WBE Canada Excellence Awards

Excellence Awards Mobile Banner Header_768px x 384px

WBE CANADA EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Recognizing the accomplishments of Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBES)

Celebrating the impact of corporate and government Supplier Diversity Initiatives

Recognizing Champions, Change Makers and Leaders in Supplier Diversity in Canada

WALL OF FAME

2022 · 2021 · 2020 · 2019 · 2018

WBE Canada's Annual Excellence Awards celebrate accomplishments in supplier diversity in Canada and recognize Canada's most distinguished women entrepreneurs who are making an impact in corporate and government supply chains in Canada and abroad.

Each year the call for nominations for the Excellence Awards is opened up to our certified WBE community, Corporate and Government member organizations, partners and the public who can then submit their nominations for the various awards under their respective categories.

WBE Canada values the incredible contributions of our community

Each contribution makes a significant impact on the success of women-owned businesses and supplier diversity in Canada.

Nominations For The 2023 Excellence Awards Are Now Open!

NOMINATE SOMEONE

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

AWARD CATEGORIES

Certified WBE

Corporate Member

Open to All

CERTIFIED WBE MEMBER

Presented by:

Top WBE Supplier

This award recognizes a certified women-owned business which demonstrated excellence in business and support for other women owned businesses. The recipient of this award achieved business growth, impacted the economy and showed dedication to supporting other women-owned businesses.

Company must be Certified WBE in good standing with WBE Canada
Is current on industry trends and incorporates best practices in business operations
Offers exemplary customer service
Conducts business with other women entrepreneurs

Evaluation criteria

Business Growth. How much has the business expanded YOY. Outline how the Nominee has had a measurable impact on the Canadian Economy.
Innovation. How has the Nominee demonstrated innovative thinking in her business that has resulted in success and motivated those around her to achieve success.
Career Accomplishments. What has the Nominee accomplished in her career that sets her apart. How has the Nominee served as a role model for others with regard to advancing supplier diversity in Canada? Describe activities, such as mentoring initiatives, etc., undertaken by the Nominee to advance supplier diversity in Canada.
Community Service. How has the Nominee demonstrated her commitment to the community at large through volunteer work, mentorship or financial support?
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from a Corporate Member organization that is your current customer.

Presented by:

Top WBE Exporter

This award recognizes the efforts and success of certified women-owned businesses in expanding their business globally with a strategic export plan. The recipient of this award achieved global business growth, impacted the trade economy, and leveraged supplier diversity to grow outside of Canada.

Certified WBE Company in good standing with WBE Canada
Currently exporting products or services to at least one international market (outside of Canada)
Has developed a strategic export plan for continued growth and market diversification, which includes leveraging supplier diversity as an entry strategy to new market

Evaluation criteria

Export Sales. A significant portion of the company's business comes from exporting (outside of Canada) products or services and/or significant YOY increase of export sales.
Market Presence / Diversification. The nominee must successfully export outside of Canada to at least one (or more) international market.
Leveraging supplier diversity as a strategy to enter new markets. The nominee has leveraged opportunities within the supplier diversity council to reach new markets outside of Canada including the networks, trade missions, conference, B2B meetings etc.
Strategic export. Has developed a strategic export plan and has goals to further expand globally.

Presented by:

WBE Leader

This award recognizes certified women-owned businesses that are actively engaged with WBE Canada Community or our partner organizations. The recipients significantly contribute to growth and support of other women-owned businesses in their region or industry.

Individual who works for WBE Canada Certified Company
Actively involved in WBE Canada Programs, Projects, Committees OR in region or industry
Encourages others to participate in WBE Canada programs and initiatives actively contributing to WBE community engagement

Evaluation criteria

Role Model. What activities and endeavours (eg mentoring ) has the Nominee undertaken to assist other women in her community?
Partnership. How does the Nominee demonstrate a commitment to their community?
Advocacy. What are examples of the Nominee’s accomplishments as an agent of change in making a distinct and describable difference to the advancement of Canadian women?
Encourages others to participate in WBE Canada programs and initiatives actively contributing to WBE community engagement
Impact. How has the Nominee had a measurable impact on women at the local/regional level or in her industry through either job creation, partnership with other WBEs or support for the organization(s) in the region?
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from an individual different than a nominator to support this nomination.

Presented by:

WBE Rising Star

Awarded to a certified WBE who, within their first 3 years of certification, has demonstrated significant achievements or progress. This company shows quick implementation combined with business acumen and active involvement in the WBE Canada community

Certified WBE Company within first 3 years of certification
Actively engaged and participating in WBE Canada events
Successful in landing corporate/government contracts

Evaluation criteria

New WBE. Company must be Certified WBE in good standing with WBE Canada for less than 3 years as of July 31, 2023.
Business Growth. How much has the business expanded YOY?
Success. Describe what opportunities the business has won since becoming certified.
Community Engagement. Describe how the business has engaged and participated in WBE Canada events.
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from a Corporate Member organization who is your current customer.

