2024 NOMINEES

Congratulations to the 2024 Nominees!

Arts & Culture

Erin Bow
Roshan James
Susan Koswan
Raechele Lovell
Sue Nally
Peggy Plet
Sassy Ray
Stephanie Scott
Bingye (Belinda) Zhang

Full Category Description

For enriching the culture of our community through creation or promotion of the arts on a volunteer or professional basis.

This award recognizes a woman who has contributed significantly to arts & culture in Waterloo Region, helping to create a vibrant and diverse community. The category encompasses visual, music, dance, film, theatre, written word, culinary, parades, festivals, community events, design and much more.

Previous nominees in this category have included journalists, vocal and instrumental musicians, arts educators, library advocates, stage performers, novelists, painters, producers, museum curators, and general arts advocates, among others.

Sponsored by:

Community Service

Lova Nyemb Bassong
Uzma Bhutto
Charlotte Ferguson
Joan Fisk
Taposhi Ganguli
Cheryl Gordijk
Marion Thomson Howell
Jane Hu
Lee Ann Hundt
Taveena Kum
Laurie Lafleur
Suhaila Salah
Jocelyn Schaefer
Jenny Spiers
Tracy Valko

Full Category Description

For generously volunteering her time to programs and services that make our community a better place.

This award honours a woman who makes volunteerism and community service a way of life, demonstrating compassion and dedication to their chosen cause(s). Often working behind the scenes, their contributions help to connect citizens and solve community problems.

Nominees in this category have been advocates and fundraisers for a variety of charities and organizations throughout Waterloo Region. Everything from health research, social justice initiatives, refugee support, children’s programs, environmental campaigns, community service clubs and many more have benefitted from the support of these women.

Sponsored by:

Entrepreneur
(under 40*)

Oluwaseyi Adaghe
Shelby Behling
Rebekah Churchyard
Afra Fatima
Kristy Guthrie
Chloe Hamilton
Shay Herold
Dr. Harkiran Mallhi
Emily Peat
Katarina Penrith
Rebecca Prime
Hilary Rigo
Jessica Smith

Full Category Description

For initiating and/or administering an enterprise or business.

The Entrepreneur Award is presented to a woman who has started and/or successfully managed a new business venture, contributing to the innovation and growth of the local economy. Determination to succeed, innovative ideas, vision, collaboration and leadership are all characteristics associated with the women who fit into this category.

Past nominees in this category have included women who have begun businesses ranging from photography to lifestyle coaching, home staging to law firms, new technology start-ups to clothing boutiques, and everything in between.

Sponsored by:

Entrepreneur (40+)

Dima Aldera
Maria Kyveris
Juanita Metzger
Ajoa Mintah
Leslie Morris
Destiny Moser
Ren Navarro
Erica Shelley
Cindy Ward

Full Category Description

For initiating and/or administering an enterprise or business.

Sponsored by:

Group Achievement

Canadian Arab Women's Association
Dog Friendly KW
Jill of all Trades
#LiveFitBabe Training
Mamas For Mamas
Muslim Women of Cambridge
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
She Is Your Neighbour
She Shares Women's Giving Circle
Stella Co.
Supporting Inclusion through Intergenerational Partnerships
Together: For Perinatal Mental Health
Women in Communications & Technology Mentoring Circles
YWCA Cambridge Leadership Team

Full Category Description

For achievements by a group of women that impact and/or improve our community or our society.

The Group Achievement Award is similar to the Community Service Award, but instead of an individual it honours a group of two or more women who have worked together on community service initiatives. These women have combined their impressive talents and dedication to create organizations that benefit a variety of causes.

For achievements by a group of women that impact and/or improve our community or our society.

Sponsored by:

Health & Wellness

Bronwyn Addico
Amy Ballantyne
Deidre Hatton
Neha Juwale
Anita Krawiec
Lisa Lankowski
Sumiko Lui
Tanya Sablic
Shawnna Siddall
Morgan Story

Full Category Description

For promoting and helping others achieve and promote mental, physical or spiritual wellbeing in her career or community involvement.

This award recognizes women who have demonstrated continuous dedication to improvements in areas related to fitness, nutrition, general health, spiritual wellness, and mental health and wellbeing. Their contributions to the field include everything from creating health & wellness based businesses, being advocates for mental health awareness, researching new medical technologies and treatments, and supporting the elderly, among others.

Nominees in the Health & Wellness category have included women who are leaders at long term care facilities, personal trainers, life coaches, child and family therapists, clinical nutritionists, volunteers with health/medical-based organizations (eg. Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Society, hospital boards, etc.), chaplains and pastors, nurses and doctors, and many more.

Sponsored by:

Lifetime Achievement

Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie
Stephanie Brasseur
Joan Fisk
Kimberly Fowler
Martha George
Cheryl Gordijk
Linda Mark
Janice McVey
Nancy Priest
Wendy Stahley

Full Category Description

For over 25 years, has been a role model, mentor and/or advocate for positive social change or has excelled in her profession.

