BC Business
Nominate yourself or another outstanding business leader by January 15, 2024
It’s official: we’re now accepting nominations for our fourth annual Women of the Year awards. The BCBusiness WOTY awards honour outstanding female entrepreneurs and business executives in seven categories: leader, entrepreneurial leader, innovator, community builder, change maker, rising star and champion of equity and inclusion.
Part 1: Apply through an online form that can be accessed here. The form will not save automatically, so we suggest completing your answers in a separate document first. You can nominate yourself or nominate someone else. Fill in answers for the categories you’d like to apply for, and leave the others blank.
Part 2: Email a letter of support from the nominee’s current or former work colleague, business partner or mentor to managing editor Alyssa Hirose at ahirose@canadawide.com. The letter of support can be written by the nominator only if you are not nominating yourself.
APPLY NOW FOR THE 2024 WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
The deadline for entries has been extended to January 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
If you have any questions about the application process, email Alyssa at ahirose@canadawide.com.
Important note:If a nominee becomes a Women of the Year finalist, we will use the information from the nomination form and interview to prepare a profile for potential publication in the May 2024 issue of BCBusiness. If you provide financial, personal and other details that you wish to keep on background or off the record, it is your responsibility to let us know. BCBusiness makes every effort to ensure accuracy, but we do not share stories with sources before publication.
We have seven categories in this year’s competition. This is the information that our panel of judges will be looking for as they review applications.
Leader How has the nominee demonstrated vision and leadership throughout their career and in their current position? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who have shown consistent excellence by adapting to change, motivating people and moving their organization forward. Examples include launching and/or leading an established business, filling senior leadership roles with several organizations and heading an industry or professional association with significant influence.
Entrepreneurial Leader As an entrepreneur, how has the nominee shown leadership, determination and resourcefulness? This category is open to business founders/owners or executives who don’t shy away from a challenge. Examples include building their organization from the ground up, steering the business through tough times and pivoting to a new market.
Innovator What innovations or creative approaches has the nominee introduced? How have they broken new ground? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who show exceptional ingenuity. Examples include leading the development of an innovative product or service, tapping a significant new market and introducing new ways of working that improve productivity and/or profitability.
Community Builder In what ways does the nominee contribute to the community? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who have made a local impact, forged ties with fellow organizations or otherwise brought people together. Examples include partnering and engaging with marginalized groups, founding an industry association and creating a community for people with similar professional interests.
Change Maker How has the nominee driven positive change, whether it’s in B.C. or beyond? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who strive to build a better world. Examples include spearheading or overseeing a product or service that improves people’s lives, launching a business that creates opportunities for disadvantaged or marginalized groups and helping solve a major social problem.
Equity and Inclusion Champion How has the nominee addressed and promoted equity and inclusion in their organization? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who have sought to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and heard. Examples include building a robust diversity and inclusion program; helping advance the careers of employees who are Black, Indigenous and people of colour; and establishing clear metrics to show the results of their efforts.
Rising Star What has the nominee accomplished in their early career that sets them apart and indicates potential for future success? This category is open to business founders/owners and private or public sector employees who show great promise. Examples include launching and leading a successful company, differentiating their product or service in a competitive market and showing leadership qualities beyond their years.
To read about the 2023 WOTY winners, click here.
To read about the 2022 WOTY winners, click here.
To read about the 2021 WOTY winners, click here.