MLSE Inclusion & Belonging Leaders Awards

EDI Leaders are the hardworking and dedicated individuals who make sure that all team members are welcomed and valued, by creating, maintaining and enhancing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment throughout their organization.

These Leaders are the hardworking and dedicated individuals who make sure that all team members are welcomed and valued, by creating, maintaining and enhancing an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment throughout their organization. The GAIL MLSE Inclusion & Belonging Leaders Award recognizes DEI leadership professionals, regardless of gender, who show a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that challenges and eliminates systemic barriers that affect women and equity-deserving groups in particular. They are known champions of support, knowledge and advocacy about the experiences of Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons living with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

Requirements:
The nominee must be in a full-time position dedicated exclusively to diversity, equity and inclusion for a minimum of two years as of July 31, 2024, regardless of the tenure at one particular company (for example, the individual could have 1.5 years of experience at ABC Company, and 0.5 years at XYZ Company). Nominees of all genders are welcome.

Category Questions:
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Breaking Barriers
  How does the nominee challenge systemic barriers that affect women and equity-deserving groups in particular?
• Impact
  How has the nominee had an impact on creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment within their organization? In what ways has it contributed to the organizations’ success?
• Learning and Development
  In what ways has the nominee integrated current research, training and/or lived experiences of workplace issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion into their role?
• Action
  What policies, hiring procedures, and/or employee programs has the nominee integrated into their organization to support equity-deserving groups?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Is the nominee in a full-time position that is dedicated exclusively to diversity, equity, and inclusion?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
2. Has the nominee been active in their current role (or any DEI role) for a minimum of two years, as of July 31, 2024?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
3. Has the nominee been awarded a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the last five years? (e.g. 2020-2024 inclusive)
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for a GAIL award.

Executive Sponsors Award

The GAIL Executive Sponsors Award is awarded to all genders who help professional women expand their career paths through internal advocacy, sponsorship, access to training and development, career advancement opportunities, and introductions to influential people.

In addition to being an advocate, the GAIL Executive Sponsor also champions the inclusion and belonging of a women-focused ERG's efforts and acts as an inclusive role model for the organization. They use their influence to break down barriers, champion initiatives, push for budgets, and use their voice to make an impact.

Requirements:
- The nominee must be in a leadership or executive position with the ability to influence organizational policies and practices.
- The nominee must have demonstrated a commitment to advocating for the career advancement and development of women within their organization.
- The nominee must have actively supported women-focused Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) or other initiatives that promote inclusion and belonging for women in the workplace.
- Nominees of all genders are eligible.
- The nominee must have been actively involved in sponsorship or advocacy efforts for a minimum of two years as of July 31, 2024.

Category Questions:
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Advocacy and Sponsorship
  How does the nominee demonstrate advocacy and sponsorship by actively championing the professional growth and development of women in the workplace? How does the nominee use their influence and resources to help break down barriers and create opportunities for women to succeed?
• Inclusion and Belonging
  How does the nominee support and advocate for women-focused employee resource groups (ERGs) or other women-focused initiatives? How does the nominee act as an inclusive role model for the organization?
• Influence and Impact
  How has the nominee made a meaningful impact and influenced positive change within the organization? How have they used their voice to advocate for resources, budgets, and policies that support the advancement of women in the workplace?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Has the nominee been actively involved in sponsorship or advocacy for women’s professional growth within the organization for a minimum of two years as of July 31, 2024?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
2. Is the nominee in a leadership or executive position with the ability to influence organizational policies and practices?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
3. Has the nominee been awarded a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the last five years? (e.g. 2020-2024 inclusive)
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for a GAIL award.

Global Thought Leaders Award

The GAIL Global Thought Leaders Award is awarded to all genders who have made significant contributions to progressing women in leadership on a North American or international scale. This award also celebrates individuals who have demonstrated expert leadership and commitment to promoting inclusion and belonging in their respective fields.

