2018 RBC CANADIAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED TODAY

Seven outstanding female entrepreneur winners awarded out of a record-breaking 7,400 nominees

TORONTO, NOVEMBER 21st, 2018 – The 26th annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, presented by Women of Influence, have named seven winners of this year’s prestigious awards. They join the six recipients of the new up-and-coming entrepreneur ‘Ones to Watch’ category, announced earlier in September. This year’s winners and recipients span sectors that include innovative apparel solutions, trailblazing food conservation, next-generation fertility treatment, progressive childcare and much more.

“RBC is honoured to celebrate the achievements of Canadian women entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in driving business success in Canada,” says Greg Grice, Executive Vice President, Business Financial Services, RBC. “We’re proud to put a spotlight on this year’s winners who are exceptional leaders, innovators and rising stars. Their leadership, passion and entrepreneurial spirit serve as an inspiration for the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs to pursue their aspirations and be part of Canada’s thriving business community.”

Now in their 26th year, the awards recognize the country’s leading female entrepreneurs who have made impressive and substantial contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy. We are honoured to have a panel of 12 judges that is comprised of some of Canada’s top business leaders, including: Karen Greve Young, CEO Futurpreneur; Bonnie Foley-Wong, Chief Investment Innovator, Pique Ventures & Founding Investor, Pique Fund; Paulette Senior, President & CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation and Karen Brookman, Partner and Chief Innovation Office West Canadian Digital Imaging.

The announcement was made at a gala reception on November 21st, hosted by Marcia MacMillan, National TV News Anchor, Host and Reporter, CTV News Channel.

Following yet another record-breaking 7,400 nominees, this year’s winners are:

• Glain Roberts-McCabe, The Roundtable, Toronto, ON, Micro-Business Award presented by Diversity Institute & Magnet Export Business Portal
• Joanna Griffiths, Knix Wear Inc., Toronto, ON, Staples Start-Up Award
• Dr. Marjorie Dixon, Anova Fertility and Reproductive Health, Toronto, ON, RBC Momentum Award
• Latha Sukumar, MCIS Language Solutions, Toronto, ON, Social Change Award
• Toni Desrosiers, Abeego, Victoria, BC, TELUS Trailblazer Award
• Victoria Sopik & Jennifer Nashmi, Kids & Company, Toronto, ON, Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award

The Gala also honoured the recipients of the Ones to Watch Award, Presented by Freshco.ca: Kate Latos, Ecofence and Decking Ltd.; Jessica Ching, Eve Medical; Humera Malik, Canvass Analytics; Thao Nguyen, Bonbon Collections Inc.; Sonja Mills & Alicia MacDonald, Port Rexton Brewing Company Ltd.

Alicia Skalin, Co-CEO and Head of Events and Programming, Women of Influence Inc., congratulated the winners for their incredible achievements, and for inspiring future generations of female entrepreneurs. “The incredible growth of our program reflects the increasing number of successful women-owned businesses in our country and the growing diversity in industries across Canada. The 2018 winners have turned their personal passions—from art and fashion to development to medicine – into thriving businesses. They have earned the esteem of their peers and their communities and are truly paving the way for future female entrepreneurs.” explained Ms. Skalin.

For more information on this year’s award winners, visit www.womenofinfluence.ca/rbc-cwea.

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 women globally.

About Women of Influence Worldwide Inc.

Women of Influence, now in its 24th year, is one of North America’s leading organizations working towards gender equality in the workplace — by empowering individuals. Through our events, content, awards, courses and coaching, Women of Influence annually reaches a community of over 300,000 professional women and men across Canada and internationally. Providing insights and inspiration, sharing the stories of extraordinary women, and creating opportunities to connect — we are making change happen for women, today. For more information, please visit www.womenofinfluence.com

For interview requests or further information please contact:

Amanda Kruzich, Women of Influence, 416 456 8633, akruzich@womenofinfluence.ca

Yuri Park, RBC, 437 229 2742, yuri.park@rbc.com