CORPORATE MEMBER

Presented by:

Top Corporation in Supplier Diversity

This category recognizes WBE Canada Corporate Members who are making a distinct and describable difference in the advancement of Supplier Diversity in Canada. New in 2022, this award will recognize nominations in two categories: Tier I and Tier II. The recipients of this award are organizations acting as leaders in a wide range of areas, including but not limited to growth, opportunities, visibility, and participation.

Organization must be a Corporate Member organization in good standing with WBE Canada and active supplier diversity program
Organization identifies, awards and continually increases procurement opportunities for women business owners
Demonstrated measurable improvement directly impacting Canadian WBEs

Evaluation criteria

Vision and Leadership. Please provide a description of the Corporation’s supplier diversity program. Identify diverse initiatives directed to women-owned business enterprises currently underway or planned for the future.
Diverse Spend Growth. Does the nominee track procurement with WBEs? How has the Corporation grown their purchases with women-owned businesses YOY? What is the organization’s target for the upcoming year?
Innovation. How has the Corporation demonstrated innovative thinking in creating opportunities for certified WBEs? Is there a program in place to develop supplier program initiatives encouraging current suppliers to seek certification, recognition and awards for tier companies supporting supplier diversity?
Progress. How is the Corporation Planning to further increase its support for Canadian WBEs in the upcoming years?
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from a Certified WBE company that is your current supplier.
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from a WBE Canada certified supplier.

Presented by:

Most Improved Supplier Diversity Program

This award recognizes a WBE Canada Corporate Member that has made a distinct and describable difference in their Supplier Diversity Program. The recipient of this award is an organization with measurable improvement to their procurement benefiting diverse suppliers.

Organization must be a Corporate Member in good standing with WBE Canada
Organization must track and report its diversity spend with WBEs to WBE Canada
Demonstrated measurable qualitative and/or quantitative improvement of its supplier diversity program YOY

Evaluation criteria

Vision and Leadership. Please provide a description of the Corporation’s supplier diversity program. Identify diverse initiatives directed to women-owned business enterprises currently underway or planned for the future.
Supplier Diversity Program. How has the Corporation furthered its Supplier Diversity program in the last year?
Innovation. How has the Corporation demonstrated innovative thinking in finding opportunities for Canadian WBEs?
Progress. How is the Corporation Planning to further increase its support for Canadian WBEs in the upcoming years?
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from somebody who can speak to positive change in your supplier diversity program (e.g. WBE supplier, Tier 1 supplier, internal buyer, executive leader).

Presented by:

Supplier Diversity Leader

This award recognizes a procurement professional within WBE Canada’s Corporate Membership who is a champion among peers. This individual shows tremendous leadership while leveraging innovation to advance supplier diversity. A role model internally with colleagues and externally with vendor partners, this individual is a visible champion in the supplier diversity community as well as their respective industry.

Individual who works for Corporate Member Organization
Demonstrates extraordinary leadership in promoting Canadian women owned businesses
Role model internally and externally to champion supplier diversity

Evaluation criteria

Vision and Leadership. How has the Nominee demonstrated vision and leadership in the area of Supplier Diversity?
Innovation. How has the Nominee demonstrated innovative thinking in creating and advancing opportunities for certified WBEs?
Advocacy. How has the nominee utilized their business and personal networks to create opportunities to actively support and advance supplier diversity in Canada? What has been the effect of this advocacy?
Role Model. How has the nominee served as a role model for others with regard to advancing supplier diversity in Canada? Describe activities, such as mentoring initiatives, etc., undertaken by the nominee to share their expertise and expectations of supplier diversity within corporations in Canada.
Recommendation Letter. Provide a recommendation letter from an individual other than the nominator to support this nomination.

OPEN TO ALL

Presented by:

President's Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization who has demonstrated significant contribution in supplier diversity benefiting or promoting Canadian women-owned businesses in 2023.

Individual or organization who significantly contributed to the success of supplier diversity or growth of women owned businesses in Canada. Certification or Corporate Membership are not a requirement.
Selected by WBE Canada President

Evaluation criteria

Supplier Diversity Awareness. How has the Nominee contributed to building awareness around supplier diversity in Canada, specifically focusing on the promotion of Canadian women-owned businesses?
Ecosystem Awareness. How has the Nominee contributed to the success of WBE Canada, including but not limited to opening opportunities, introductions, invitations to events and more?
Geographical Impact. How has the Nominee contributed to supplier diversity in a specific region across Canada (locally, regionally, nationally or internationally) - building awareness and buy-in with regional and local governments, women-owned businesses and more?
Recommendation Letter. Recommendation letter is preferred but not mandatory.

