That’s A Wrap On the 2023 CWE Industry Gala!

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

#HypeWomen

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.

1. Melanie Cote - Do Good Donuts

2. Karen Richard - Made Live

3. Aeryon Ashlie - Aeryon Wellness

4. Anna Sinclair - Total Mom Inc

5. Guita Yazdani - Campertunity

6. Crystal Wood - U Grow Girl

Recognition Award Winners in the Pitch Included:

1. joni – Design for Success Award by Vista

2. Shine Transformation Services – Most Transformational Business Award by huumans

3. The Bread App – Bell Digital Innovation Award

4. WeApply – Black Moms Connection Village Award

5. Boxing4Health – IP Star Award by Henry Brooks LLP

6. EMKAO Foods – TD Social Enterprise Award

7. 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

• The Elleiance Network | 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!

#cwegala2023 #Canadianwomenentrepreneurs