Our Inaugural Year

Our sold-out inaugural Women of Inspiration™ Awards welcomed 200 women who gathered to celebrate, connect, and honour difference-makers shaping their communities.

Founded to recognize the influence of Diane L. Harms — the very first Woman of Inspiration™ — the 2015 awards featured a single honour, presented personally by Deputy Mayor Diane Colley-Urquhart and Manjit Minhas. Special guests included Michelle Morgan (CBC’s Heartland), W. Brett Wilson, Sophie Serafino, and Aly Pain.

That moment ignited a movement.

What began with one award has grown into a national platform recognizing women across industries and backgrounds who lead by example, spark change, and inspire others to pursue their dreams.

Since 2015, we have welcomed more than 1,200 attendees, celebrated 100+ nominees, and awarded 20 Women of Inspiration™ Awards to extraordinary leaders across Canada and beyond.

More than 400 women — and a few remarkable male allies — came together on October 1, 2016, as the Women of Inspiration™ Awards continued to grow in both scale and impact. Forty finalists were recognized for their leadership and contributions, demonstrating that every woman has a story worth celebrating.

Tamara Jones was named the 2016 Woman of Inspiration™. A fierce and unrelenting advocate for addressing violence in the home, Tamara’s leadership reminds us that one voice can spark meaningful social change.

Eight additional awards honoured women creating ripples of influence across diverse fields:
Teresa de Grosbois – Game Changer
Elizabeth Lewis – Difference Maker
Aretha Greatrix – Cultural Ambassador
Lana Wright – Mentorship
Kim Deep – Boss Chick
Mackenzie Murphy – Millennial Leader
Jacqueline Cameron – Health & Wellness
Donna Dahl – Lifetime Achievement

Award recipients were presented with Calgary’s traditional symbol of honour — the iconic White Hat — along with signature Hillberg & Berk sparkle ball jewellery, professional portraits, and curated beauty experiences.

The evening featured keynote speaker Dr. Shawne Duperon, six-time Emmy Award winner, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and founder of Project Forgive, who described a Woman of Inspiration™ as “a woman who speaks her truth, especially in the most courageous circumstances. She allows her passion to be bigger than any fear.”

Additional speakers included Maggie MacKillop (HomeFront), Shauna Walker (The Spa Ritual), and Rachel Mielke (Hillberg & Berk), each sharing personal chapters of resilience and success — a living reminder that every woman has a story.

The event also welcomed Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist W. Brett Wilson, whose reflections on supporting women-led companies underscored the power of allies and community.

Creative Partners:Mark Laurie, Inner Spirit Photography; Maison Blu & Influence Salon; Hillberg & Berk