CGLCC Presents 2016 Business Leadership Awards

In November the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosted the first annual Black & White Gala in Toronto to celebrate the first-ever presentation of the CGLCC 2016 Business Leadership Awards.

Chairperson’s Award
Chance Mitchell and Justin Nelson
co-founders of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

The Chairperson’s Award recognizes an organization or individual that has made a significant contribution to the LGBT+ business movement in Canada or abroad.

“Chance Mitchell and Justin Nelson have worked tirelessly for 14 years to build what is now the largest LGBT+ economic advocacy and business development organization in the world. Their pioneering efforts, along with their mentorship and support of the CGLCC and other global organizations, deserve to be recognized,” said R. Bruce McDonald, co-founder and chair of the CGLCC.

Icon Award
Ed Clark
President and CEO of TD Bank Group from 2002 to 2014

Clark was instrumental in making sure diversity and inclusion were part of the bank’s DNA. Internally, that meant acknowledging and supporting the bank’s own LGBT+ employees. Externally, it meant pushing the bank to actively engage with the LGBT+ community and reminding corporate leaders of the importance of inclusion and diversity in business.

“Our Icon Award recognizes an exceptional contribution to the advancement of the LGBT+ community through sustained action, leadership and business,” said McDonald. “Ed Clark is a true leader. He not only put his principles into practice at TD, he also encouraged other corporate leaders to take up the challenge of inclusion. Ed continues to speak about diversity and inclusion and is actively supporting LGBT charities and organizations. We are all better off as a result.”

Corporation of the Year
RBC

The corporation of the year award recognizes an organization operating in three or more provinces and having more than one-thousand employees in Canada that has made a significant contribution to the LGBT+ business movement in Canada through internal and external programs and policies.

“RBC has supported LGBT+ employees and customers, and is committed to purchasing from LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBE’s),” said McDonald.

“RBC is proud to be recognized by CGLCC as a strong partner of the LGBT community,” said Peter Conrod, RBC’s Global Head of Procurement. “Diversity and inclusion is one of the five values that guide our daily behaviors as an organization, and we firmly believe in the full inclusion of members of the LGBT community in our workplace, marketplace and communities.”

RBC is also a recipient of the inaugural BEQ Excellence Awards.

Business Leader of the Year
Paul Skippen
a partner at Deloitte LLP

The Business Leader of the Year Award recognizes an individual that has shown leadership in business, and who has made a significant contribution to the LGBT+ community in Canada. The contribution may be through business or volunteer activities with a corporation, educational institution, association, or non-profit agency.

“Paul’s commitment to his family made him a leader in reshaping how corporate Canada looks at parental leave, and his passion for equality in business has driven him to support students of business through his involvement in Start Proud (formally – Out on Bay Street),” said McDonald.

“I am honoured to have been recognized. In times like these, we are reminded how lucky we are to be Canadian,” said Paul Skippen.

Established in 2003, the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is a national, non-profit industry association. The CGLCC is a broad-based coalition representing the interests of LGBT+-owned businesses, professionals, and their allies. It promotes economic growth through advocacy and education, and works to advance the common business interests and opportunities of its members and stakeholders.

The CGLCC is the national certifying body for LGBT+ supplier diversity in Canada.