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Announcing the 2023 2SLGBTQI+ Business Leadership Awards’ Finalists


Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is proud to announce the Finalists for the 2023 Business Leadership Awards. These awards celebrate and honour individuals and companies who have helped champion diversity, inclusion, and economic growth in the Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ community. 

On Friday November 10, 2023, over 450 entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and esteemed business leaders from across the country will gather at The Carlu in Toronto to celebrate the achievements of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ business community during an evening of electrifying entertainment and experience-sharing.

“Now, more than ever, we need to honour the achievements and progress made in Canada’s business and economic landscape by and with the 2SLGBTQI+ community,” said Darrell Schuurman, CGLCC Co-Founder and CEO. “This is a night where we celebrate how far we’ve come, with a focus on what we can truly achieve together in the future. Every one of these Business Leadership Award Finalists has shown unrelenting passion and dedication to bringing equity, diversity, and inclusion to the forefront of all we do.” 

This year, the 8th Annual Black & White Gala commemorates the 20th anniversary of CGLCC and the advocacy work done for, and with the Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ business community for two decades. 

The evening’s entertainment will include a lineup of noteworthy Canadian performers including award-winning writer and performer emcee, Gavin Crawford; JUNO award-nominated artist, Ralph; queer-run South Asian dance company, Naach For Fun; international, world-class Drag Entertainer, Tynomi Banks; a musical gem of Toronto, Charmie; and DJ Donovan on deck to keep the music and energy going throughout the night. 

Find out more about the Gala at www.cglcc.ca/gala.

Winners of the 2023 Business Leadership Awards will be announced throughout the evening of the Black & White Gala. We would like to extend our congratulations to the following finalists.


Business Leader of the Year

Sponsored by Accenture

Andrew Brousse tiptap
Ashifa Jumani TELUS Communications Inc
Trevor McIntosh coverboo Insurance Brokers Inc.
Ren Navarro Beer Diversity
Mandy Potter Joey
Caley Shukalek PurposeMed
Cynthia Sweeney Simply Good Form Inc.

2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year

Sponsored by EY

Coach House Marketing Inc.
Nuts For Cheese
Our Landing Place
Sunset View Campground
QueerTech

Young 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneur of the Year

Sponsored by RBC

Camren Chamberlain The House Fairy Cleaning Services
Maxime Dumais Création Carrière
Heather Hansler Heather Hansler Little Rainbow Paper Company
Fae Johnstone Wisdom2Action
Kyle Pinsonneault Canadian Executive Search Group
Russell Pollard Leading Professionals Inc.

Corporation of the Year

Sponsored by EDC

BMO
Manulife logo
Manulife
Telus

2SLGBTQI+ Business Advocate of the Year

Sponsored by UpHouse

Michael Battista Battista Migration Law Group
Sara Holyoke Delta Hotels by Marriott Fredericton
Mariat Jibril TD Bank Group
Dylan Rodriquez BMO Financial Group
Maddie Stiles Startup Canada
Paulo Trindade Paulo’s Cake Shop

A brief outline of each Award’s criteria may be found on our Awards page.

Prior Business Leadership Award winners may be seen on CGLCC’s Business Leadership Wall of Fame.