Hope Kids OT Wins at the 2025 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards

We are thrilled to share that Hope Kids OT has been named the national winner in the Professional Medical Services category at the 2025 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

This award recognises the leadership and impact of women-led small businesses across Australia, celebrating excellence, innovation and community contribution. The Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of Australian small business, were held at The Fullerton Hotel in Sydney and hosted by Nine News and TODAY Show journalist Jayne Azzopardi. The event brought together outstanding women from across the country who are driving positive change through small business.

A Vision Built on Purpose and Legacy

Hope Kids OT was founded by Paediatric Occupational Therapist, May Lee. With 16 years of clinical experience, our director set out to elevate how families experience paediatric care. Her vision was to create sensory-rich clinics where children could grow with confidence and supported by clinicians who could connect deeply with families from all backgrounds, as well as to nurture the next generation of paediatric occupational therapists. From those early days, her mission has always been about inclusion, growth and creating meaningful impact.

In just five years, Hope Kids OT has grown into one of Melbourne’s leading paediatric therapy providers. The organisation now operates four purpose-built clinics in Mount Waverley, Wantirna, Blackburn and Burwood East, as well as an on-campus clinic at Kingswood College and expanding community and home-based services.

Behind this achievement is a story of strength and perseverance. May’s entrepreneurial journey has spanned Melbourne’s two-year COVID lockdowns, alongside the challenges of motherhood and pregnancy complications including miscarriage, a premature baby, hip dysplasia and prolonged gestational diabetes. “Those seasons pushed me to my limits,” May shared, “but they taught me what resilience, grit and purpose look like in real life.” Her story reflects the strength of countless women who balance leadership, motherhood and caregiving, while continuing to build businesses that serve others with compassion.

A Proud Moment for Occupational Therapy

The Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards are known as one of the nation’s most respected programs recognising women-led businesses. This year they received a record number of submissions in 2025, spanning more than 65 categories across retail, services and manufacturing. Each finalist was evaluated by an independent judging panel on growth, innovation, customer experience, strategy and community impact. To be named Champion in the Professional Medical Services category places Hope Kids OT among Australia’s leading female-led organisations creating meaningful social and health impact. This recognition also shines a light on paediatric occupational therapy, a field that often works quietly behind the scenes to create life-changing progress for children and their families. This award celebrates Hope Kids OT’s dedication to quality care, professional excellence and community impact.

Steve Loe, Managing Director of Precedent Productions and founder of the Awards, said, “Being selected as a Champion from a national pool of thousands speaks volumes of the tenacity and leadership at Hope Kids OT.”

Women Leading with Purpose

As a women-led organisation, Hope Kids OT is proud to represent the strength, professionalism and compassion of women in healthcare. Many members of the team are clinicians, mentors and some are mothers who balance multiple roles with clinical responsibilities. Their consistency, resilience and professionalism have built a workplace culture focused on care, growth and excellence. May shared, “Being named a Champion among so many inspiring women in business is an incredible honour. It represents the tenacity and dedication of women who continue to show what is possible when we lead with vision, purpose and perseverance.” Hope Kids OT is proud to stand among the nation’s most exceptional female leaders making a lasting mark in healthcare and business.

Building the Future of Paediatric Healthcare

This national recognition is both a celebration and a promise of our commitment to continue building an organisation that makes a lasting difference in the lives of children and families. The team’s greatest rewards come from seeing clinicians grow into confident, passionate professionals and witnessing the life-changing impact they make every day.

Hope Kids OT will keep investing in professional development, creating career pathways for clinicians and expanding access to high-quality therapy across Melbourne’s suburbs. As May shared, “This achievement belongs to our team, our families and our community. It’s a reminder that when women in healthcare lead with purpose and perseverance, we don’t just build businesses, we create change.” May expressed her gratitude to the judging panel for recognising the work and impact of Hope Kids OT, and to her dedicated team and family for their unwavering support. “This award isn’t just a milestone,” she said. “It’s a sign of the legacy we’re building for our children, our community and the next generation of paediatric occupational therapists.”

Join the Journey

If you’re a parent seeking trusted support, a clinician ready to grow your career, or an organisation passionate about creating impact – we would love for you to be part of the Hope Kids OT story.

Discover our services, partnerships and career pathways at hopekidsot.com.au.

Together, let’s continue empowering children, families and clinicians while shaping the future of paediatric occupational therapy in Australia.

Please find our official media press release [here].