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THE GALA EXPERIENCE
An unforgettable, white-glove industry experience at HISTORY Toronto, a 40,000-square-foot concert hall. Indulge in a delectable 3-course meal, open bar, signature cocktails, champagne, branded activations and live musical performances. Stroll down our 20-foot red carpet for exclusive interviews, then settle in for an incredible 80-foot stage experience featuring motivational speeches, a founder's pitch competition, recognition awards, and much more. Don't forget to stop by the gifting lounge to take home some unique treasures from successful women-owned brands!
Uniting Visionaries, Inspiring Change: An Extraordinary Awards Gala Fostering Connections Between Influential Leaders and Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Celebrating Music, Art, and Innovation, as We Drive Equal Opportunities Across Industries
2023 vibes
Each year will feature exciting surprises and special guest appearances from creators, musicians, media personalities, influencers, award-winning entrepreneurs, big brands and founders.
HOST/MC
Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson
Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, a dynamic powerhouse of a human. She is an award winning leader and technology professional with more than 25 years in the I.T. space, she has held a variety of progressively senior roles within various organizations including Associate Vice President, Technology Solutions at TD Bank Group, Director, Data Center Operations at Rogers Communications; Delivery Project Executive at IBM; and most recently, Vice President, Technology Operations & Services and Cloud Transformation at Export Development Canada (EDC) – but that's not all.
Nkechi is an entrepreneur, author, professional bodybuilder, podcast host, and inspirational speaker whose "You Matter" speech went viral on several motivational platforms, with well over 10M views and thousands of times worldwide. She has a magnetic personality that serves everyone she meets in the most uplifting way.
In her current role as Vice President, Technology Operations & Services at EDC, she leads a large and diverse team of technology professionals, responsible for all infrastructure and operations delivery needs at EDC. Along with her team, she is driving the modernization of EDC’s network and transformation of their Data Centre Services to Cloud.
FOUNDER
Anna Sinclair
Anna Sinclair is an award-winning businesswoman, angel investor, agency owner, and CEO of Total Mom Inc. Recognized as WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women In Canada, Anthem winner (Webby’s) and her 16 years of entertainment; the music industry and event production experience allow her to jump-start any project and consult organizations in sales, celebrity partnerships, events and program development.
Anna connects founders, women, startups, investors, and brands together.
She produced Canada’s largest holistic festival for moms called “The Total Mom Show” in partnership with some of North America’s largest brands. She grew a massive community network of working moms. This online e-learning education community platform helps women grow, start and grow their businesses with a focus on increasing social and financial capital through a profitable and sustainable business model.
Today, Total Mom has an annual reach of 24M + in Canada & US, supporting ambitious founders through a community of 20k+ moms. This makes it known as one of the fastest-growing online professional networks of mom entrepreneurs.
Her experience working with over 350+ brands gives her the knowledge and experience to touch any aspect of a project from top to bottom. Anna consults through her firm, Sinclair Creative Agency Inc., advising individuals and consumer lifestyle brands on branding, business strategy, content marketing, and asset development.
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RED CARPET CORRESPONDENT
Brigitte Truong
Brigitte Truong has become a go-to source in Canada for the latest trends in lifestyle and entertainment as a Multimedia Host, Producer and forward-thinking digital content creator. Her interview style and relatable storytelling over the past 15 years have garnered the attention of some of the largest global lifestyle brands. She's currently the American host of Sister Cities on USA TODAY and CICC in China. Her latest podcast, Homegirl Nation, is celebrating its second season and a new batch of courageous women who are unafraid to do and talk about tough things that honour their truth. With an unwavering commitment to sharing diverse stories and perspectives, Brigitte's work in front of and behind the camera aims to educate and inspire female self-starters like herself to create and live with purpose.
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LUXE COCKTAIL NETWORKING RECEPTION
Join us for an elegant cocktail reception, where you'll enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres, crisp champagne, exquisite photography, signature cocktails, and invaluable industry networking opportunities. It's sure to be an unforgettable evening of sophistication and connection.
