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She L.E.A.D.s Awards

Celebrating Women Who Lead With Courage, Vision, and Impact

The She L.E.A.D.s Awards, presented by All Women L.E.A.D., honour extraordinary women in Southwestern Ontario who are transforming their businesses, organizations, and communities. These awards celebrate bold leaders and entrepreneurs who uplift others, embody equity and inclusion, and inspire a legacy of change.

Winners will be recognized at Southwestern Ontario’s largest International Women’s Day celebration on March 2, 2026, and will join AWL founders Jennifer Slay and Melissa Maloney for an inspiring panel discussion where we have "real talk" about what leading today looks like.

Ready to apply - Click here

Nominations Open October 1st
Applications Close November 15th at 5pm

She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur of the Year Award Presented by:

The winner of this award is a female identifying entrepreneur in Southwestern Ontario who exemplifies innovation, resilience, and a commitment to uplifting others. The She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur of the Year Award does more than just own a business! 

This award recognizes a woman who is not just building a business, she is creating opportunities for others to rise with her. Whether in the startup phase, scaling up, or leading an established enterprise, she is a woman who is redefining what success looks like.  She is helping others shine through mentoring, fostering inclusive environments, and making an impact beyond just profits.

If you would like to nominate someone, please email [email protected] and we will send them a nomination link.

If you are ready to apply keep reading!

Application Requirements

Submit Two Letters of Recommendation

  • Two letters of recommendation:
  • One from a peer or professional colleague.
  • One from a community member, employee, mentee, or person impacted by your business or work.

Current resume or CV

 

In addition to this you will be required to complete the nomination form, including responses to these questions:

  • Share your entrepreneurial journey and describe how innovation and resilience have played a role in your success.
  • How have you used your business as a platform to empower other women and equity-deserving groups?
  • Describe a significant challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur and how emotional intelligence (e.g., self-awareness, empathy, decision-making) shaped your approach to overcoming it.

Short Video

 

Submit a 1-minute video telling us why you should be the inaugural winner of the She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

  • There is a possibility that shortlisted finalists will be called to a virtual or in-person interview.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by a selection committee.
Applications Open October 1st

Nomination Requirements

Submit Two Letters of Recommendation

  • Two letters of recommendation:
  • One from a peer or professional colleague.
  • One from a community member, employee, mentee, or person impacted by her business or work.

Current resume
or CV

In addition to this you will be required to complete the nomination form, including responses to these questions:

  • Share your entrepreneurial journey and describe how innovation and resilience have played a role in your success.
  • How have you used your business as a platform to empower other women and equity-deserving groups?
  • Describe a significant challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur and how emotional intelligence (e.g., self-awareness, empathy, decision-making) shaped your approach to overcoming it.

Short Video

Submit a 1-minute video telling us why you should be the inaugural winner of the She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

  • There is a possibility that shortlisted finalists will be called to a virtual or in-person interview.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by a selection committee and peers.
Ready to apply- click here

Winners will be scored on the following criteria

Business Innovation & Growth: 25%

Community Engagement & Impact: 25%

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: 20%

Leadership Qualities & Vision: 15%

Peer Recommendations:
 15%

She L.E.A.D.s Leadership Award

Presented by AWL Partners

Honouring Transformative Leadership and Community Impact

The winner of this award is a female identifying leader in Southwestern Ontario who exemplifies leadership excellence, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to empowering others.  It does not need to be about holding a specific title. The She L.E.A.D.s Leader of the Year will be someone who makes an impact.

This award honours a woman who is not only excelling in her field but also creating spaces where others can grow and thrive. She is a changemaker, driving innovation, breaking down barriers, and building a legacy of equity and inclusion in her workplace and community.

If you would like to nominate someone, please email [email protected] and we will send them a nomination link.

If you are ready to apply keep reading!

Application Requirements

Two letters of recommendation

  • At least one from a direct report, mentee, or person impacted by your leadership.

Current resume or CV

In addition to this you will be required to complete the nomination form, including responses to these questions:

  • Describe how you have demonstrated leadership within your organization, community, or industry. How have you used self-awareness, empathy, or relationship-building to inspire and influence others?
  • How have you created opportunities for others, particularly women and equity-deserving groups, to grow and succeed under your leadership?
  • Share a significant challenge you faced as a leader and explain how emotional intelligence (e.g., self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy) shaped your approach.

Short Video

Submit a 1-minute video telling us why you should be the inaugural winner of the She L.E.A.D.s Leadership Award.

  • There is a possibility that shortlisted finalists will be called to a virtual or in-person interview.
  • Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated by a selection committee.
Ready to apply - Click here

Evaluation Criteria

Leadership Impact & Results: 20%

Community Engagement & Advocacy: 25%

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: 20%

Support of Women in Leadership: 15%

Alignment with AWL Values: 10%

Peer Recommendations: 5%

Selection Process

Call for Nominations

Open October 1st to November 15th

Eligibility Screening 

AWL team verifies submissions.

Shortlisting 

Selection committee reviews applications and interviews candidates if needed.

Finalists Selected 

Shortlisted candidates will be announced January 15, 2026.

Panel Discussion

Winners will be announced and featured on a panel at the International Women’s Day Event, sharing their stories on March 2nd.

About the Awards

The AWL She L.E.A.D.s Awards celebrate extraordinary women in Southwestern Ontario who exemplify leadership, entrepreneurship, and a commitment to empowering others.

  • She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur Award
    Celebrating women who empower others through business.
  • She L.E.A.D.s Leadership Award
    Honoring transformative leadership and community impact.

Both awards reflect AWL Partners’ belief that empowered people create empowered communities

Ready to apply - Click here

She L.E.A.D.s Entrepreneur Award

Business Innovation & Growth
Evidence of business success, creativity, and adaptability.

Community Engagement & Impact
Active involvement in community initiatives and measurable social impact.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Demonstrates inclusive practices in business and community work.

Support of Women in Entrepreneurship
Actively mentors, supports, and creates opportunities for other women entrepreneurs.

Leadership Qualities & Vision
Demonstrates resilience, vision, and alignment with AWL’s values of empowerment and inclusion.

Strength of Recommendations
Quality and authenticity of submitted letters of support.

 Still have more questions email us at [email protected]

 Still have more questions email us at [email protected]