2026 Calgary Influential Women In Business Awards
Announcing the 2026 Calgary Influential Women in Business Award Winners on March 2, 2026!
What started as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those advancing gender diversity in the business community, has quickly become one of the most prominent events of the year. Honourees are chosen based on the criteria of professional accomplishments, community involvement, promotion and advancement of women and overall influence and impact on the Alberta business community and its representation of diverse leaders in the following categories:
Lifetime Achievement
This award honours a female senior executive who has achieved significant career success and inspired those behind them. The honouree has dedicated their life to the advancement of others and paved the way for the next generation of leaders.
Professional Services
This award honours a senior executive female in a professional services firm (law, accounting, financial services and/or consulting) who is a trusted advisor to their corporate clients.
Large Enterprise
This award honours a female senior executive who is integral to a large-sized enterprise with over a $1B in market capitalization.
Small and Medium Enterprise
This award honours a female senior executive who is integral to a small to medium sized enterprise with less than $1B in market capitalization.
Social Enterprise
This award honours a female senior executive who is the driving force of a registered charity, not-for-profit, academic or industry association, or for-profit social enterprise, dedicated to social change and greater good. The honouree is a champion of philanthropy, volunteerism and the non-profit community.
Male Champion
This award honours a senior executive male who is an ally and supporter of corporate female executives. They advocate for men and women to work together towards gender parity and demonstrates a commitment to champion women in their workplace and in the community.
Join us on April 23, 2026 at the Telus Convention Centre!
Become involved in our most coveted and commemorative Axis Connects event; the sixth annual Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards is a celebratory gala that attracts over 1,400 Calgary community visionaries and leaders.
Event Details
What started as an opportunity to recognize leaders advancing gender diversity in Calgary’s business community has quickly become one of the city’s most prominent annual events. Join Axis Connects as we celebrate the 6th Annual Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards, recognizing outstanding leaders for their professional excellence, community impact, and influence across Alberta’s business landscape.
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- Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- Venue: Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
Exhibition Hall – North Building, Second Level
136 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2P 0K6
- The evening will follow a format similar to the 2025 Awards Gala. Exact timings will be confirmed closer to the event date
- Tentative Schedule:
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- 5:00pm – VIP Reception begins, remarks at 5:30
- 5:30pm – Main Hall doors open & cocktail reception
- 6:30pm – Dinner and Award Program
- 8:45pm – After Party with DJ Joanna Magik
- 11:00pm – Event ends
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- Tentative Schedule:
Parking
Paid parking is available for purchase in the underground lot at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre 136 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2P 0K6
Is there coat check?
Yes, complimentary coat check will be open at 5:00pm and it is located on the main floor of the North Building.
What is the dress code?
Black Tie (gowns, tuxedos/suits).
How do I get my ticket?
Guests will receive a QR code ticket by email approximately 2 days prior to the event, and again on the day of the event. Tickets can be scanned directly from your phone at check-in.
How do I get my VIP ticket?
There is no separate ticket for VIP. If you are part of the VIP reception it will be noted on your ticket. Guests will be emailed a QR code ticket 2 days prior to the event (April 21), and then again on April 23.
Will there be a seating chart? What is my table number?
Table numbers will be noted on your ticket. There will be signage at the event with a table map to help direct you. The ten seats at the table are not assigned (i.e. no seat number).
How many seats are at a table?
10.
Can I buy a table? How much is it?
Yes! A table of ten is $7,500 + GST. We do not have an online purchase system, so all table purchases will be invoiced. To purchase, please email us at hello@axisconnects.com.
Do you sell single tickets? How much are they? Can I purchase online?
There may be a limited amount of single tickets available for sale. Stay tuned for updates.
Other Questions?
Email us at hello@axisconnects.com.
This event will sell out — secure your sponsorship today!
2025 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Hilary Foulkes
Board Member for Chord Energy, Board member for Pine Cliff Energy, Senior Advisor TPH Canada, Vice-Chair Let’s Talk Science Director
Small and Medium Enterprise
Allison Grafton
President & Founder, Rockwood Custom Homes
Large Enterprise
Shelley Powell
SVP, Operations Improvement & Support Services, Suncor
Professional Services
Alison Jackson
Managing Partner, EY
Social Enterprise
Sue Tomney
CEO, YW Calgary
Male Champion
David Smith
Retired CEO of Keyera Corp.; currently director of Advantage Energy Ltd. and Wajax Corp.
Selection & Advisory Committee
Rona Ambrose
Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities
Hilary Foulkes
Board Member for Chord Energy, Board member for Pine Cliff Energy, Senior Advisor TPH Canada, Vice-Chair Let’s Talk Science Director
Deborah Yedlin
President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce
Arun Chandrasekaran
Head of Energy Investment Banking at National Bank Financial
Dawn de Lima
Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services & Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, TC Energy
Byron Neiles
EVP & Chief Administrative Officer (retired), Enbridge Inc.
