Making Change
Nominations are open for the Christine Bergeron Woman Entrepreneur Award.
Vancity and WeBC are proud to present the Christine Bergeron Award, recognizing a woman-identifying or non-binary entrepreneur who is an innovative changemaker in their community and demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through conscious actions that help address climate change. The award is a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of women entrepreneurs who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and leadership in building successful businesses that contribute to their communities and beyond. This award honours Christine’s legacy and encourages other women to follow in her footsteps.
About Christine Bergeron.
Christine Bergeron dedicated her career to organizations that put people first, leading companies that build sustainable communities and allocate capital to influence positive change.
Christine passed away in early 2026. She was a visionary leader who championed entrepreneurship and innovation, dedicating herself to enacting positive change throughout her remarkable 25-year career. She worked with entrepreneurs, financed innovative companies, and built financial firms, while always looking to embed sustainability into business strategy.
She was the president and CEO at Concert Properties and previously served as president and CEO of Vancity Group and chair of WeBC. She was also a founding team member of Chrysalix Energy, a pioneer in cleantech investing, and co-founded a successful alternative asset management firm to further advance sustainability financing.
This new award celebrates the extraordinary achievements of woman-identifying or non-binary entrepreneurs who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and leadership in building successful businesses that contribute to their communities and beyond.
Christine Bergeron
Award criteria.
We’re looking for nominees who demonstrate the following:
Innovation and impact
- Demonstrates innovative approaches in her business or community projects.
- Has a measurable positive impact on her community through her entrepreneurial activities.
- Introduces new ideas, products, or services that address community needs.
Sustainability and climate action
- Actively incorporates sustainable practices in her business operations.
- Makes conscious decisions to reduce carbon footprint and promote environmental stewardship.
- Engages in initiatives that contribute to fighting climate change and promoting a sustainable future.
Leadership and community engagement
- Exhibits strong leadership qualities and inspires others in her community.
- Actively participates in community development and social responsibility initiatives.
- Mentors and supports other women entrepreneurs and community members.
Ethical business practices
- Upholds high ethical standards in business operations.
- Demonstrates transparency, integrity, and accountability in all business dealings.
- Puts people at the centre of every decision.
- Promotes fair trade, ethical sourcing, and responsible consumption.
Resilience and adaptability
- Shows resilience in overcoming challenges and adapting to changing circumstances.
- Demonstrates the ability to pivot and innovate in response to market or environmental changes.
- Maintains a positive and proactive approach to problem-solving.
Nomination and selection process.
Eligibility
Women entrepreneurs who’ve been in business for at least twelve months, are clients of WeBC, and are either Vancity members or have journeyed through Vancity’s Women Entrepreneur Program are eligible. Nominations may be submitted by the entrepreneur herself or by a third party.
Nomination submission
Applications should include a detailed description of the nominee’s achievements, impact, and alignment with the award criteria. Supporting documents such as business plans, testimonials, and media coverage can be included.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday 2nd, October 2026.
Selection committee
A diverse panel of judges with expertise in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community development will review and evaluate nominees based on the award criteria and select the recipient.
Award announcement
The recipient will be announced virtually on Vancity and WeBC social media channels and websites on Thursday 19th, November 2026.
2025 recipient: Awl Together Leather.
At WeBC, we recognize that women entrepreneurs dared to do business differently. We’re proud to partner with Vancity, whose bold commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs continues to drive positive change in our economy.
Shauna Harper
WeBC•CEO
AwlTogether Leather has demonstrated leadership, not only within their own operations but also across the broader community. By sharing their knowledge and skills, they inspire others to join them in making a meaningful impact. Their commitment to sustainability and revitalizing the cobbling trade breathes new life into a time-honoured craft, proving that business can be both purposeful and transformative.
Vicky Sharma Lal
Vancity•Small Business Adivsor
Become the next recipient.
Nomination deadline: October 2, 2026.