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Bold ideas, fearless leadership and plenty of audacity: that's what the Bold by Veuve Clicquot Woman Awards are all about. Inspired by Madame Clicquot who pioneered techniques still defining Champagne today these awards celebrate an extraordinary lineup of change makers across Canada.
This year, the spotlight shines on two categories: the Bold Woman Award, recognising established entrepreneurs whose businesses have been driving change for more than five years, and the Bold Future Award, honouring emerging founders breaking new ground with fresh, innovative ideas.
On April 21st, during an exceptional evening held in Toronto, the two winners of the Bold Woman Award Canada 2026 were revealed. A look back at a memorable ceremony, where six remarkable finalists were celebrated before the winners of each category were announced.
Discover the laureates below!
Orlane Panet is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of MicroHabitat, the world’s largest urban farming network operating across Canada, the United States and Europe. She is a visionary leader focused on integrating nature, community and responsible growth into cities. She works with real estate partners to transform rooftops and underused spaces into urban farms that improve biodiversity, reduce heat island effects and enhance tenant well-being. Committed to a People–Planet–Profit approach, MicroHabitat supports food security initiatives through partners such as Breakfast Club of Canada, No Kid Hungry and over 75 food banks. Orlane is recognized as a Top 25 Woman of Influence and an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient and is a leading voice in sustainable real estate innovation.
Venesse Lewis is an award-winning author, entrepreneur and advocate empowering children within the Black community. She is the founder of Niya’s Coily World, a platform celebrating hair diversity and promoting self-love through storytelling and education. Her work addresses issues such as hair discrimination while helping children build confidence and embrace their natural hair. Through books and interactive workshops, she creates engaging experiences that encourage kids to celebrate their authentic selves. In just two years, she has reached over 400 children through school and library visits. She has also partnered with major hair care brands, secured retail placement with Winners (TJX), and spoken for organizations including Loblaws and the Black Business and Professional Association.
Tanya Hayles is a keynote speaker and strategist helping individuals and organisations navigate career, business and identity transitions. She works with teams, entrepreneurs and professionals to translate skills and confidence across roles, industries and life pivots. With 20 years of event planning experience, she founded the ioe agency, supporting global brands and culture-makers in delivering profitable, purposeful and stress-free events. She is also the founder of Black Moms Connection, a global community of 50,000 and a national non-profit launched in 2015 that empowers Black mothers and their families through culturally relevant programs. Her TEDx talk on Black motherhood ranked among the top five globally upon release. Recognized as a Top 25 Woman of Influence and L’Oréal Woman of Worth honoree, she continues to work at the intersection of community, business and culture.
Sherry Larjani is President and Founder of Spotlight Development, an award-winning real estate firm she established in 2010. With over 15 years of experience, she leads residential, commercial and mixed-use projects focused on innovation, inclusivity and design excellence. Her work is centered on shaping high-density urban communities and advancing solutions to Canada’s housing crisis, with a focus on sustainable and affordable housing. She is a vocal advocate for better-designed, attainable homes that support the families who live in them. Sherry is also Co-Founder of Reina, Canada’s first all-female real estate development team, created with Urban Capital to promote gender equity in the industry. She founded the Aria Foundation, supporting non-profit housing partners and helping lower-income families achieve homeownership, and serves on several charitable boards.
Prishita Agarwal is a purpose driven entrepreneur and Co-Founder & CEO of Mosa, a Canadian brand transforming waste into opportunity. She has rescued over 80,000 glass bottles from landfills and built a nationally recognized company now stocked in more than 70 retail stores. She moved to Canada as an international student at UBC with no network, driven by a mission to build something meaningful. Earlier, at age 13 in India, she launched a venture supporting student mental health. After graduation, she turned down a six-figure consulting role to grow Mosa, reimagining the promotional products industry by turning discarded bottles into handcrafted candles and glassware.She is recognized as a BC Business 30 Under 30 and Corporate Knights Top 30 Under 30 honoree, and is a TEDx speaker and Coralus Activator supporting women and non-binary founders.
Cindy Millien is a professional makeup artist and founder of Millie Cosmétiques, an inclusive beauty brand based in Quebec. Her passion for makeup began at 16 and quickly grew into a clear entrepreneurial path. Raised in a modest Haitian family, she initially followed a traditional academic route before pursuing professional makeup training and entrepreneurship courses. She built her career as a freelance makeup artist, growing her clientele while working in beauty salons. In 2017, she opened her first studio in a small room in her mother’s apartment, marking the start of her entrepreneurial journey. In 2024, she launched Millie Cosmétiques, now carried in more than 15 retail locations across Quebec. Alongside her brand, she has taught makeup classes and tutorials, which led to the creation of Makeup to Money, a program helping women turn their passion into income. In 2026, she opened a Montreal studio dedicated to beauty, education and female entrepreneurship.
Bold by Veuve Clicquot is an international program born in 1972 and designed for greater inclusion, greater impact, and greater visibility for women business leaders.
Built around numerous moments of exchange and inspiration, Bold by Veuve Clicquot encourages generations of women to be ever bolder.
