Frequently Asked Questions
Nominations Process
The 2026 Businesswoman of the Year Awards nominations open February 16, 2026 and close April 10, 2026. Applications are due May 4, 2026 - 7pm.
It is widely acknowledged that women entrepreneurs and business leaders are highly committed and diligent individuals. However, it is observed that they tend to be quite modest in their approach towards their accomplishments. Therefore, it is highly recommended to nominate and be nominated for awards to receive due recognition for their hard work. This strategy not only enhances the credibility of the business but also helps with promotion. Furthermore, being a finalist in such awards offer opportunities to network and establish new connections in Ottawa, which can be highly advantageous for the business and personal growth.
When nominating someone for the prestigious BYAs award, the committee will promptly send an email to the nominee, providing them with all the necessary information to participate. The nominee will be respectfully asked to select a category/sub-category that best showcases their business acumen, leadership skills, achievements in their area of expertise, and community involvement. Once the nominee accepts the nomination, they will receive an application kit that contains all the details they require to complete their application with ease. After filling out and submitting the application online, the nominee will have completed the process. WBN is deeply committed to supporting nominees throughout the process to ensure a seamless and positive experience.
Certainly! We highly recommend and welcome individuals to consider nominating themselves.
Yes. Some of our applicants apply 2-3 years before even making it to the finalist round. But we often see that this perseverance is met with great rewards—like winning!
As per our guidelines, past recipients are welcome to submit their applications again, this time under a different category. For instance, if someone has received the Entrepreneurial Leader award earlier, they may consider applying for the Lifetime Achievement, Community Impact, or Enterprise Leader category, based on their achievements and contributions.
Of course! We are looking for the very best candidates for the BYA awards. Nominations are received from men and women in the community.
No! We would like to extend an invitation to all women who have achieved success in their respective fields to be nominated for recognition. We are proud to celebrate the inspiring and accomplished businesswomen in Ottawa, and welcome nominations from both within and outside the WBN network.
While it is not necessary for you to have a personal acquaintance with your nominee, kindly ensure that you have accurate information such as their First Name, Last Name, Email, Organization, and Position to complete the nomination process.
We kindly request you to select the category that best aligns with the nominee's qualifications. Please note that the nominee will have the flexibility to adjust the category selection upon accepting the nomination.
As a nominator, you have the power to recognize and celebrate the achievements of multiple individuals through the awards program. Remember, each person deserves to be acknowledged for their unique contributions. Let's make this a celebration of excellence for all!
Application Process
To apply for the Annual Businesswoman of the Year Awards, nominees must meet all eligibility criteria. Please review the following basic eligibility criteria to determine if you qualify:
- You must self-identify as a woman; and
- You must live and work within a fifty-five (55) kilometers radius of Ottawa Centre. (Click on the map below for an interactive version.)
Our guidelines are designed to help you put your best foot forward. When applying, please remember that you are allowed to apply to only one category at a time. If you have applied before, you may be able to reuse much of your previous content for the new application. Keep in mind that some aspects of the application may need updating to meet the revised requirements. We deeply appreciate your cooperation and understanding throughout the process.
Congratulations! You're making great progress. It's not uncommon for our applicants to apply for 2-3 years before reaching the finalist round. But we've seen time and time again that persistence pays off - and can even lead to winning!
When you receive a nomination, know that you are one step closer to achieving great things! You will receive an email asking you to confirm your acceptance and category, and the next step is to fill out the online application. Remember that our team must receive your nomination acceptance and application to proceed. Keep pushing forward towards your dreams!
The nomination process for the award is open to everyone and does not undergo any screening at this stage. However, to become a finalist, the nominees have to complete a rigorous application, which is then reviewed and vetted by independent selection committees. The finalists will be announced at the Finalists Reception. Following this, the finalists will go through a second evaluation by a different selection committee. The recipients of the award will be announced during the Gala event. This process ensures that the recipients not only excel in their respective fields but also demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and community involvement.