To be considered for this prestigious recognition of excellence, individuals must have demonstrated a proven track record in their field, innovative thinking, and significant contributions to the advancement of women whether through research, education, or policy change.

The award recognizes that gender equality and inclusivity are everyone's responsibility, and it celebrates individuals who have shown a commitment to advancing these causes.

Requirements:
- The nominee must have demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in their respective field, with a proven track record of advancing gender equality and inclusivity, particularly in promoting women in leadership.
- The nominee must have a North American or international presence, actively contributing to the advancement of women through initiatives such as research, education, advocacy, or policy change.
- Nominees of all genders are eligible.
- The nominee must be actively contributing to their field for a minimum of three years as of July 31, 2024.

Category Questions:
One of the key criteria for winning a Global Thought Leaders Award is the demonstration of exceptional expertise in one’s field. Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated Expertise
  How does the nominee demonstrate understanding of the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership on a national and/or international basis? How has the nominee provided innovative and strategic insights that push the boundaries of current thinking? How have they disrupted the existing status quo and explored unchartered territories?
• Thought Leadership
  How has the nominee articulated a compelling vision, challenged conventional wisdom, and inspired others to think differently? How has the nominee demonstrated thought leadership through published articles and papers, presentations, speaking engagements, research and other forms of communication?
• Influence and Impact
  How has the nominee created a meaningful and lasting impact on their industry or discipline? What is the nominee’s number of social media followers, subscribers, or readers, reach and engagement of their content? Describe the nominee’s ideas adopted by others.
• Reputation and Recognition
  Describe the nominee’s reputation and regard by peers, industry experts, and the wider community. How is the nominee recognized as a preeminent expert and spokesperson in the advancement of women in business? Speak to the nominee’s endorsements, testimonials, awards, and other forms of recognition.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning and Growth
  How has the nominee committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development? Describe how the nominee stays up-to-date on or creates new industry trends and developments. How does the nominee seek out new opportunities for collaboration and partnership and push themselves to think bigger and bolder?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Has the nominee actively contributed to promoting women in leadership on a North American or international scale for a minimum of three years as of July 31, 2024?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
2. Has the nominee been awarded a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the last five years? (e.g. 2020-2024 inclusive)
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for a GAIL award.

Inclusion Vanguard Award

Inclusion and belonging is about more than business results and the bottom line. It also changes lives. And no one appreciates that more than the winners of our GAIL Inclusion Vanguard Award, a prestigious honor given to the most outstanding DEI champions, advocates and change-makers. The GAIL Inclusion Vanguard winners are champions for change who have made a profound and measurable impact, bettering the experience of their colleagues and counterparts and a broader community of clients and contacts. This award honors female leaders who have made a thoughtful and appreciable impact on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Requirements:
The nominee must be a self-identifying woman who is, but not limited to:
- from a public or privately held company, a government corporation or not-for-profit organization
- from an international public or privately held company
- a Head of a university/college
- a Director of a hospital
- an activist, former politician, and/or educator

Category Questions:
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Change Agent
  How has the nominee been an agent of change? What examples illustrate the distinct and describable difference they make to the diversity, equity and inclusion agendas within her workplace and broader community?
• Role Model
  How has this individual acted as a role model to showcase and shape behaviors and outcomes that support diversity, equity and inclusion?
• New Ideas
  How does this individual seek and consider different perspectives? How do they act on them and show that they are open to disruption?
• Impact
  How has the nominee had a measurable impact on equity, diversity and inclusion at the local, regional, national and international levels?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Has the nominee been awarded a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the last five years? (e.g. 2020-2024 inclusive)
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for a GAIL award.

Ally of Excellence Award

Creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace for women takes the participation and engagement of everyone. Allies use their influence, knowledge and resources to support the representation of women in leadership positions, help make diverse voices heard and ensure commitments to equity and inclusion are taken seriously. The GAIL Ally of Excellence Award recognizes ally leaders who are not women, who demonstrate outstanding commitment to supporting and advancing the representation of women in leadership positions. Nominees advocate for gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the spectrum, promote a broader diversity agenda, champion change and make a significant and meaningful contribution to gender equality in the workplace, to their peers, and to the community at large.

