2021 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Winners Announced
Seven outstanding female entrepreneur winners awarded following another record-breaking year.
TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2021 /CNW/ - The 29th annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, presented by Women of Influence, announces seven winners of the 2021 awards. These award winners join the five recipients of the up-and-coming entrepreneur Ones to Watch award category, which was announced in September of this year.
The winners in each of the award categories are leaders who have not only risen to the challenge of the past two and a half years but who have continued to be the backbone of the Canadian economy in a time when it was needed most. This year's cohort of recipients spans sectors that include media, venture capital management, apparel, construction, medical services, cybersecurity and beyond.
This year, in recognition of the incredible growth of the overall program, the Social Change category has been expanded. This award has now grown to include two categories: Social Change: Regional Impact, which recognizes a leader of a registered charity, social enterprise or not-for-profit that is dedicated to their unique brand of social change at a local or regional level; and Social Change: National Impact, which recognizes those whose organization has national or global impact.
"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. Our ongoing commitment to the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards is one of the many ways in which we proudly continue to support them by recognizing and promoting their inspiring stories. 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 its 29th year, the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards program recognizes the country's leading female entrepreneurs who have made impressive and substantial contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy. The judging panel of the awards program is comprised of 16 judges who are notably some of Canada's top business leaders, including: Raymonde Lavoie, President DesArts Communications; Julie Cole, Co-Founder and Senior Director Public Relations Mabel's Labels Inc.; Surranna Sandy, CEO Skills for Change; Elizabeth Dipchand, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Dipchand LLP and Sagal Dualeh, Director of the Investment Readiness Program, Canadian Women's Foundation.
The official announcement of the 2021 award winners was made on November 17th via live broadcast of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards gala. The gala, hosted by Marcia MacMillan, Anchor, CTV News Channel, was a live awards broadcast which transported guests from coast to coast where they met the Ones to Watch Recipients and Award Finalists in their hometowns and cities.
This year, a record-breaking 10,458 nominations were received recognizing women entrepreneurs from across the country. The 2021 award winners are:
- Evelyne Nyairo, Ellie Bianca, Calgary, AB, Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub Micro-Business Award
- Hyla Nayeri and Adrien Bettio, 437, Toronto, ON, Start-Up Award
- Anna Sainsbury, GeoComply, Vancouver, BC, RBC Momentum Award
- Dr. Lloydetta Quaicoe, Sharing Our Cultures Incorporated, St. John's NL, Bell Social Change Award: Regional Impact
- Katherine Hay, Kids Help Phone, Toronto, ON, Bell Social Change Award: National Impact
- Michele Romanow, Clearco, Toronto, ON, Innovation Award
- Dr. Janét Aizenstros, Ahava Digital Group, Kitchener, ON, Excellence Award
The Gala also honoured the recipients of the Ones to Watch Award: Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, OYA Media Group; Esther Vlessing, Canada Emergency Medical Manufacturers; Naomi Blackman and Mikayla Wujec, alder apparel; Marie-Claude Desjardins, Hardware Rebels; Julianna Tan and Shawnda Blacklock, The Little Market Box.
"We are honoured to recognize the incredible achievements of this year's award recipients," says Alicia Skalin, Co-CEO & Head of Events, Women of Influence. "These women have faced the uncertainties of 2021 head-on and have found innovative ways to scale and grow their businesses. The economic impact they have had on our country during turbulent times has been nothing short of remarkable.''
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 26th year, is one of North America's leading organizations offering solutions for workplace gender equality and women's advancement. Through our global events, digital media, signature awards, and consulting, Women of Influence reaches a diverse community of professional women and men across Canada and internationally. Providing insights and inspiration, perspectives on key issues, and creating opportunities to connect — we are making change happen for women, today. Our signature programs include the Top 25 Women of Influence Awards and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. For more information, please visit www.womenofinfluence.com
SOURCE Women of Influence Inc.
For interview requests or further information please contact: Amanda Kruzich, Women of Influence, 416 456 8633, [email protected]; Yuri Park, RBC, [email protected]
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