The Entrepreneurial Award Category is one of the most prestigious awards, and to be considered for it, we require some data points from the entrants. It is a vital and quantifiable indicator of success that our selection committees take into account. However, we also recognize that non-financial success factors are equally essential for the entrepreneurial leader category. We assure you that all information submitted by the entrants is kept highly confidential, and our selection committees are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement. Rest assured that this information is not shared with the public or any sponsors, ensuring complete privacy and security. Feel free to include any comments you feel are relevant to help the selection committee understand your business and its metrics.
There are 5 metrics within the Success Factors section.
The calculations should be shown using the results from the two most recently completed fiscal years. For example, if you have a December year end, please use 2025 and 2024 numbers in your calculations. You can choose to speak about your current year in progress in the comments box.
Operational revenue - this is your 'top line' revenue from your sales of products and/or services. In the comments, speak to comparisons to your industry, analyze year over year growth, explain strategy or refer to where discussed elsewhere in your application. Calculate your growth rate over the last two completed fiscal years and include in the comment box.
Financial health and liquidity - calculate your current ratio - the formula is current assets divided by current liabilities and demonstrates your business's working capital and its ability to pay its liabilities/expenses. These numbers can be found on the Balance Sheet of your business financial statements. Comment on the strength of your ratio. Generally, a ratio of 1.5 or higher demonstrates sound working capital management.
Team size - indicate the number of employees in the business at the end of each of the same two fiscal periods and comment on the changes. Include yourself in these numbers.
Workforce stability - calculate the turnover rate in your team. This is calculated as the number of separations divided by the average number of employees in a year multiplied by 100. Comment on the changes in your workforce compared to industry standards and any successes or challenges you may have had.
Customer base - indicate the number of customers of the business for the same two time periods and comment on the changes over this period.
- Attend our Application Support session! See the registration link in the email you received after accepting your nomination.
- Get help – you are encouraged to seek mentors or professional advice in the preparation of your application. Additionally, you are not prohibited from seeking paid assistance to draft your application.
- More “me” then “we” – this award celebrates an individual woman. Take credit where credit is due.
- Details matter – provide concrete examples to highlight your successes, demonstrate and lay it out clearly for the selection committee. For the entrepreneur category, be sure to complete the success factors section as well.
- Repetition – try not to repeat yourself in multiple sections. The word count is limited, ensure you are providing as much information as possible within the limitations.
Don’t hesitate to contact the BYA Nominations Committee for any further questions or concerns.
Selection Process
To apply for the Businesswoman of the Year Award, you need to follow three simple steps:
Step 1: Get nominated
If you have received an email informing you that you have been nominated, congratulations! If you haven't received a nomination yet, you can nominate yourself.
Step 2: Confirm your participation
All nominees must click on the link provided in the email to accept their nomination and confirm the category in which they will be applying. This step confirms that you are eligible to apply for the award, and the information you provide here is an essential part of your application.
Step 3: Submit your formal application
Once you have successfully confirmed your eligibility, you will be able to download the application kit and complete the online application. This application is the final step in submitting your entry.
First of all, congratulations!
You will have one more deliverable that will be used in the selection process. You will be given instructions and questions to answer in a short video to be sent to us.
From there, the BYA Gala committee will be in touch to help you prepare for the gala and assist you in leveraging the recognition as a finalist.
There will be a mandatory photo shoot as well as various optional events that in the past have included everything from dress shopping to public speaking coaching to breakfast with the Mayor.
The key is to enjoy being a finalist and make it work for you and your business!
The selection committee is composed of accomplished individuals who have been recognized in their respective fields and are committed to identifying and supporting the next generation of leaders. Their expertise and experience ensure a fair and impartial selection process. We are proud to have such a diverse and talented group of individuals working together to identify the most deserving candidates. The BYA Nominations committee itself does not select the finalists/recipients, but rather runs the process to ensure it is unbaised.
The selection committee remains committed to recognizing excellence, however feedback is not provided to the applicants.
Don’t hesitate to contact the BYA Nominations Committee for any further questions or concerns.
