Business in Vancouver is seeking nominations for the 27th edition of its prestigious Influential Women in Business Awards program. Since 2000, these awards have recognized outstanding B.C.-based business executives, entrepreneurs and professionals with distinguished track records of leadership in the private or public sector, within companies, not-for-profit organizations or institutions. Honourees are chosen based on career accomplishments, leadership, influence, and community involvement.
At the discretion of the judging panel — which includes BIV's editor-in-chief, past award winners and sponsor representatives — BIV will recognize between four and six women in the 2026 awards program.
Recipients will be profiled in a 2026 issue of BIV's newspaper, and honoured at an awards luncheon March 6, 2026.
Eligibility:
- Nominees must be based in British Columbia
- Nominees must be female
- Nominees must be available to attend the awards luncheon on March 6, 2026 if selected
- Nominees must not have previously received this award
Criteria:
Winners are selected based on their successes and contributions across the three broad areas listed below. If included in the nomination package, judges will also consider the context for each individual's success success, such as unique challenges an individual may have overcome in order to progress and excel in their career.
This awards program has recognized individuals outside of business, including health care and the non-profit sector. In these cases, judges will consider how an individual has grown, contributed to and led their organization. They will also look for engagement with the business and broader community, as they do for all candidates.
In considering each nominee, judges will use the following weighting:
50% Professional, entrepreneurial and business success
o Significant accomplishments in business and in the candidate’s industry
o Career growth and development
o Past distinctions and awards
o Professional designations, educational qualifications, memberships and licences
30% Power and influence
o Board appointments
o Roles in key decisions and initiatives
o Innovation and vision within an organization
o Leadership beyond in industry and beyond an organization
20% Community involvement
o Membership in associations
o Engagement in business community or industry initiatives
o Philanthropy and volunteer activity
o Active participation in mentorship as a mentor
o Advocacy for women in business
The nomination package must include:
- A completed nomination form
- Two letters of support for the nominee, from individuals affiliated with two separate organizations
- A copy of the nominee's up-to-date CV
- The nominee's bio (one page maximum)
- A high resolution headshot of the nominee
Notes:
- If the form is left before it is submitted, the submission will not be saved
- Nominators may submit nominations for more than one individual.
- Self-nominations are accepted
- Do not submit multiple nominations for one individual
- All nomination forms and supporting materials must be submitted online, through this platform
- All information included must be accurate and will be fact-checked
- Information supplied to support an individual's nomination (such as facts and statements used to demonstrate their success) may be published in an announcement, if the nominee is selected
- Contact information and the identity of the nominator will not be published
- Facts, data and examples that illustrate how the nominee meets the award criteria, and that provide context for their achievements and influence, are critical to the judging process. Nominations that provide detailed, factual information are given greater consideration than narrative-driven nominations that make claims without concrete examples.
- You will receive a confirmation email upon submitting your nomination. If you do not receive this email, please contact events@biv.com to ensure the nomination was received.
NOMINATIONS DEADLINE:
August 29, 2025 at 12 p.m.
PREVIEW THE FULL FORM HERE