TORONTO – Women of Influence Inc. is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2013 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards (CWEA) program. Approximately 3,000 women entrepreneurs from coast to coast were nominated for this year’s award. All 18 finalists will be honoured, and the six award winners will be announced at the 21st Annual Awards Gala, hosted by Diane Francis, editor-at-large for the Financial Post, on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.
The RBC CWEA recognizes women entrepreneurs from across Canada who make impressive contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy. Nominees 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.
“It’s a privilege to recognize and celebrate the successes and achievements of this group of outstanding Canadian women entrepreneurs,” says Andrea Bolger, executive vice president, Business Financial Services, RBC. “Their passion, vision and commitment are second to none, and are truly inspirational to current and aspiring entrepreneurs.”
All nominees are required to submit thorough applications, which are reviewed by a panel of prominent business leaders and subject to a due diligence performed by Deloitte Private Client Services.
The 2013 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Finalists are:
Deloitte Start-Up Award
West: Lisa Tuningley, President, T-RAIL Products Inc.
Central: Michele Romanow, Co-Founder, Buytopia.ca
East: Lorelei Woolridge, President and Owner, Optique Boutique Inc.
HKMB HUB Impact Award
West: Paige Larson, President and CEO, North Shore Sports Medicine
Central: Barbara Courte-Elinesky, President, North Star Drilling Ltd.
East: Judith Bobbitt, President, Oceans Ltd.
RBC Momentum Award
West: Christina Forth- Matthews, President and CEO, AOG International
Central: Victoria Sopik & Jennifer Nashmi, CEO and Co-Founder / CFO and Co-Founder, Kids & Company
East: Marie- Josée Gagnon, President and Founder, CASACOM
TPH Sustainability Award
West: Janice Cheam, President & CEO, Energy Aware Technology Inc.
Central: Annette Noronha, President and CFO, A.Net Solutions Inc.
East: Tamara Barker Watson, CEO, Whitestone Developments Ltd.
TELUS Trailblazer Award
West: Shannon Rogers, President & General Counsel, Global Relay
Central: Rose Keunen, Chief Financial Officer, Henro Dairy Farms
East: Jenny Kierstead, Founder and President, Breathing Space Yoga Studio
PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship
West: Suzanne Lee West, President and CEO, Black Shire Energy Inc.
Central: Sherri Stevens, President, Stevens Resource Group
East: Jacqueline Farrow, President, Jacqueline Farrow Law Office Inc.
The 2013 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are presented by RBC in partnership with Deloitte, HKMB Hub International, TELUS, The Printing House and PROFIT Magazine and supported by Cisco.
“We are proud to celebrate the most inspiring women entrepreneurs in Canada,” said Carolyn Lawrence, president and CEO, Women of Influence Inc. “By recognizing them at the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Gala, we hope to build their success, provide exposure for Canada’s diverse array of entrepreneurial talent, and provide more female role models for future leaders.”