Requirements:
The nominee must be an ally who does not identify as female, who is in an executive leadership role, including but not limited to:
- from a public or privately held company, a government corporation or not-for-profit organization
- from an international public or privately held company
- a Head of a university/college
- a Director of a hospital
- an activist, former politician, and/or educator

Category Questions:
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Representation
  In what ways does the nominee demonstrate an outstanding commitment to supporting and advancing the representation of women in leadership positions?
• Leading by Example
  How does the nominee model their commitment to gender equality in the workplace, to their peers, and to the community at large?
• Advocacy
  In what ways does the nominee advocate for gender equality in their field, with an intersectional perspective? How does the nominee challenge systemic barriers that affect women and equity-deserving groups in particular?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Is the nominee in an executive leadership position that oversees the strategies and processes of the organization? (For example, but not limited to: Chair of the board, CEO, Governor, C-Suite Executive, Executive Director, President).
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
2. Does the nominee self-identify as female?
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for this award category.
3. Has the nominee been awarded a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 award in the last five years? (e.g. 2020-2024 inclusive)
If the answer is "Yes", they are not eligible for a GAIL award.

Workplace Impact Award

The GAIL Workplace Impact Award is awarded to companies prioritizing professional women's development and advancement within their workplace. They excel at advancing an inclusive culture through diverse hiring practices, training & development programs specifically for women, ERGs, and leadership commitment through mentorship and sponsorship programs. It is paramount that the company provides concrete evidence of progress in the representation of women in all leadership positions. Additionally, the company should exhibit tangible achievements with a minimum of 40% gender parity on their boards.

Requirements:

- The company must be a for-profit organization, such as a Fortune 500 company.
- The company must demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing women’s development and career progression, particularly in leadership roles.
- The company must have at least 35% gender parity on their board of directors.
- The company must have at least 40% gender parity in executive leadership roles.
- The company must provide evidence of concrete initiatives, programs, and practices aimed at creating an inclusive culture.
- The company must be able to provide tangible evidence of diverse hiring and promotion practices, with a focus on women from diverse backgrounds.

Category Questions:
Nominees are judged on the following criteria:

• Diverse Hiring & Promotion Practices
  How does the company demonstrate diverse hiring practices, both externally and internally? How does the company actively recruit, hire, and promote women from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that its workforce represents a wide range of perspectives and experiences?
• Training & Development Programs for Women
  What training and development programs do the company have that are specifically designed for women in leadership? How do the programs provide women with the necessary skills and resources to advance their careers and take on leadership roles?
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
  How does the company excel in creating Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on gender diversity? Describe how the company provides a supportive community for women, such as networking opportunities, mentorship, and a platform to discuss important issues related to gender equality.
• Leadership Commitment
  Leadership commitment plays a crucial role in driving diversity and inclusivity within the workplace. How does the company showcase a commitment from top-level executives to support women’s advancement through sponsorship programs?
• Representation of Women in Leadership Positions
  Provide concrete evidence of progress in the representation of women in all leadership positions within the company. What is the ratio of women to men on the company’s board? What is the ratio of women to men in the company’s executive leadership roles? How does the company ensure that all women including diverse groups are well-represented in decision-making roles?

Qualifying Questions:
1. Is the company a for-profit organization, such as a Fortune 500 company?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
2. Has the company achieved a minimum of 35% gender parity on their board of directors?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
3. Has the company achieved a minimum of 40% gender parity in executive leadership roles?
If the answer is “No”, they are not eligible for this award category.
4. Does the company have concrete programs specifically designed for the advancement of women, such as training, mentorship, sponsorship, or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on gender diversity?
If the answer is "No", they are not eligible for this award category.
5. Is the company able to provide evidence of progress in the representation of women in all leadership positions (e.g., senior management, C-suite roles, executive leadership)?
If the answer is "No", they are not eligible for this award category.