L2BPO aims to recognize exemplary achievement within our community to help to provide LGBTQ+ students and young professionals with examples to emulate and aspire to.
Achievement
Exclusivity
Prestige
Professionalism
2021 Leaders To Be Proud Of Awards
Initiated in 2011, the Leaders To Be Proud Of Awards has recognized exceptional LGBTQ+ Leaders and Allies within Canada.
The 2021 Leaders To Be Proud Of Awards Reception will take place in October in Downtown Toronto with limited in-person attendance supplemented by an online broadcast.
Award Categories
Start Proud is offering 6 awards for the 2021 Leaders To Be Proud Of Awards:
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Professional Leader Award
Technology Leader Award
Emerging Leader Award
Leading Executive Ally Award
LGBTQ+ Advocate Award
Refer to the “Award Criteria” below for more information. Nominations are open now until September 12th, 2021. Any questions on the awards program should be directed to John Pehar at awards@startproud.org
2019 Award Winners
*people’s titles are what they were when they won

Heather Conway
Board Director of Great-West Life and Amercian Express Bank of Canada
Lifetime Achievement Award

Miguel Mendes
Chief Compliance Officer, BMO Investments Inc.
Professional Leader Award

Kevin Coon
Partner, Baker McKenzie
Leading Executive Ally Award

Reshad Ali
Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, Dentons
Emerging Leader Award

Lauren McCallum
Global Managing Director, Mill Film
Technology Leader Award

Larissa Holmes
Vice President of Talent, Borrowell
Pride at Work Canada Advocate Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Helen Kennedy
Executive Director – Egale Canada
Professional Leadership Award
Brett House
Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist – Scotiabank
Leading Executive Ally Award
Malcolm Lang
Chief Financial Officer – TD Securities
Pride At Work Canada Advocate Award
Kimberly Messer
North America Business Development Leader, Global Diversity & LGBT + Markets – IBM
Technology Leader Award
Dax Dasilva
Founder & CEO, Lightspeed and Founder – Never Apart
Emerging Leader Award
Pam Hrick
Lawyer – Stockwoods Barristers
Lifetime Achievement Award
Scott Mullin
Former Vice President, Community Relations – TD Bank
Professional Leadership Award
Robert Davis
Partner, Greater Toronto Area Transfer Pricing Leader – KPMG LLP
Jennifer Quinn
Senior Vice President, Commercial Projects – Infrastructure Ontario
Lawrence Spicer
Vice President Audit, P&CB – RBC
Leading Executive Ally Award
Dave Mowat
President & CEO – ATB Financial
Pride At Work Canada Advocate Award
Jennifer Johnson
Partner & National Leader for Risk Assurance Services – PwC
Emerging Leader Award
Michael Helander
CEO and Co-founder – OTI Lumionics