Ahead of International Women's Day (March 8), Women in Music Canada (WIMC) honoured 18 women and gender-diverse industry innovators at its second-annual awards gala last night (March 5) at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre.
The Beaches were named Artist of the Year, succeeding Charlotte Cardin, who was given the title last year. Fellow songwriters and performers Witch Prophet and Maylee Todd were also recognized — the former as a Rising Leader and the latter for International Achievement.
"This year’s awards program garnered over 350 submissions of strong women and gender diverse leaders," Robyn Stewart, Executive Director of Women in Music, said. "It’s an incredible indication of the supreme change makers who are paving the way and moving the needle on equity. I am humbled by all nominees and honourees celebrated tonight. Thank you also to the jury members who did not have an easy job of narrowing down those who would be honoured this year. I look forward to continuing to support the great work being done in this community."
See the full list of this year's WIMC Honours winners below.
Artist of the Year (presented by Amazon Music)
The Beaches
Changemaker of the Year (presented by the National Arts Centre)
Erin Benjamin
Entrepreneur of the Year (presented by Believe and TuneCore)
Lisa Patterson
Excellence in Live Music
Mira Silvers, FORT Agency
Founders Honour
Samantha Slattery
International Achievement Leader of the Year
Maylee Todd
Organization of the Year
Music Nova Scotia
Rising Leader Awards
Ayo Leilani, Witch Prophet
Angie Randisi, recording engineer
Good and Plenty Producers Club
Katrina Kernaghan, TikTok Canada Head of Music
Seny Kassaye, co-owner of FORT Agency
Career Achievement Honours
Katrina Lopes, president of KL Management
Melissa Langley, DJ MelBoogie
Lisa Zbitnew, president and owner/operator of the Phoenix Concert Theatre and Bronsen Centre Music Theatre
Shauna de Cartier, label co-owner and manager, Six Shooter Records
Susan Rosenberg, Sr. Vice President Marketing Global Touring at Live Nation
Yvonne Matsell, promoter
