.qld.au
Empowering Women Locally and Globally
At The Queensland Institute, Philippa and Fiona are committed to empowering educators—especially women and girls—through their global teacher development programs in more than 14 countries.
Locally, they support migrant women and early-career educators in Brisbane through their pro bono work in Migrant Education with Communify, and as mentors through the UQ HASS Mentor Program.
The WIB Grant recognition reinforces their shared belief that when women are supported to lead, learn, and grow, entire communities benefit.
Here’s to creating more opportunities where all women in business—and education—can thrive!
Contact Us
Connect with Co-Founders, Philippa and Fiona, via EMAIL to learn more about their journey.
We’d love to hear from you!
