Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick has been hailed as Australia’s most influential woman.

Ms Broderick was recognised as part of the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards.

• How women can get ahead at work

Her work to aid women in balancing work and parenthood was celebrated, as was her commitment to sharing positive stories of women in society.

“True leaders don’t stand up and tell you what a true leader they are,” judge Michael Rose, a chief executive partner of Allens law firm, said.

Ms Broderick was joined in the top ten by women from industries ranging from education to social enterprise to education.

“The stories of our award winners really do put paid to the enduring cliché that women are their own worst enemies,” Catherine Fox, co-chair of the awards judging panel, said.

Australia’s top 10 most influential women

Overall winner: Elizabeth Broderick – Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission

Business enterprise: Dr Alex Birrell – CEO, Paftec

Board management: Anne-Marie Corboy – CEO, HESTA Super Fund

Global: Professor Ann Henderson-Sellers – Professor Emerita, Macquarie University

Innovation: Professor Rebecca Ivers – Director, Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health

Local/regional: Linda O’Brien – Principal, Granville Boys High School, NSW Department of Education

Philanthropy: Janette Savage – Regional Coordinator and Funding Chair, Cancer Care Western NSW Inc

Social enterprise: Jo Cavanagh OAM – CEO, Family Life

Public policy: Professor Jane Halton PSM – Secretary, Department of Finance

Young leader: Genevieve Clay-Smith – co-founder, Bus Stop Films and Taste Creative