Presented by:

WBE Canada Champion

This award recognizes an individual or organization who demonstrates commitment to WBE Canada, namely through referring new Corporate Members or WBEs to WBE Canada or contributing to strengthening our organization and impact.

Individual or organization who significantly contributed to the success of supplier diversity or growth of women owned businesses in Canada. Certification or Corporate Membership are not a requirement.
Contributions through volunteering, speaking, mentorship, referrals and others between August 2022 and July 2023 will be considered.
Selected by WBE Canada President

Evaluation criteria

Supplier Diversity Impact. How has the Nominee contributed to improving supplier diversity in Canada?
Ecosystem Impact. How has the Nominee contributed to the success of WBE Canada and its stakeholder groups, including but not limited to strengthening the ecosystem, opening opportunities, introductions, invitations to events and more?
Innovation. How has the Nominee contributed to improvements in supplier diversity, organizational impact or success of Canadian WBEs?
Recommendation Letter. Recommendation letter is preferred but not mandatory.

Our nomination process

nomination

application

evaluation

finalist notification

finalist collateral collection

Excellence awards ceremony

Nominations For The 2023 Excellence Awards Are Now Open!

NOMINATE SOMEONE

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

FAQ

2023 Excellence Awards Timeline

Why nominate?

Who can I nominate?

2023 Excellence Awards Categories

Required Documentation

All nominations must include the following documentation, in English:

Nominator's information
Nominee's information
Nominee's relation to WBE Canada
Award selection - the form allows for single submission for multiple awards
A narrative (written by the nominator), not to exceed 500 words, in support of the nomination, addressing the following areas: (a) Significance of contributions, (b) Quality and impact of contributions, (c) Years (duration) of significant effort
One (1) letter of support from a person familiar with the nominee's achievements. Support letter cannot be written by the same person writing the narrative or individual representing the nominee's organization.

Tips for entering the awards

1. This is an opportunity
Take time to read the criteria carefully and be sure you write a relevant entry. Criteria is different for each category. Make sure you understand the entry process and have covered what the judges will be looking for.

2. Be outstanding
Award nominations are about "shouting it out". If you struggle to put achievements into words, this might not be the right time for you. Think about what you have done to add extra value. Write an exciting intro and make your best points first. Judges will often have dozens of entries to read - make sure that your nomination is filled with impressive accomplishments.

3. Back it up
Back up your facts with evidence and detail. Stay away from generic statements, use statistics and provide numbers where possible. How do you measure growth and impact? Independent feedback, especially from WBEs or Corporate Members, can be very persuasive. Including a positive sourced quote could be the difference between two strong entries. Do make sure it’s a really good quote. Quotes such as “The product was very quick and efficient” is not particularly outstanding.

4. Don’t forget the basics

Don’t send in an old entry that was written for a different set of awards. While entries for different awards might be similar, the criteria and word count will often be different.
Stick to the word count: some judges might be ok with an entry that goes slightly over but many will automatically discount entries that ignore the word count, likewise any entries that are woefully short are likely to be dismissed.
Don’t miss the deadline: try your best to be on time and if you ask for an extension be aware that late entry is likely to be marked down.
Don’t waffle and don’t waste your words: telling judges where you are based or saying things like “We are proud to be nominated and thank the judges for their time”, is often just a waste of words that could be used to say something really important.

5. If at first…
Don’t be put off if you entered before and didn’t win. Try, try, and try again. It might take a few hours to write a good entry, in fact it will probably take half a day – but the process of taking time to summarize all the good things your organization does is a worthwhile process on its own that can help your development in the future.

6. Sensitive data in your entry
Backing your project up with supporting evidence and data might involve sharing sensitive information. We only share the information in your nomination with our judges who are themselves under a confidentiality agreement. You can include sensitive information in your nomination, and advise us not to mention it while we introduce you or your organization as a finalist / winner, should this be the case.

7. Success Story
Through your nomination, you share valuable information and insights into your projects, knowledge which can inspire and empower other businesses or individuals to create similar results. As such, we may invite shortlisted nominees to come and discuss their projects at future events and also to have your success stories published in our magazine.

WBE Canada values the incredible contributions of our community

AWARD CATEGORIES

CERTIFIED WBE MEMBER

CORPORATE MEMBER

OPEN TO ALL

Our nomination process

FAQ

About

Business Women

Corporate Members

Get Involved

Resources