Her body of work documenting sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy in the Hunter Valley led to a state inquiry and a royal commission. In 2013 she was awarded Australian journalism's most prestigious award, the Gold Walkley.

McCarthy's Woman of Influence award recognises her leadership on issues that provoked thought, debate and action in the community and her tenacious reporting that "reset the public agenda by bringing injustice to light".

Fairfax Media CEO Greg Hywood called McCarthy a "true leader" and praised her "simply outstanding" journalism.

McCarthy was given a $10,000 personal development grant in Sydney on Monday.

McCarthy also won the Agenda Setter  award for being a crusading journalist who tells stories with compassion and integrity. The editor of Western Australia's Bunbury Mail, Shanelle Miller, was awarded the Emerging Leader title for forging a close and positive connection with the community and Dannielle Hennah, head of content solutions for Radio 2UE, received the award for Community Leader for creating a major  fundraising event.

Other winners included Siri Kommedahl, general manager at AgTrader, and Sue Bennett, managing editor of Life Media for Australian Publishing Media, who shared the award for Change and Innovation Champions.

Joanna Glantschnig, business engagement manager in New Zealand, received the award for Customer Centric Leader while group financial controller Carla Webb-Sear won Leadership Champion.