80-FOOT STAGE
Prepare for an unforgettable 80-foot stage experience, complete with awards ceremonies, inspiring speeches, live entertainment, unforgettable moments, and surprise guests. This powerful event promises to be a highlight of the evening, leaving you feeling energized and inspired.
20-FOOT RED CARPET EXPERIENCE
Get ready for a 20-foot red carpet and media extravaganza, complete with red carpet photography, exclusive interviews, and special moments that capture the influential voices of powerful businesswomen, top brands, award winners, influencers, and industry leaders. This unforgettable media experience is sure to be a highlight of the event!
WOMEN MUSIC SHOWCASE
A celebration of talented and diverse women in the music industry. Our showcase will feature musical guests from different backgrounds and genres. Together, these women represent the rich diversity of talent in the music industry. They're each breaking down barriers and challenging expectations in their own way. Enjoy the 80-foot stage experience and light show from your seat or our VIP lounge or bar.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Vinaya Sharma is a 17-year-old AI and blockchain developer known for her innovative projects in NLP, sustainable energy, and mental health. She has received multiple awards and recognition for her exceptional work, including receiving the Ingenious+ Regional Award, the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing Honorable Mention, the Rise 2023 global finalist title among much more. Vinaya aims to create a positive impact on society using her skills in AI, web development, and engineering.
CWE AWARDS | LEADING COMPANIES
The CWE Awards recognize 12 outstanding companies that are champions of women, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through their programs and initiatives. With winners across 4 categories, these awards highlight the remarkable efforts being made to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
DELICIOUS 3- COURSE MEAL
Indulge in a delectable 3-course meal, expertly served with bread service, bottled wine, and champagne by Toronto's top catering team, The Food Dudes. These award-winning professionals are renowned for their exceptional culinary expertise, making for an unforgettable dining experience.
WOMEN MUSIC SHOWCASE
Zakisha Brown
Zakisha Brown, was born in Toronto, Canada and is of Jamaican descent. She is a Hip Hop Artist that has gone global due to her infamous songs “Purpose”, “Went to Ghana”and “The Shift”. In hip hop she believes in the importance of substance in music, delivery, self-development and the urgency of the stories we are telling through our art. She has opened for artists such as Talib Kweli, Dru Hill and Nas at Yonge & Dundas stage and the influential and infamous Saul Williams.She is working on her first album in Accra Ghana to be released in 2023.
WOMEN MUSIC SHOWCASE
DJ Lissa Monet
There’s no mistaking, DJ Lissa Monet rocks parties. And although she is somewhat selective of the events she spins at, she is pretty versatile and open-minded about the events she is hired for. Lissa has been influenced by musical legends such as Jay Z, Beyonce, Frank Sinatra, Aaliyah, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Hall & Oates mixed along with music from her Caribbean upbringing and a unique passion for album liner notes.
A one-of-a-kind talent, DJ Lissa Monet has captivated tastemakers, influencers, partygoers, and music lovers with ego-free talent that delivers the right music and vibe to events with modesty and intelligence.
Obsessed with all things design, her branded mixes and playlists are crafted with intention and precision are popular with those who like to listen to music while they work; and her mixes are still very popular and can be found exclusively HERE.
VIP GIFTING FEATURING DIVERSE WOMEN-OWNED BRANDS
We're excited to offer every guest an exceptional gifting experience, featuring an array of incredible products from diverse women-owned brands. Let's come together to support, champion, and purchase from these remarkable founders!
Canada's Total Mom Pitch Finale
Be a part of the excitement as the top five finalists in Canada's Total Mom Pitch pitch their businesses live in front of the country's leading C-suite executives, all competing for the grand prize of a $50,000 grant and essential business services. The program features mini-recognition awards after the pitches winner's cheque presentation & special guest remarks. Visit www.totalmompitch.ca to learn more about the finalists, judges, and partners.
DESSERT, MINGLING AND AFTERPARTY NETWORKING GOODBYES
Delight in mouth-watering passed desserts and savory late-night appetizers, and continue the party with a networking event after the main event. Take home our powerful program that features our guest and wait for some post gala surprise emails :)