This award encompasses a broad range of nominees. Women who qualify for this category could be an outstanding professional, academic, community activist or artist – any woman who has made an exceptional contribution to the development and future of Waterloo Region over the course of 25+ years.

Previous nominees have included long-standing community volunteers, successful businesswomen, career performers and health care professionals, among others.

Sponsored by:

Professional
(under 40)

Nasreen
Anjie Persaud
Ashley Schuitema
Suzana Vuković

Full Category Description

For dedicating herself to the pursuit of excellence in her chosen career.

The Professional Award is presented to a woman whose achievement in her vocational field has brought distinction to herself, her employer and the community. This award reflects a high level of commitment to professional growth and personal pride in the nominee’s employment.

Nominees in this category have come from a broad range of career backgrounds including special events, health care, education, business services, communications, not-for-profit organizations, manufacturing and technology industries, and emergency services, and many others.

Sponsored by:

Professional (40+)

Allison Bourke
Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie
Nicole Brown Faulknor
Nenone Donaldson
Melissa Durrell
Helen Fishburn
Kimberly Fowler
Karen Gallant
Michelle Grimes
Jean M. Howitt
Christie Johnson
Suzanne Kearns
Young-Shin Lee
Linda Mark
Dr. Norah McRae
Janice McVey
Oluseun Olayinka
Nancy Priest
Wendy Stahley
Aimee Wagner

Full Category Description

For dedicating herself to the pursuit of excellence in her chosen career.

Sponsored by:

Skilled Trades

Aimie Botelho
Soveigh Brasseur
Stefanie Bruinsma
Brandi Ferenc
Jessica Gemmell
Martha George
Shannon Gerryts
Jennifer Green
Laura Potje
Emily Pyke

Full Category Description

For exceptional contributions to the advancement and empowerment of women in the trades sector.

The Skilled Trades Award recipient has shattered barriers, created opportunity, or excelled professionally in traditionally male-dominated trades. This award recognizes the resilience, innovation, and pioneering leadership demonstrated by women who have forged a path in trades, breaking stereotypes, and inspiring future generations.

Sponsored by:

STEM

Vanda Boyd
Stephanie Brasseur
Martha Breithaupt
Amanda Helka
Linda Li
Avvey Peters
Elaheh Sanoubari
Savannah Sloat
Nancy Nelson
Ellyn Winters-Robinson

Full Category Description

For outstanding contributions to the scientific and technological community.

The STEM award identifies and applauds a woman who has excelled in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math.

This woman could be an entrepreneur/innovator in the technology industry, an educator at one of Waterloo Region’s post-secondary institutions, a researcher at one of the area hospitals, a contributor to the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics – the Region is overflowing with intelligent, inventive and inspirational women in this field.

Sponsored by:

Young Adult (14-23)

Kyo Lee
Kat Mueller
Jordan Prentice
Aalaa Rehman
Rebecca Schuetze
Madison Schuetze
Zoe Talbot
Katelyn Wu

Full Category Description

For leading by example and being a role model to her peers.

This award recognizes a young woman between the ages of 14 and 23, who is actively involved in the community in a constructive and positive way – whether through volunteering, fundraising, extra-curricular school activities, or social activism. Nominees in this category must be registered for continuing full-time studies at the time of the award presentation.

Past nominees in the Young Adult category have been young women who have excelled in their extra-curricular pursuits such as drama, music or sports, young women who have founded clubs to support children with learning disabilities, advocates for individuals with special needs, young women involved in post-secondary student councils, and organizers of fundraising events or awareness campaigns.

The winner of the Young Adult Award is presented with the Jennifer Campbell Youth Scholarship.

Sponsored by:

2024 NOMINEES

Congratulations to the 2024 Nominees!

Arts & Culture

Full Category Description

Community Service

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur
(under 40*)

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur (40+)

Full Category Description

Group Achievement

Full Category Description

Health & Wellness

Full Category Description

Lifetime Achievement

Full Category Description

Professional
(under 40)

Full Category Description

Professional (40+)

Full Category Description

Skilled Trades

Full Category Description

STEM

Full Category Description

Young Adult (14-23)

Full Category Description

Thank you to our 2025 Women of the Year Sponsors!

Get In Touch!

Additional Resources

About Us

2024 NOMINEES

Congratulations to the 2024 Nominees!

Arts & Culture

Full Category Description

Community Service

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur (under 40*)

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur (40+)

Full Category Description

Group Achievement

Full Category Description

Health & Wellness

Full Category Description

Lifetime Achievement

Full Category Description

Professional (under 40)

Full Category Description

Professional (40+)

Full Category Description

Skilled Trades

Full Category Description

STEM

Full Category Description

Young Adult (14-23)

Full Category Description

Thank you to our 2025 Women of the Year Sponsors!

Get In Touch!

Additional Resources

About Us

Entrepreneur
(under 40*)

Professional
(under 40)