FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TORONTO, ON – 31 OCTOBER 2022
Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) today announced the recipients of the prestigious Founder and Legacy Awards, as part of their 2022 Business Leadership Awards. These awards celebrate and honour individuals who have helped champion diversity, inclusion, and economic growth in the Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ community.
“The recipients of this year’s awards embody the essence of passion, drive, and leadership,” said CGLCC Co-Founder and CEO, Darrell Schuurman, “Over their careers, they have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to advancing inclusion and equity. They’ve consistently shown the importance, and impact, of being one’s true self.”
On Friday November 11, 2022, Hundreds of individuals from across the country will gather at The Carlu in Toronto to celebrate the achievements of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ business community, hear stories from fearless 2SLGBTQI+ leaders, and enjoy an evening of fantastic entertainment.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the 7th Annual Black & White Gala will include a lineup of noteworthy Canadian performers like Coko Galore, Miss Moço, DJ Recklezz, Indigenous Enterprise, and Sandra Bouza. More information on the Gala may be found here.
Winners of the 2022 Business Leadership Awards will be announced throughout the evening of the Black & White Gala.
Bobbie Racette, Founder & CEO, Virtual Gurus – Recipient of the 2022 2SLGBTQI+ Founder Award
The 2SLGBTQI+ Founder Award recognizes an 2SLGBTQI+ individual(s) that has founded a Canadian business that has had a significant economic impact on the local/regional/national community. Through their efforts, they have made an important contribution to advancing and growing 2SLGBTQI+ business in Canada.
Bobbie is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus, a Talent as a Service Solution platform that matches its users with North American Remote Assistants and Freelancers. She has been recognized as one of 50 Changemakers for 2021 by Report on Business magazine and Startup Canada’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, and is an unstoppable force in the Canadian startup community. She is a Cree-Metis woman who prides herself on building an inclusivity-first company, championing for indigenous people and the 2SLGBTQI+ community. She is a natural leader, sharing her passion by mentoring First Nations Youth who have demonstrated interest in Tech and Business.
Katie Dudtschak – Recipient of the 2022 Legacy Award
CGLCC’s Legacy Award recognizes an organization or individual that has made a significant contribution to the 2SLGBTQI+ business movement in Canada and/or globally, and through their contribution has left a legacy to future 2SLGBTQI+ businesses and entrepreneurs.
Katie is the former Executive Vice President, Regional Banking, with RBC, where she led Canada’s largest advisor force of more than 20,000 employees, who advised and served over 15 million clients representing over $1 trillion in business under management. Katie is a woman with gender affirming experience, publicly revealing her journey to embrace her true self in 2019. She is a deeply experienced business and thought leader in the areas of multi-horizon growth strategies; business transformation; and inclusive leadership.
Prior Business Leadership Award winners may be seen on CGLCC’s Business Leadership Wall of Fame.
Award Winners will be presented at this year’s Black & White Gala on November 11, 2022. Get your tickets today!
About CGLCC
Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) links 2SLGBTQI+ businesses in Canada to the wider business and corporate community. It fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students and allies, and by helping Canada’s corporate world connect with the 2SLGBTQI+ business community. www.cglcc.ca
Media Contact: communications@cglcc.ca
