Announcing the 2015 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO – September 23, 2015 – Women of Influence today announced the finalists of the 2015 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards program. A record breaking 5,000 women entrepreneurs from coast to coast were nominated for this year’s award, and 18 finalists have now been selected. These exceptional women were chosen for their accomplishments in industries as diverse as finance, technology, and staffing.

The winners will be announced and celebrated at the 23^rd Annual Awards Gala, hosted by Diane Francis, editor-at-large for the Financial Post, and celebrity host, Cheryl Hickey from ET Canada, on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards recognizes female business owners from across Canada who make impressive and substantial contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy. Candidates share a strong entrepreneurial vision and a relentless passion in pursing their dreams. These awards recognize business women from three major regions across Canada: East, Central and West.

“Today’s women entrepreneurs are inspiring business leaders and influencers and RBC is proud to play a role in recognizing and celebrating their leadership,” says Neil McLaughlin, executive vice-president, Business Financial Services, RBC. “With their incredible passion and dedication to business excellence, this year’s finalists play an important role in inspiring and empowering all entrepreneurs – both women and men.”

All nominees are required to submit through applications, which are reviewed and judged by a panel of prominent business leaders and subject to a due diligence performed by Deloitte Private Client Services.

The 2015 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Finalists are:

Deloitte Start-Up Award

West: Dr. Wendy McClelland, Vets To Go Inc.

Central: Lisa Jacuniak, Paris Crane Inspection Services Inc.

East: Noemie Dupuy, Budge Studios

RBC Momentum Award

West: Allison Grafton, Rockwood Custom Homes

Central: Shastri Ramnath, Orix Geoscience Inc.

East: Mene Conley, Mom’s Place Ltd.

TELUS Trailblazer Award

West: Janice Larocque, Spirit Staffing and Consulting Inc.

Central: Aneela Zaib, EmergiTEL

East: Judith Bobbitt, Oceans Ltd.

TPH Charitable Giving Award

West: Marcia Nozick, Eastside Movement for Business and Economic Renewal Society (EMBERS)

Central: Sharon Wood, Kids Help Phone

East: Millie Colbourne, Breton Ability Centre

Micro Business Award

West: Andrea Heilemann, International Business Services Ltd.

Central: Sharon Vinderine, PTPA Media Inc.

East: Connie Parsons, Connie Parsons School of Dance

PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

West: Ashley Rice, Techni-Craft Equipment Services Limited

Central: Ann Kaplan, iFinance Canada Inc.

East: Dolores Richardson, At Pac Auto Parts Inc.

The 2015 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are presented by RBC and sponsors Deloitte, TELUS, The Printing House and PROFIT Magazine.
“Canadian female entrepreneurs are an economic force, and as a community, their impact is growing,” said Carolyn Lawrence, president and CEO, Women of Influence Inc. “We’re honoured to be contributing to their future success by recognizing the achievements of this stellar group, not only offering increased exposure and a new source of credibility, but the opportunity to become an inspiring role model for future leaders.”

About the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards

The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are the pre-eminent national business awards recognizing the country’s leading female entrepreneurs. The awards are an initiative of Women of Influence, an award-winning organization dedicated to advancing Canadian women.

About Women of Influence

Women of Influence is North America’s leading organization of its kind. In its 21st year, Women of Influence now offers four pillars of services and solutions to further women’s advancement including: consulting on gender diversity and inclusion, courses in executive leadership, global events, and print and digital content. Renowned events include the Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon Series and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. Women of Influence has a community and reach of over 120,000 across North America including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa, Montreal, New York City and Washington, DC – and recently launched in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.womenofinfluence.com

Click here to download the full press release in English.
Click here to download the full press release in French.

For interview requests or further information please contact:

Kayla Calder, Women of Influence, 416-923-1688, kcalder@womenofinfluence.ca

Lena Wan, RBC Communications, 416-955-6665, lena.wan@rbc.com