Women of Influence

Program Description

The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards is the premier national awards program celebrating the achievements of the most successful in this inspiring group. Over the last 27 years, thousands of women have been nominated and recognized for demonstrating excellence — from economic growth to social change, from local to global reach, across multiple sectors.

The collective impact of our country’s female entrepreneurs cannot be overstated. We are honoured to shine a spotlight on them.

How Does the Award Process Work?

The award process for the 27th annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards is completed in three straightforward steps.

1. Get Nominated

Entrepreneurs must be nominated by March 21, 2019. If you have received an email notifying you of your nomination – congratulations! You can follow the links within the email to take you to the next steps.

If you have not been nominated yet, why not nominate yourself?

2. Confirm Your Eligibility by Completing Your Intent to Apply Form

All nominees must complete the Intent to Apply form prior to starting their application. This form confirms your eligibility as an official Award Applicant and the information gathered here is a required component of your complete application.

3. Submit Your Formal Application

All nominees who successfully complete their Intent to Apply will be emailed a link to the official 2019 Award Application. Remember – we have resources to help you! Be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions and Video Tutorials to help you create an award-winning application.

Are you Eligible to Apply?

Nominees must meet all eligibility criteria in order to apply for the 27th annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. To see if you qualify, please visit our Eligibility Page or email us at [email protected] for more information.

2019 Award Categories

The seven award categories are designed to recognize women entrepreneurs at all levels of growth. Three finalists will be selected for each award category from across the country, each individually representing a region: West, Central, East.

Ones to Watch Award

This award recognizes five entrepreneurs who may not meet the criteria for the other awards but who demonstrate incredible potential through their innovative ideas, keen business sense and solid plans for future profitable growth. The award is open to those who have been in business more than 1 but fewer than 3 years.

Meet the 2018 Recipients:

Micro-Business Award

This award honors entrepreneurs who own and operate small businesses that generate annual revenues of under $1 million. The applicant’s business is in any industry, at any stage and in any region, and must demonstrate a successful growth rate on the micro level.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Glain Roberts-McCabe
Finalists: Luann Baker-Johnson and Kathleen Quinlan
Meet the 2017 Winner: Genevieve Levesque
Finalists: Kalpana Kundra and Angel Guerra & Angela Dione
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

Staples Start-Up Award

This award celebrates the achievements of an entrepreneur who, in a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, has developed her business into one that’s ready for the next level of growth. The recipient has been successful in building a profitable business since its inception, and can share a comprehensive and sustainable business plan.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Joanna Griffiths
Finalists: Jennifer Denouden and Ella Choi
Meet the 2017 Winner: Trina Bailey
Finalists: Rula Sharkawi and Marlo Brausse
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

RBC Momentum Award

This entrepreneur has successfully capitalized on opportunities to deliver 10% or more growth, year-over-year for three years or more. Through expanded management, empowered employees, and demonstrated excellence, she has created a flexible and responsive business that is able to adapt to changing market environments and leverage opportunities for continued growth.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Dr. Marjorie Dixon
Finalists: Jennifer Hamilton and Francine Brûlé
Meet the 2017 Winner: Mandy Rennehan
Finalists: Kara Angus and Rachel Mielke
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

Social Change Award

Awarding an exceptional leader of a registered charity or not-for-profit that is dedicated to social change. Applicants have garnered extraordinary support from the community by being champions for philanthropy and volunteerism in Canada.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Latha Sukumar
Finalists: Ching Tien and Heather Modlin
Meet the 2017 Winner: Melissa Sariffodeen
Finalists: Cathy Deagle Gammon and Glori Meldrum
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

TELUS Trailblazer Award

This entrepreneur is a true trendsetter. She has recognized a new market, product, service, technological advancement or opportunity and led the way. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership within her company and her market and she has set standards for originality, quality and successful management.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Toni Desrosiers
Finalists: Caroline Roberts and Elen Steinberg
Meet the 2017 Winner: Claudia Sjoberg
Finalists: Natalie Voland and Sharifa Khan
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award

Through timely innovation, strategic thinking and smart execution, the recipient of this award has built and managed one or more successful businesses over a period of 10 years. With a proven track record of growth, profitability, and industry leadership, this entrepreneur’s exploits have generated an uncommon degree of economic growth, and she has shown to possess the drive, managerial acumen and leadership traits that others aspire to have.

Meet the 2018 Winner: Victoria Sopik & Jennifer Nashmi
Finalists: Mandy Farmer and Mélanie Normandin
Meet the 2017 Winner: Janet Zuccarini
Finalists: Allison Grafton and Christiane Germain
Meet the 2016 Finalists
Meet the 2015 Finalists

2018 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Gala

2019 Key Program Dates

Call for Nominations: OPEN
Nomination Deadline: March 21, 2019
Application Deadline: May 17, 2019
Finalist Announcement: September 18, 2019
Awards Gala: November 20, 2019

Award Process – Quick Links

Nominations are open
Intent to Apply Form

Award Application – Key Resources

Follow these links to access everything you need to complete an award-winning application.
Eligibility Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Tutorials

Who Are Our Winners & Finalists?

See the 2018 winners
See the 2017 winners
See the 2016 winners
See the 2015 winners
See the 2014 winners
See the 2013 winners
See the 2012 winners

“Being named the winner of the Micro-Business Award has been an incredible visibility boost for The Roundtable. Within a week of the announcement, the profile and support we’ve received has already opened up exciting new doors. I really can’t thank RBC and WOI enough for their support of women entrepreneurs. They are true catalysts for growth.”

Glain Roberts-McCabe, The Roundtable

WINNER

Meet Winner Marjorie Dixon

Founded in 2016, Anova Fertility and Reproductive Health is committed to making the right to family accessible to everyone. As a doctor in reproductive medicine who had been through the system for assisted fertility personally, Marjorie Dixon saw inequality for different segments of the population, service that was lacking in providing care to women, and gaps in innovative, evidence-based treatment options. She knew it could be done better. Currently reporting twice the Canadian standard rate of success per cycle, Anova’s growth has been substantial: from a clinic of 8 employees to a full-IVF centre with a team of over 80.

NOMINEE

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Meet Finalist Caroline Roberts

When Caroline Roberts co-founded Thoth Technology in 2001, she saw a market opportunity in Canada’s vibrant space sector, providing services to validate equipment for spaceflight. The space and defense company now has three divisions — Space Tracking and Navigation, Space Test, and Space Systems — with a headquarters at the Algonquin Radio Observatory (ARO). It’s here you’ll find Earthfence, the world’s first commercial deep space radar, which utilizes a 1,500 tonne antenna to track satellites in a 50,000 km range — the equivalent of detecting an insect at a range of 500 km.