WCM Awards

Recognizing Leaders of Change in Finance

The WCM Awards recognize exemplary individuals and firms in the financial industry. WCM has been recognizing trailblazing leaders since 2007. A full history of our award recipients can be found here.

These industry leaders share an inspiring vision for the future: an equal workplace. A mission that can harness the full potential of the talent pool - a future of better ideas, stronger teams, improved businesses and new levels of prosperity. These awards recognize women rising through the ranks into senior leadership, outstanding volunteers that contribute to the work of WCM, innovators in the diversity and inclusion space, and transformational leaders.

WCM Awards

Application DETAILS

Rising Star & Outstanding Volunteer Awards:

Resume Submission
A 500 word (max) letter outlining the nominee's achievements and how they meet the specific award criteria. Please provide examples of initiatives, efforts, programs and/or policies that showcase their achievements

Excellence in Innovation Awards:

500 word (max) letter outlining the nominee's achievements/initiative and how they meet the specific award criteria.

Transformational Leadership Awards:

Nominee’s current bio and/or resume
500 word (max) letter outlining the candidate's achievements and how they meet the specific award criteria. Please provide examples of initiatives, efforts, programs and/or policies that showcase their achievements.
One additional letter of support from senior leadership, supporting your nomination of this candidate for this award and reinforcing how the candidate meets the award criteria.

*Nominations and self-nominations are permitted.

KEY DATES

September 19, 2022: Nominations Open

October 21, 2022: Nominations Close

December 7, 2022: Awards Reception

AWARDS CATEGORIES | CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

+ × WCM Rising Star Award
Recognizes up to five high-performing female professionals who have demonstrated professional excellence, and on the path to becoming future leaders in finance. Candidates are strong advocates for gender diversity and inclusion in their workplace and have undertaken efforts to improve gender equality by educating their peers, engaging men as allies, and/or actively supporting the advancement of other women in the industry.

ELIGIBILITY
- Mid level female professionals (approximately 4-12 years of experience)
- Must be a WCM member
- Currently working in the Canadian finance industry
- Employed at a WCM sponsor firm
Note: WCM Board Members are not eligible for this award.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

Nominees are judged based on the following:
1. Performance: How has the nominee excelled in her career to date? Has her performance surpassed the expectations of her role?
2. Leadership: Has the nominee demonstrated strong and moral leadership and people skills? Does she display a commitment to transparency, accountability and measurability? Does she motivate and inspire others? Does she set a strong example to other female professionals?
3. Impact: How has the nominee contributed to improving gender diversity on her team, department or firm? How has she supported the advancement of other women and encourage men to be allies? Has she contributed to creating a culture of diversity, inclusion, transparency and accountability?
4. Ambition: Does the nominee have clear, strong career ambitions for advancement into a leadership role?
+ × WCM Outstanding Volunteer Award
Awarded to up to two volunteers who have surpassed the typical expectations of a WCM volunteer. The volunteer will have demonstrated impressive leadership and initiative, setting an exceptional example to other volunteers. With an elevated commitment to improving gender diversity and inclusion and championing WCM’s mission. Candidates contribute significantly to increasing WCM’s reach and impact, building strong relationships, delivering relevant programming, and generally furthering our mission to accelerate the progress of diversity and inclusion in capital markets.

ELIGIBILITY
- Has held a WCM volunteer position for a minimum of two years
- Must be a WCM member
Note: WCM Board Members are not eligible for this award.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Nominees are judged based on the following:
1. Leadership & Initiative: How has the nominee taken on a leadership role with a WCM Steering Committee, surpassed the typical expectations of a volunteer, and led by example?
2. Impact: How has the volunteer made a significant impact in their time with WCM? How have their efforts resulted in increasing the reach and impact of WCM projects and initiatives? How have they contributed to advancing WCM’s mission (have their efforts increased membership, WCM’s profile, important strategic relationships, impactful programming, etc)?
+ × WCM Award for Excellence in Innovation
Awarded to up to two people, groups, departments or firms that have taken bold steps to improve diversity and inclusion through a new and innovative approach. Regardless of whether the initiative yielded the desired results, these recipients have attempted to approach diversity and inclusion innovatively, with a comprehensive and thoughtful strategy that is results-driven, with measurability and accountability as key components.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Nominees are judged based on the following:
1. Leadership & Initiative: How has the nominee/firm taken a significant leadership role in improving gender diversity within their group, department or firm and role-modeled outstanding leadership to others? How has the nominee/firm led by example, set the tone around gender diversity and inclusion to their peers?
2. Innovation: How has the nominee/firm taken a new approach to gender diversity and found ways to innovate and affect change?
3. Intention & Outcome: How did the nominee/firm develop a comprehensive strategy with defined goals, tactics and measurable outcomes? How did the approach display transparency, accountability and measurability?
Note: WCM Board Members are not eligible for this award.
+ × WCM Transformational Leadership Award
Recognizes up to two notable senior leaders who have made significant, impactful, and measurable contributions to improving gender and racial equity and inclusion at their firm. Candidates demonstrate equity literacy, have contributed to the amplification or advancement of diverse talent internally, and/or are working toward building more equitable and inclusive practices, policies and culture. Candidates have cultivated equity awareness amongst their peers, and/or influenced their workplaces by inspiring their team members and management to actively contribute toward building a more equitable workplace. This award is open to candidates of any gender identity, including gender non-conforming persons.

ELIGIBILITY
- Employed at a WCM sponsor firm
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Nominees are judged based on the following:
1. Leadership & Initiative: How has the nominee exceeded what was expected of them* and delivered significant contribution and role-modeled outstanding leadership to others? How has the nominee led by example, set the tone around gender diversity and inclusion, and motivated peer groups and colleagues to contribute to building a culture of increased diversity and inclusion?
2. Impact: How has the nominee’s efforts affected significant change and improved gender diversity in their team, department or firm? How did they shift culture and management to become more inclusive and aware of gender diversity and inclusion?
3. Innovation: How has the nominee taken a new approach to gender diversity and found new ways to innovate and affect change?
4. Intention & Outcome: How did the nominee develop a comprehensive strategy with clear goals, tactics and measurable outcomes?
*The nominee has demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion beyond sponsorship, mentorship and participation in internal women’s groups.

Note: WCM Board Members are not eligible for this award.