2026 Nominees

2026 BMO Financial Group Women of the Year Nominees

Arts & Culture

Amanda Amaral

Alana Decker

Christine Goucher

Kathie Jordan

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

Wafa Agha

Morgan Braganza

Nicole Detlor

Laura Galbraith

Carrie Gusé

Marcella Habermehl

Heidi Hallman

Lucia Harrison

Colleen James

Mona Loffelmann

Chrissy McKenty

Chanelle Seguin

Dorothy Wilson

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:

Educator

Jo Atlee

Leia Minaker

Kelsey Neumann

Catherine Newell Kelly

Tham Nguyen

Nicole Puffer

Mackenzie "Kenzie" Redmond

Dr. Kelly Robb

Mary Robinson

Shel Secrett

Meredith Woodwark

Full Category Description

For empowering individuals and strengthening our community through outstanding contributions to education and lifelong learning.

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and innovation in education. They inspire learners of all ages, foster inclusive and equitable learning environments, and promote the pursuit of knowledge. Whether working in schools, universities, training programs, or community education initiatives, they play a pivotal role in empowering others through education. Their commitment to excellence uplifts and shapes the future, making a lasting impact on their students and the broader community.

Sponsored by:

Entrepreneur
(40+*)

Beth Borody

Melissa Durrell

Ashley Gould

Jennifer Marry

Kristy Miller

Snezana Mlotschek

Ren Navarro

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.

To recognize professional and entrepreneurial nominees under 40, we invite nominations for the Rising Star Award.

Sponsored by:

Group Achievement

CuratedKW

Knight Warriors Women's Cricket Team

She Shares Women's Giving Circle

Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario

Waterloo Region Family Network

Women in Communications and Technology, Waterloo Chapter

Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

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.

Sponsored by:

Health & Wellness

Sarah Connors

Christy Consell

Danina Kapetanovic

Lili Liu

Nadine Quehl

Amelia Yip

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

Marcella Habermehl

Lucia Harrison

Judy Nairn

Sherryl Petricevic

Weihua Zhuang

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
(40+*)

Dawn Baird

Leslie Ciampaglia

Aislinn Clancy

Jacqueline Hewson

Danielle Joworski

Faune Lang

Kate McCrae Bristol

Judy Nairn

Sherryl Petricevic

Jacinda Reitsma

Rebecca Steckly

Tammy Webster

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.

To recognize professional and entrepreneurial nominees under 40, we invite nominations for the Rising Star Award.

Sponsored by:

Skilled Trades

Soveigh Brasseur

Krystal Darling

Jessica Gemmell

Stephanie McLean

Charlotte Verge

Brenda Walsh

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

Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski

Eden Hennessey

Heather Keller

Cynthia Lennon

Donna Strickland

Weihua Zhuang

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 areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Math. This woman could be an innovator in the technology industry, leading research in a lab or at one of the region's educational institutions or be a contributor to STEM education. Previous nominees in this category have included teachers, professors, engineers, researchers, STEM-related program and product managers.

Sponsored by:

Vanguard (Under 40)

Christine Clark

Leighanne Evans

Afra Fatima

Kathryn Gilezan

Chantelle Moore

Saba Oji

Amanda Pinto

Sirisha Rambhatla

Brittney Rossiar

Sponsored by:

Full Category Description

For demonstrating exceptional leadership potential and innovation while achieving significant professional and entrepreneurial accomplishments early in their career.

This award recognizes an individual under the age of 40 who is making significant strides in their career, demonstrating exceptional leadership potential, and paving the way for future success. Nominees are individuals who inspire others through innovation, initiative, and their positive impact on their profession and community.

The category encompasses professionals and entrepreneurs across all sectors, including business, technology, nonprofit, healthcare, government, and more.

Young Adult (14-23)

Delaney Armstrong

Mireya Avila Cano

Sarah Bayrakdarian

Sierra Blackburn

Katarina Brezovan

Abby Byers

Samantha Di Salvo

Maia Flinton

Nancy Ge

Allysa Greidanus

Anne Hambly

Ayona Jaswal

Gurnoor Kaur

Kamryn Szumlinski

Zoe Talbot

Brianna Thomas

Giang Tran

Henriëtta van Niekerk

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 during the applicable year.

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

Sponsored by:

2026 Nominees

2026 BMO Financial Group Women of the Year Nominees

Arts & Culture

Full Category Description

Community Service

Full Category Description

Educator

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur
(40+*)

Full Category Description

Group Achievement

Full Category Description

Health & Wellness

Full Category Description

Lifetime Achievement

Full Category Description

Professional
(40+*)

Full Category Description

Skilled Trades

Full Category Description

STEM

Full Category Description

Vanguard (Under 40)

Full Category Description

Young Adult (14-23)

Full Category Description

Thank you to our 2026 BMO Financial Group Women of the Year Sponsors!

Get In Touch!

Additional Resources

About Us

2026 Nominees

2026 BMO Financial Group Women of the Year Nominees

Arts & Culture

Full Category Description

Community Service

Full Category Description

Educator

Full Category Description

Entrepreneur(40+*)

Full Category Description

Group Achievement

Full Category Description

Health & Wellness

Full Category Description

Lifetime Achievement

Full Category Description

Professional(40+*)

Full Category Description

Skilled Trades

Full Category Description

STEM

Full Category Description

Vanguard (Under 40)

Full Category Description

Young Adult (14-23)

Full Category Description

Thank you to our 2026 BMO Financial Group Women of the Year Sponsors!

Get In Touch!

Additional Resources

About Us

Entrepreneur
(40+*)

Professional
(40+*)