2019 Les Talentueuses Award Ceremony: Notre valeur ajou+ée

AQWF works to promote the added value of women in finance

MONTREAL, April 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Tonight, the Association of Québec Women in Finance (AQWF) celebrated its 14^th annual Les Talentueuses Gala, an award ceremony recognizing the achievements of professional women in Quebec who have made their mark in the financial sector. The event was chaired by Françoise E. Lyon, President of the AQWF Board of Directors, and hosted by Mitsou Gélinas, an entrepreneur, speaker, and radio and television personality.

"This year, exceptional women with remarkable professional backgrounds inspired the theme of the evening: Notre valeur ajou+ée. All too often, we fail to recognize the added value that diversity brings to finance. AQWF works tirelessly to help women take their rightful place!" explains Ms. E. Lyon.

A celebration highlighting diversity in finance

Diversity and inclusion are key to the success of companies around the world. Numerous studies show that gender diversity on executive teams is closely linked to employee satisfaction, effective leadership, innovation, and financial benefit.¹ Yet according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), women account for only 10% of senior executives in big companies and industries with high-earning top executives. Moreover, women have to deal with a double glass ceiling.²

"There are plenty of highly competent women in finance," observes Ms. E. Lyon. "The problem is the lack of diversity within businesses. In a multicultural society, why don't more women and people from cultural and ethnic backgrounds hold management positions? Diversity fosters not only a better understanding of our clients' issues but also better strategic support. When our teams are diverse, everyone wins—companies, employees, and clients."  

The importance of values

In addition to promoting diversity in finance, this year's theme "Notre valeur ajou+ée" illustrates the importance of the link between personal values and corporate values.

"Aligning personal values with the company's values is a central topic of discussion in the workplace. When organizational values are in harmony with our own core values, we're motivated to go that extra mile and we experience a sense of belonging. This is the balance that allows both women and men to bring their added value to the table. Tonight's winners are a shining example of our theme. They've put their added value to good use, for the benefit of their peers," Ms. E. Lyon adds. 

Winners of the 14th Les Talentueuses Award Ceremony

Inspiration – Andrée-Corriveau Award ("Special Recognition" award presented by the AQWF's Board of Directors)

Geneviève Morin, CEO, Anges Québec Capital

Alter Ego Award (presented to a man in recognition of a commitment to promote the place of women in finance)
Chadi Habib, Executive Vice President, Information Technology, Desjardins Group

Leadership Award
Sussy Galvez, Senior Advisor, Best Business Practices, National Bank Financial

Initiative Award: For the advancement of women in finance
Program: BMO pour Elles, BMO Financial Group

Rising Star Award
Laura Gheorghiu, Partner, Gowling WLG 

Desjardins Next Generation Award
Mélanie Michaud, student at Université Laval
Juliette Durant, student at HEC Montréal

RBC Royal Bank Next Generation Award
Maude Archambault, student at Bishop's University

CDPQ Next Generation Award

Lamiae Senhaji, student at HEC Montréal

The Association of Québec Women in Finance would like to thank its partners:

Key Partners: Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Desjardins, and RBC Royal Bank
President's Circle: National Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Desjardins, RBC Royal Bank
Elite: Aon, Canadian Bankers Association, Ordre des CPA du Québec, Manulife, CIBC
Premium: PricewaterhouseCoopers
Alliance: Air Canada and TD Bank
VIP Cocktail Reception: Lavery Lawyers
Standard Cocktail Reception: Langlois Lawyers
Outreach: Finance Montréal
Communications Partner: Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations

About the Association of Québec Women in Finance

The Association of Québec Women in Finance (AQWF) was created in May 2002 and is comprised of over 700 Québec women in finance. In addition to creating a mentoring program to support women in finance, AQWF offers its members professional development and networking activities, and works with young people at the academic level. Each year, the AQWF organizes several international business activities, thereby providing women in finance with unique access to a broad network of financial organizations spanning several countries.

Photos available upon request.

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1} http://cwse-prairies.ca/pages/skill-building/white_papers/french/2-Les-avantages-de-la-diversit-des-genres.pdf 
² https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsroom/news-releases/la-r%C3%A9mun%C3%A9ration-des-pdg-est-encore-pr%C3%A8s-des-niveaux-historiques-repr%C3%A9sentant

SOURCE Association of Québec Women in Finance

For further information: For more information, to schedule an interview, or to receive a complete list of AQWF ambassadors, please contact: Valérie Lavoie, Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations, T: 514-842-2455, ext. 21, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.affq.org