Aspire
A customized workshop-style program for entry level women and gender-diverse finance professionals (under six years of experience).
Developed in 2007, the VersaFi Leadership Awards celebrates exemplary individuals and firms across Canada’s financial sector that share an inspiring vision for the future: an equitable workplace.
Through six awards categories in total, the Awards showcases leaders of change that help drive a mission that can harness the full potential of North America’s financial sector – one that includes more innovation, diverse and impactful teams, improved businesses, and new levels of prosperity.
The six awards categories include: Rising Star; Trailblazers; Outstanding Volunteer; Transformational Leadership; Excellence in Innovation; and Ally. Details for each category, including nomination dates and awards criteria is listed below.
At VersaFi, we believe that recognizing women rising through the ranks into senior leadership, outstanding volunteers that contribute to the work of VersaFi, innovators in the diversity and inclusion space, transformational leaders and true allies, is an important way of celebrating individuals who are driving change.
A full history of our award recipients can be found here.
Applications open: July 22, 2024
Applications close: September 13, 2024
Shortlist candidates notified: October 2024
Award ceremony: November 5, 2024
Awarded to up to two (2) men who have accelerated equity and inclusion for women at the team, department, organization, and/or industry level. These male allies have shown sustained leadership and taken clear steps to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplaces, resulting in tangible outcomes for their women colleagues.
Eligibility:
Note: VersaFi Board Members are not eligible for this award.
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Leadership:
Influence and Accountability:
Impact:
Awarded to one (1) person, group, department, or organization that has made meaningful, measurable, and lasting improvements for women through a new and innovative approach. This recipient has taken an innovative approach to change using a comprehensive and thoughtful strategy that is results-driven, with measurability and accountability as key components.
Eligibility:
Note: VersaFi Board Members are not eligible for this award.
*The data in question can be presented in reports, slide decks, tracking frameworks, etc. We will accept any documentation that shows that a plan with clear objectives was set and those objectives were met through pre-determined metrics.
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Leadership & Initiative:
Innovation:
Impact (data that backs up the innovative approach):
Awarded to up to two (2) volunteers who have surpassed the typical expectations of a VersaFi volunteer. These volunteers have demonstrated impressive leadership and initiative, setting an exceptional example to other volunteers, with an elevated commitment to improving gender equity in the finance industry. Candidates must have contributed significantly to increasing VersaFi’s reach and impact, by developing strong relationships across the industry and by assisting VersaFi in the delivery of relevant programming and events, designed to accelerate progress for women in the finance sector.
Eligibility:
Note: VersaFi Board Members are not eligible for this award.
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Leadership and Initiative:
Commitment to Gender Equity:
Impact:
Recognizes up to three (3) high-performing women/gender-diverse individuals who have demonstrated strong professional progression early on in their careers, and are on the path towards increasingly senior roles. Candidates are strong advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplace with a focus on accelerating equity for women specifically. They do this by educating their peers, engaging men as allies, and/or actively supporting the advancement of other women in the industry.
Eligibility:
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Career Accomplishments:
Leadership Capabilities:
Impact:
Recognizes up to three (3) high-performing women/gender-diverse individuals who have demonstrated strong professional progression, and are on the path to senior leadership roles. Candidates are strong advocates for equity, diversity and inclusion in their workplace with a focus on accelerating equity for women specifically. They do this by educating their peers, engaging men as allies, and/or actively supporting the advancement of other women in the industry.
Eligibility:
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Career Accomplishments:
Leadership Capabilities:
Impact:
Recognizes up to three (3) senior women/gender-diverse leaders who have made significant, measurable, and lasting contributions to improving gender equity at their organizations. Candidates have measurably contributed to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, and/or are actively working toward more equitable and gender-inclusive practices, policies, and culture. Candidates have influenced their workplaces by inspiring their team members and management to actively contribute toward building more gender-inclusive workplaces.
Eligibility:
Note: VersaFi Board Members are not eligible for this award.
Nominations must include the following:
Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:
Career Accomplishments:
Leadership Capabilities:
Impact: