The 100 finalists  in the 2013 Australian Financial Review and Westpac Group Women of Influence Awards will attend a presentation in Sydney next Thursday when 10 category winners will be announced.

Ms Murray’s achievement comes a year after University of Wollongong academics Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Judy Raper and Director of Innovation and Commercial Research Elizabeth Eastland were listed among Australia’s 100 Women of Influence.

More than 500 women across the nation were nominated this year across 10 categories.

The groupings are  board/management, innovation, public policy, business entrepreneur, diversity, young leader, global, social enterprise/not for profit, philanthropy and local/regional.

Ms Murray is a finalist in the local/regional category.

‘‘Someone from the university nominated me,’’ she said yesterday.

‘‘I was approached and I had half the submission completed and then decided I was not going to submit. 

‘‘But someone then did on my behalf.’’

Last year Ms Murray was also named a finalist in the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards after being persuaded to accept a nomination by other business leaders who told her it would be good for Wollongong if she won.

Ms Murray said she was happy to make the 100 most influential women list, although it did take the 2012 Illawarra Business Person of the Year out of her comfort zone.

‘‘I think recognition of leadership and influential leadership is important because we need to make as many role models as we can for the emerging generation.

‘‘It is also good to showcase our city and be able to demonstrate that we have great leaders who are making a difference on a national scale and not just within our region.

‘‘The more credibility we can create for the city the better, particularly at a time when the city needs strong leadership and demonstrable successful leadership.’’

‘‘I think for our organisation having made that choice to stay regional but delivering on a national agenda is worthy to be recognised. 

‘‘But this is all very humbling I have to tell you.’’

Ms Murray said it was also important to have role models locally for younger women.

She said the good news was there were increasingly more of those and that showed it was normal for women to be leaders.

Ms Murray believes she made the list not only for her role at IRT but as the vice-chair of the National Retirement Living Council and her  work, including the inaugural Vinnies CEO Sleepout last year which raised more than $83,500 for the homeless and another $124,000 in 2013.

She is also a Lifeline telephone counsellor and is involved in many other charity events and activities.

The Australian Financial Review describes those who make the list as women who are changing Australia for the better.

It is the second year the awards have been run. The aim of the awards is to recognise a new generation of achievers who are contributing to business and society and increasing the visibility of women’s leadership in Australia.

Ms Murray became a finalist after being assessed on a range of criteria such as personal and career achievements, contribution and impact beyond her direct role and her mentoring and support for other women.