Is Lisa Lewis our businesswoman of the year?

Photo: Reuters

Lisa Lewis first revealed her naked ambition for publicity at Hamilton's Rugby Park in 2006.

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There is no stopping Lisa Lewis.

The Hamilton woman who gained notoriety after streaking in a bikini at Waikato Stadium in 2006 during a rugby test and went on to seek fame as a naked newsreader, Boobs on Bikes participant, pole dancer and $1200-an-hour sex worker, is now receiving plaudits for her talents in a whole new field: business.

Lewis, who last week also appeared online for Australian Penthouse, has been nominated for a prestigious national women's business award, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award – a title held previously by fashion designer Annah Stretton and reality TV queen Julie Christie.

Lewis has been nominated by Hong Kong lawyer Cathy Odgers, the author of a blog written under the pseudonym Cactus Kate.

Odgers said her nomination was the result of having a "hunt around for something to do where I could contribute in a life-changing way to another woman deserving of assistance in fighting discrimination in her chosen profession".

The nomination procedure requires an extensive submission. Examples must be given of corporate social responsibility by the nominee, entrepreneurial drive, leadership skills and financial success.

Odgers described Lewis as an online pioneer in New Zealand for the provision of sexual entertainment services to a registered pay-per-view clientele. Of Lewis's corporate social responsibility she writes: "Hamilton is a small town and in purveying her personal services she respects client confidentiality in a manner that would leave many lawyers and accountants hanging their heads in shame."

Odgers said examples of Lewis's entrepreneurial drive were her dedication and training "to ensure she can deliver the quality of service and required aesthetics her profession demands".

"Lisa has kept her body in incredible shape using a complex cardio and weight-training regime combined with a stringent diet that many women would run away from in horror."

Her leadership style was direct and she epitomised a Kiwi "can-do" attitude, said Odgers. "She fits into any social circumstance, whether surrounded by the grace and charm required of high society sipping Veuve Clicquot or with sweaty rugby players at a local pub over a beer."

Lewis yesterday said she was completely surprised by the nomination and it was an opportunity to act as a role model for other women. "I am extremely humbled and privileged and I feel it is validation for my profession... I didn't know what Veuve Clicquot was, but now I researched it I feel I symbolise the dream quite well."

Veuve Clicquot general manager Richard Yeomans said the award nominations were confidential so would not confirm Lewis's nomination.

Yeomans said the award honoured women in business who display the characteristics of Madame Clicquot, after whom it is named: a pioneering spirit, determination, vision and a creativity to defy the odds, as well as corporate responsibility and, of course, financial success. "We welcome all nominations and, if they meet the award criteria, look forward to considering them on their merit."

- © Fairfax NZ News