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GRAZ – Austro-Filipina entrepreneur Sarah May Stangl Feliciano has been recognized with the 2nd Place award for New Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 by the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, honoring her leadership as executive manager of 24 Helfende Hände Personnel Agency.
The award ceremony, held in Graz, celebrated the achievements of emerging business leaders across Styria. For Feliciano, the honor represents more than personal success.
“For me, it symbolizes the entire past year—a year full of learning, challenges, and setbacks, but also countless small and big victories,” she said. “This award is not mine alone—it belongs above all to my amazing team in the Philippines, who work tirelessly behind the scenes, and to all the nurses who have had the courage to leave their home country to actively support our healthcare system here in Austria.”
Her agency focuses on bridging the healthcare staffing gap in Austria by recruiting and supporting qualified professionals, particularly nurses from the Philippines. Feliciano emphasized that her mission goes beyond filling vacancies, aiming to create new opportunities for workers to build lives in Austria while strengthening the local healthcare system.
The evening also spotlighted other entrepreneurs from the Ennstal/Salzkammergut district. Feliciano extended congratulations to Sarah Hofbauer (Finanzberatung), winner in the Best Innovator category, and to Barbara Pinnisch-Schneider & Magdalena Loitzl (Sorelle Salute), recipients of the Audience Award.
For Feliciano, the recognition is deeply personal. She is the daughter of Carmen Pacaigue, one of the first Filipino nurses in Austria and a respected community leader. Her diverse career path includes over 15 years in travel and hospitality, as well as running a model label in New York before returning to Vienna. In 2024, she published her debut children’s book, “Lea and Jakob,” a faith-inspired story for young readers.
Feliciano described the ceremony as “an emotional and truly unforgettable evening,” adding that the award reflects not only her determination but also the unwavering support of her family, especially her husband.
- Hector Pascua/pictures: Sarah May Stangl Feliciano
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