The finalists for the 2026 Businesswoman of the Year awards have been announced.
The awards, run by the Women’s Business Network, recognize the achievements of women in business across the capital.
Last week, the organization announced the 15 local women who emerged from a pool of nominees. The five categories highlight both new and established women business leaders, as well as those who have impacted the broader community.
The finalists will gather at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa on Oct. 14 for the Businesswoman of the Year gala, where the winners will be announced. This year’s event will be chaired by Caitlin Spearing, founder of OMG Social Media Agency, and Jennifer Reynolds, a family lawyer and divorce mediator with Fresh Legal.
Emerging Entrepreneurial Leader
Julia Reid, co-founder and clinic director at Play on Pediatric Therapy
Veronique Daoust, founder and owner of Naturally Vero
Rebecca Chambers, founder of RISE Academy
Established Entrepreneurial Leader
Dale Allen, co-founder of ConsciousLead
Christine Harrison, founder of Focus Forward Health
Vanessa Riddell, founder of SACHI
Enterprise Leader Award
Francesca Davila, director of development and communications at Harmony House
Laura Lee Brenneman, business centre manager at BDC Ottawa
Michelle Crogie, executive director of Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario
Lifetime Achievement Award
Marry Gunaratnam, chief information technology officer at Northern Credit Union
Janice McDonald, author and co-creator of CD Warehouse
Michelle Groulx, former chief advocate of the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas and city council candidate for Kitchissippi Ward
Community Impact Award
Emily Jones Joanisse, co-founder and volunteer CEO of Connected Canadians
Helen Hirsh Spence, founder of Top Sixty Over Sixty
Janet McKeage, senior investment counsellor at RBC PH&N Investment Counsel and acting chair of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation
