Tuesday, May 30, 2023, marked the date for the inaugural Canadian Women Entrepreneur (CWE) industry Gala which took place at HISTORY Toronto.
Together we celebrated Canada's leading companies' influential programs, campaigns, and CSR initiatives that have paved the way for a more equal and diverse ecosystem for women in business.
CWE industry gala-an industry-wide shift that calls for action from leading brands and successful women to help the women before and after them.
It was an unforgettable evening filled with brilliance, inspiration and a reset for the future of women in business. What a night!
As we continue to build an ecosystem where every woman has a seat at the table, let us celebrate and support one another. Representation matters introductions matter, connections matter.
20-foot Red Carpet Experience
The red carpet reception was filled with Canada's top executives, influential businesswomen, creators, and media in one place, united by a common mission.
Check out the full Red Carpet Gallery
Business & Bottles Networking Lounge sponsored by Total Mom Inc
A Night of Unforgettable Moments
A very special thank you to our incredible host & MC Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson for holding the space for us to be touched, moved and inspired, followed by opening remarks from Anna Sinclair - Founder & CEO of Total Mom Inc, the presenting sponsor of the gala.
The evening featured speakers, including our keynote Vinaya Sharma - Founder, Coder, AI and Blockchain Developer, as well as a special report by Meagan Trush - Associate Director, Partnership Development & Stewardship AND Shay Lowe - Program Manager from WEKH, on the Intersection of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship report that Total Mom Inc and WEKH partnered on.
Special Performances:
Shout out to our performers Anna Sinclair, Zakisha Brown, Jully Black and Kardinal Official, who took the 80-foot stage and crushed it. I am honoured to have shared the stage with you and performed for the first time in over 6.5 years!
See the full gallery here
Photographer credits : @maitilson / @avanpatel_ / @kidsnapz
Celebrating CWE Winners
The CWE Gala was a platform to honour the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations dedicated to empowering women. The winners, twelve remarkable companies, were recognized for their unwavering commitment to gender equality and exceptional societal contributions.
Their passion, innovation, and resilience have shattered barriers and will continue to inspire others to take action. Let us celebrate their triumphs and draw inspiration from their extraordinary journeys.
CWE Award Winners:
Community Women's Health & Wellbeing
Interac - click the photo for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech (coming soon). Our team is updating this epic video.
Canadian Centre for Women’s Empowerment - click the photo for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
GreenShield Cares - click the photo for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
Empowering Women in Business
PARO Centre For Women's Enterprise - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
The DMZ - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
BDC - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
Centre for Women in Business - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
Gender Equality in the Workplace
Pinterest - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
EllisDon - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
Women Get on Board - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
WBE Canada - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
TD - click for a detailed recap and video of the acceptance speech
See the full gallery here
Canada's Total Mom Pitch: Unleashing the Power of Mom Entrepreneurs
One of the highlights of the evening was Canada's Total Mom Pitch presented by TD, where five founders pitched their businesses to 11 executive judges.
The top five finalists took to the stage, showcasing their innovative business ideas and captivating the audience with passion and determination. After much anticipation, a winner emerged, Aeryon Ashlie from Aeryon Wellness.
Her victory is a testament to mom entrepreneurs' extraordinary talent and resilience.
The Top 5 with Anna Sinclair | Founder & CEO of Total Mom Inc.
Melanie Cote - Do Good Donuts
Karen Richard - Made Live
Aeryon Ashlie - Aeryon Wellness
Anna Sinclair - Total Mom Inc
Guita Yazdani - Campertunity
Crystal Wood - U Grow Girl
Recognition Award Winners in the Pitch Included:
joni – Design for Success Award by Vista
Shine Transformation Services – Most Transformational Business Award by huumans
The Bread App – Bell Digital Innovation Award
WeApply – Black Moms Connection Village Award
Boxing4Health – IP Star Award by Henry Brooks LLP
EMKAO Foods – TD Social Enterprise Award
Well Bebe – Social Media Champion Award by North Road Digital
Thank you to our partners who came together to support the #CWEgala2023. More special features & blogs to come covering all aspects of the event in more detail. Stay tuned.
Bell Media | CWE Media Partner
Canadian Tire | CWE National Partner
Caribou Gifts | CWE Packaging Partner
The Influence Agency | CWE
Baskits | CWE Corporate Gifting Partner
Amex | Business Card Partner
Dentons | CWE Dedicated Legal Partner
North Road Digital | Digital Advertising Firm Partner
Google | CWE Recognition Awards Selection Committee
Hello Forever | CWE Photo Experience Partner
Magnetic Staffing | CWE Staffing Partner
Maverick | PR & Media Accreditation Partner
One King West | CWE Hotel Partner
Protexxa | CWE Cybersecurity Partner
Sinclair Creative Agency | Creative Branding Agency Partner
Sleeping Giant Brewing | CWE Beer Partner
Canada’s Podcast | CWE Podcast Partner
Barterpay | Dedicated Impact Partner
Special thank you to our VIP GIFTING EXPERIENCE; spin the wheel with Baskits & VIP Bag Partners packaged by Caribou Gifts featuring women-owned brands from the top 100 semi-finalists in #totalmompitch.
Partners: Michael Kors, High On Love, Jamieson, Hillberg & Berk, Ponyback, Canine Friendly, Joni, MisMack, Deanne Gagnon, Fran Murray, Nothing Cleaner, Tanis Emmett.
Interested in participating in the 2024 CWE industry gala? Contact info@cwegala.com for all nomination, sponsorship, speaking and performance opportunities!
We can’t wait to see 2024 nominees and look forward to next year's Gala!