Association of Women in Finance

Who are we?

• By involving, connecting and developing women in the business community through events like our Economic Update, Real Estate Forum, Fireside Chats and Holiday Party. 
• By recognizing, through the annual AWF PEAK Awards, women who have broken down barriers in the finance industry and achieved excellence. 
• By encouraging young women to enter the finance field through our scholarship program.

Why do we do it?

Women have proven themselves to be successful and dynamic business and finance leaders.  But, we are a long way from equal representation.  

According to a recent report focused on Financial Post 500 public companies: 

• The percentage of women holding senior officer positions increased less than one percentage point over two years, from 16.9 percent in 2008 to 17.7 percent in 2010. 
• Women senior officers held 6.2 percent of top earner positions—up less than one percentage point from 5.6 percent in 2008. 
• In both 2008 and 2010, more than 30 percent of companies had zero women senior officers.[1]

Attend an AWF Event: 

• Fireside Chat Series(October, January, February and April) – Exclusive to AWF members, each Fireside Chat is an intimate event (maximum 20 attendees) where members hear the stories and advice of, and interact with, a top finance professional.
• Recent speakers include Anne Giardini, Q.C., President, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, Graham McIsaac, CFO, HSBC Bank Canada and Deb Hewson, President and CEO, Odlum Brown Limited.
• Annual Economic Luncheon Event(November) – An expert panel discusses the economic outlook from a global, national and regional perspective and the impact it will have on BC businesses, families and investors.
• Recent speakers include Lori Rennison, Assistant Chief, Bank of Canada, Marlyn Chisholm, Economist and Principal of Chisholm Consulting, Jock Finlayson, Executive VP, Business Council of B.C., Jim Allworth, Investment Strategist and Co-Chair, RBC Dominion Securities' Global Portfolio Advisory Committee, Colin Hansen, Former B.C. Finance Minister and Helmut Pastrick, Chief Economist, Central Credit Union 1.
• Annual Real Estate Luncheon Event(June) – A provocative panel discussion on the state of Vancouver’s real estate market and the reality behind the headlines. 
• Recent speakers include Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, B.C. Real Estate Association, Jennifer Podmore-Russell, Senior Manager – Financial Advisory, Deloitte & Touche and Andrea Eng.
• Annual AWF PEAK Awards - An annual awards gala attended by over 400 women and men that recognizes accomplished women in the field of finance.  Five women are honoured during a wine reception and gourmet dinner.  A fabulous silent auction and raffle raises funds for the AWF Scholarship Program.

 Sponsor an AWF Event:

• Be an AWF Event speaker;
• Host a Fireside Chat Series;
• Partner with the AWF in presenting our Annual Economic or Real Estate Luncheon;
• Partner with the AWF in presenting our Annual PEAK Awards, as a corporate sponsor or silent auction or raffle prize donor.

Nominate a woman for an AWF PEAK Award:

• Lifetime Achievement;
• Excellence in the Private Sector;
• Excellence in the Public Sector;
• Community Legacy;
• Rising Star.