Nominations for this year’s RPA Women Entrepreneur Award are now open!
Know an inspiring woman in business who deserves recognition? Nominate her today!
The RPA Women Entrepreneur Awards (RPA-WEA) were established in 2019 by the Society of Professional Accountants of Canada (RPA Canada), under the new leadership of Zubair Choudhry, RPA, APA, to recognize and celebrate the achievements of exceptional women entrepreneurs and professionals. This signature event highlights the vital role women play in shaping Canada’s business landscape and driving economic growth.
As a key event during Small Business Week, the RPA Women Entrepreneur Awards Gala highlights the contributions of women-led businesses to Canada’s economy. Now in its seventh year, the gala continues to grow, bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and supporters to honor the success of women in business and professions
This year, the 7th Annual RPA Women Entrepreneur Awards Gala will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Hilton Hotel Meadowvale, 6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario.
The RPA Women Entrepreneur Awards (RPA-WEA) recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs across Canada who demonstrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and meaningful impact in their respective industries.
The primary objective of the RPA-WEA is to economically empower women and promote their active participation in decision-making—personally, professionally, and in their business operations. Additionally, the award aims to enhance the visibility of the entrepreneur’s products and services, increase brand awareness, and build trust and credibility within the business community.
This award will highlight the success stories of nominees and winners to inspire other women and girls to pursue entrepreneurship.
There are no fees required at any stage of the process—nominations, evaluations, or receiving the award. This award is granted entirely free of charge to the recipient in recognition of their accomplishments and success.
This year, awards will recognize recipients in these categories:
Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) are the backbone of the Canadian economy, making up an overwhelming 99.8% of all businesses across the country. Despite this strong presence, representation of women in these spaces remains a significant area for growth. Currently, only 19.5% of businesses are women-owned, highlighting the ongoing need for support and empowerment initiatives targeting women entrepreneurs.
Similarly, in the broader professional landscape, women represent just 35.3% of the professional workforce, underscoring persistent gaps in equity and leadership. These figures emphasize the importance of programs and platforms that encourage women’s full participation in business and professional fields, and the need for continued advocacy to close these gender gaps.
Be a part of the Women Entrepreneur success story and get the recognition you deserve!
The Women Entrepreneur Award (WEA) is a prestigious annual recognition program dedicated to celebrating and empowering exceptional women in business. It honors visionary leaders who have demonstrated outstanding innovation, resilience, and transformative leadership, making a lasting impact in their industries and communities
Any woman entrepreneur who has founded, owns, leads, or plays a pivotal role in the success and growth of a business or startup is eligible
No, there is no fee to submit a nomination for the Women Entrepreneur Award.
The nomination deadline for WEA 2025 is August 30, 2025. Stay updated by visiting our website or following us on social media.
Aselection committee will evaluate nominations based on innovation, impact, leadership, and overall contribution to the industry and community to determine the winners.