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
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Andrew-Brousse-head-shot-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ashifa-2023.jpg?fit=480%2C640&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Trevor-McIntosh-scaled-1.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/0L2A5421-logo-free-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mandy_Potter_Headshot.jpg?fit=1500%2C1872&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CaleyShukalek_Profile_FINAL-001-1-scaled-1.jpg?fit=2560%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Cynthia-Sweeney-print-14-scaled-1.jpg?fit=2560%2C2048&quality=89&ssl=1)
2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year
Sponsored by EY
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/logo-new.jpg?fit=901%2C900&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nuts-For-Cheese-Logo-1.png?fit=1500%2C1500&quality=80&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OLP-Logo-Main.png?fit=1696%2C947&quality=80&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sunset-View-Campground.jpg?fit=872%2C644&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/queertech.png?fit=1030%2C911&quality=80&ssl=1)
Young 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by RBC
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CamrenChamberlain-scaled-1.jpg?fit=2546%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Maxime-Dumais-c.o.-et-coach-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Little-Rainbow-Headshot-1-scaled-1.jpg?fit=2560%2C1920&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Fae-Johnstone-Headshot-23.03-1-edited.jpg?fit=1201%2C1201&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kyle-Pinsonneault-Headshot.png?fit=392%2C568&quality=80&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/russell-pollard.jpg?fit=2166%2C2316&quality=89&ssl=1)
Corporation of the Year
Sponsored by EDC
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BMO_Logo_1200x627.jpeg?fit=1200%2C627&quality=89&ssl=1)
![Manulife logo](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Manulife.webp?fit=500%2C501&quality=80&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Telus.webp?fit=500%2C500&quality=80&ssl=1)
2SLGBTQI+ Business Advocate of the Year
Sponsored by UpHouse
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Michael-Battista-1-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sara-Holyoke.jpg?fit=960%2C960&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mariat-Jibril.jpg?fit=456%2C640&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rodriquez-Dylan-GTR-Downtown-Toronto-Market.jpg?fit=1461%2C2242&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Maddie_Stiles_Headshot.jpg?fit=1584%2C1584&quality=89&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/cglcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Paulo-Trindade-1-scaled-1.jpg?fit=1708%2C2560&quality=89&ssl=1)
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.