Yvette Pietsch, 44, promises that "high calibre" work awaits them along with a sense of community that the city environment "never provides".

The managing principal of accounting and advisory firm Crowe Horwath in the central west thinks its communities can help secure the return of more professionals from metropolitan cities by staying put.

"Instead of being looked after here in regional centres, they go through to the cities because they believe they can't get the advice here," she said.

"I believe that's wrong."

Ms Pietsch suggested a quid-pro-quo that would boost the ranks of professionals in the region, its population and productivity.

"If business supports the professional sector that sector will grow and flourish, and visa versa," she said.

Ms Pietsch has been back in the country for just over a year after climbing to the top of a mid-tier firm in Sydney across 20 years.

Born and bred in Forbes she moved to the big smoke to undertake university studies and a cadetship, simultaneously.

Her return to the country after being head hunted for her current position has been professionally and personally rewarding.

Ms Pietsch is celebrating leaving the rat race and enjoying encounters with "fantastic businesses".

"When you come into a region you've got people who actually back themselves, start a business, run that business and look to bring in their children," she said.

"I think they are a really rich part of our society and they deserve high-level care."

Mother of two, Ms Pietsch understands that the 2014 NAB Women's Agenda Leadership Awards attracted about 400 nominations.

She was one of three finalists in the regional/rural entrepreneur or manager of the year category won by Zoe Waters, director volunteer services, Barwon Health.

Ms Pietsch's career history and "collaborative" management style are thought to have impressed the judges.