Katherine Emberly
SVP & President, TELUS SMB
Curtis Stange
President & CEO, ATB Financial
Judy Fairburn
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, The51
Scott Janis
President of Alberta Land Development and Housing Operations, Brookfield Residential
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon
Board Director and President Emerita, University of Calgary
Mark Thompson
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Nutrien
Kelly Schmitt
CEO, Headversity
Bryan de Lottinville
Founder and Chief Evangelist of Benevity
Jeff Lawson
Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development & Chief Sustainability Officer, Cenovus Energy
Andrea Robertson
Board Director
Lisa Baiton
President & CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
Michelle Sledz
Partner, Transfer Pricing & Deputy Business Unit Leader, Calgary Tax, KPMG
Jim Davidson
Co-founder FirstEnergy Capital and Board Member, ATB and Topaz Energy
Mark Brown
Senior Vice President, ATCO EnPower
Rachel Moore
Executive Vice President, Corporate Services, Ovintiv
Heather Culbert
Board Chair and Co-founder of Axis Connects & Board Ready Women
Marnie Smith
Managing Director, Russell Reynolds Associates
Scott Munn
Partner, Hugessen Consulting
Sippy Chhina
Independent Board Director & Business Advisor
Karen Young
President & Chief Executive Officer, United Way
Kent Ferguson
Senior Vice President, Strategy, Sustainability & Corporate Development, Suncor
Jenna Kaye
CEO, Odyssey Trust Company
Terry M. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer, ARC Resources Ltd.
Tracey Schmitz
Regional Operating Officer, RBC
Katie Smith-Parent
BD, Industry Diversification, Spartan Controls
James McLean
Partner, National Utilities Leader, PwC Canada
2025 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Hilary Foulkes
Board Member for Chord Energy, Board member for Pine Cliff Energy, Senior Advisor TPH Canada, Vice-Chair Let’s Talk Science Director
Small & Medium Enterprise
Allison Grafton
President & Founder, Rockwood Custom Homes
Professional Services
Alison Jackson
Managing Partner, EY
Social Enterprise
Sue Tomney
CEO, YW Calgary
Large Enterprise
Shelley Powell
SVP, Operations Improvement & Support Services, Suncor
Male Champion
David Smith
Retired CEO of Keyera Corp.; Director of Advantage Energy Ltd. and Wajax Corp.
2024 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Lorraine Mitchelmore
Independent Director
Small & Medium Enterprise
Jennifer Massig
CEO, MAGNA Engineering Services
Professional Services
Alicia Quesnel
Managing Partner, BDP LLP
Social Enterprise
Wendy Beauchesne
CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation
Large Enterprise
Doreen Cole
EVP, Downstream Manufacturing, Cenovus
Male Champion
Bryan de Lottinville
Founder and Chief Evangelist of Benevity
2023 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Sue Riddell Rose
President and Chief Executive Officer of Perpetual Energy and Rubellite Energy
Small & Medium Enterprise
Manjit Minhas
Co-founder and Co-owner of the Minhas Breweres, Distilleries and Wineries
Professional Services
Sippy Chhina
Partner, Director & Vice Chair, Deloitte Canada LLP
Social Enterprise
Andrea Robertson
President & CEO, STARS
Large Enterprise
Kelly Schmitt
Chief Executive Officer, Benevity Inc.
Male Champion
Mark Brown
Vice President & General Manager, Fluor
2022 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Dawn Farrell
Independent Director and Chancellor at Mount Royal University
Small & Medium Enterprise
Eleanor Chiu
Chief Financial Officer, The Trico Group/ Trico Homes
Professional Services
Cheryl Sandercock
Managing Director Co-Head Energy A&D Advisory, BMO Capital Markets
Social Enterprise
Kim Ruse
CEO, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter
Large Enterprise
Jana Mosley
President, ENMAX Power
Male Champion
Jim Dewald
Dean and Professor, Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary
2021 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Elizabeth Cannon
Board Director and President Emerita, University of Calgary
Small & Medium Enterprise
Alice Reimer
CEO, Fillip and Site Lead, Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies
Professional Services
Melinda Park
Partner, Securities and Capital Markets and Past Chair, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Social Enterprise
Salima Stanley-Bhanji
CEO, Humainologie
Large Enterprise
Denise Man
Chief Technology Officer, ATB Financial
Male Champion
Jim Davidson
Co-founder FirstEnergy Capital and Board Member, ATB and Topaz Energy
2020 CIWB Award Recipients
Lifetime Achievement
Judy Fairburn
Serial Entrepreneur and Board Director (MEG Energy, VERRUM, Tundra), Co-Founder & Co-CEO, The51
Small & Medium Enterprise
Milena Radakovic
President & Owner, Nexus Exhibits Ltd., and Canada Ambassador – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO)
Entrepreneur
Dr. Breanne Everett
Co-Founder, President and CEO, Orpyx® Medical Technologies
Professional Services
Jill Angevine
Managing Partner, Palisade Capital Management Ltd. and Board Director (Tourmaline, Advantage Oil & Gas)
Social Enterprise
Karen Young
President & CEO, United Way Calgary & Area
Emerging Leader
Amanda Hamilton
Founder and Creative Director, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design & Palette Archives
Large Enterprise
Kerry O’Reilly Wilks
Chief Officer, Legal, Regulatory & External Affairs, TransAlta Corporation
Male Champion
John Osler
Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Event Sponsors
We are grateful for everyone’s commitment. Through your sponsorship, we have:
- Created a network of over 4,000+ business and community leaders;
- Empowered over 1,350 women on their professional journey through dedicated programs and workshops;
- Pioneered innovative and captivating programs including, “Career Development Dialogues” and “Lunch with a Leader”
- Launched two highly successful, all-day Leadership Forums to provide women (and men) with professional skills and tools to advance their professional journeys.
