NOMINATIONS
AWARD CATEGORIES
The Women in Finance Awards Canada have been postponed to 2021. If you would like to be notified when nomination re-open for next year, please register your interest here.
ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR
An accountancy professional who has consistently met or exceeded challenging objectives to ensure the highest quality of provision of accountancy and related services. The award is based on achievements made in the period 1 January 2018 – 1 January 2019.
ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR
A woman that has gone out of her way to support the cause of getting more female representation in senior levels and stamping out barriers to growth for women in financial services.
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR
This category celebrates the individual who has achieved a long-term impact on the way people and organizations think about and practice gender diversity. The Ambassador of the Year will be a prominent person in business and/or financial services who publicly champions gender parity in the sector. The Ambassador of the Year is ambitious, bold, daring, charismatic, and unabashedly dedicated to encouraging women in the sector to grow.
D&I LEADER OF THE YEAR
A D&I leader (male or female) at a financial services company who has gone out of her/his way in the last 18 months to support the cause of increasing diversity in the workplace. Efforts to increase diversity could include initiatives for making technology workforces a more inclusive environment for people of different genders, races, sexual orientations, cultures, disabilities and backgrounds. Judges will assess the diversity initiatives the candidates have pioneered, including their impact on the business, as well as demonstrations of being a positive role model, attracting (and retaining) a more diverse workforce, and generally making the workplace a more inclusive environment.
DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR
An individual who has reinvigorated gender diversity in the financial services industry by providing new and innovative ways to improve the gender balance in the sector across levels.
DIVERSITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
This award category is open to organizations that have undertaken a specific initiative that has been established to promote diversity within their organization or the wider community. These could involve the gender pay gap, paternal leave, gender parity in the industry, etc. Judges will assess commitment to the cause, awareness raised, impact on the organization and/or industry, and ultimate results of the initiative. Submissions should include the name of the initiative.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
a company that has proactively cultivated an inclusive and diverse workforce, aiming to achieve equal gender representation at all levels. The judges will be looking for examples of professional training and advancement, ways to boosted morale and implemented programmes to increase the well-being of employees.
ESG FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes a woman who has actively looked to promote gender diversity in the asset management industry, while at the same time demonstrating skill as an active investor in ESG themselves. Submission to include 3y performance statistics from an independently verifiable source.
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (LED BY A WOMAN)
A finance team, led by a woman, that has delivered real value – with tangible business results – to a company. Judges will look at projects and achievements, along with examples of best practice, leadership, ROI generated and alignment to business goals. The award is based on achievements made in the past 24 months.
FINTECH CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
The most innovative fintech project. Please outline what problem your project is trying to solve and what steps/progress so far you have achieved in solving this. Also, outline the project’s potential and how it can reach critical mass. Highlight any particularly innovative features.
INSURANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR
This award is open to the strongest senior-level contender in the insurance sector who has an outstanding track record in attracting and managing clients and bringing in successful deals. It is also open to women in senior diversity-specific roles. Judges will be looking for nominees who have demonstrated exceptional leadership.
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR
A female independent or in-house investment consultant that has broken down barriers to advancement in the company and/or wider financial sector, as well as paving the way for diversity in leadership. The award is based on achievements made in the past 24 months.
LEGAL ADVISER OF THE YEAR
The corporate lawyer or in-house legal counsel that has broken down barriers to advancement in the firm and wider legal sector, as well as paving the way for diversity in leadership. The award is based on achievements made in the past 24 months.
MALE ALLY OF THE YEAR
A senior male figure who has gone out of his way to improve the diversity levels of women in finance, within the organisation and/or in the wider community. Successful nominations must provide case studies or examples of how the candidate has gone of his way, or strategically prioritised, getting more women into finance and/or supporting them in their career.
RETAIL BANKER OF THE YEAR
The most influential and inspirational woman in retail banking, who has overseen strong financial performance and successfully guided the bank in best business practices, expansion into new markets, or innovation in terms of new products or services. The award is based on achievements made in the period 1 January 2019 – 1 January 2020.
SPECIALIST INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
This award is open to a woman who is an investor at a private equity, venture capital, business angel or alternative investment groups. The winner of this award will be a role model for women in a wide range of disciplines. The award is based on achievements made in the past 24 months.
WEALTH MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the standout wealth manager who has achieved outstanding returns while championing financial inclusivity. The award is based on achievements made in the last 18 months.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The inspiring leader who has challenged, influenced or revolutionised the culture of the financial services sector. A woman who has demonstrated the highest degree of finance excellence, innovation and leadership in the last year, and shone a light on the great things women in finance can achieve. Candidates should not only have demonstrated outstanding business achievements, but also acted as a positive role model and actively sought to bring more diversity to the financial industry.
YOUNG LEADER OF THE YEAR
The best and brightest woman in the first five years of working within the financial services industry. Judges will be looking for nominees who have an inspiring story to tell.
FAQs
Who can nominate for these Awards?
You can nominate yourself or your colleagues/peers. Do include performance information that the judges can verify when needed.
How do I nominate?
You can nominate in as many categories as you deem appropriate.
Please use the criteria (listed below) of the category you wish to enter to shape your written submission, as the judges will refer to each criteria to guide their decisions. You should submit an essay style submission which should be 400-600 words.
The more factual information and stats you can provide for any of these questions, the better your chances on being a finalist on the shortlist. The submission should cover achievements in the day-to-job as well as prove advocacy of gender diversity.
What is the involved cost?
There is no cost to enter for the awards. There is a cost if you wish to attend the awards dinner. This also applies to people who are shortlisted. As all nominees who wish to attend need to purchase a ticket.
If you are shortlisted and for some reason cannot attend the the dinner, it will NOT affect your chances of winning the award you are shortlisted for.
Who judges the submissions?
An independent panel of judges will consider each nomination and vote on the winners for each category 2-4 weeks before the awards gala dinner.
Who shall I contact if I have any more questions?
If you need further assistance please contact us via email: event.ops@bonhillplc.com