#FIRSTLOOK: VEUVE CLICQUOT BOLD WOMAN AWARDS 2026

The Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards unveils its six finalists in the Bold Woman and Bold Future Award categories; recognizing the achievements and contributions of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Business owners across industry sectors including the environment, real estate, wellness, beauty and retail trade lead the list of finalists in the 10th edition of this prestigious awards program. Category winners will be announced at the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards ceremony taking place on April 21, 2026, in Toronto.

The platform is the longest-running international awards program of its kind, rooted in Madame Clicquot’s relentless spirit and business acumen. Since its inception, more than 470 audacious businesswomen across 27 countries have been part of the awards in both categories: Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Award. The Bold Woman Award recognizes businesswomen with mature businesses established more than five years ago, whilst the Bold Future Award celebrates women entrepreneurs whose businesses have been established within the past five years.

This year marks a record-breaking milestone in Canada, with 358 applications received from across the country.

“This program was created as an homage to Madame Clicquot, one of the first women to establish herself as a leading figure in the business world,” says Thomas Mulliez, president and CEO of Maison Veuve Clicquot. “Created in 1972, the Bold Woman Awards continues more than 50 years later to highlight and amplify the accomplishments of the next generation of remarkable entrepreneurs.”

The three finalists in the Bold Woman and Bold Future Award categories were selected through a rigorous review and evaluation process led by marketing and consulting firm T1 Agency to ensure fair assessment, diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the deliberation process. An esteemed panel of Canadian business leaders was convened to identifythe top finalists, with submissions evaluated against three key pillars: entrepreneurial daring, the ability to reinvent tradition, and a commitment to ethical business practices.

The Bold Woman and Bold Future Award finalists are as follows:

Bold Woman Award Finalists:

Orlane Panet: Co-founder and CEO of Microhabitat

Sherry Larjani: Co-founder and president of Spotlight Development Inc.

Tanya Hayles: Co-founder and president of Black Moms Connection

Bold Future Award Finalists:

Cindy Millien: Founder and director of Millie Cosmétiques

Prishita Agarwal: Co-founder and CEO of Mosa

Venesse Lewis: Founder and president of Niya’s Coily World

The two awards of distinction are open to all self-identifying women entrepreneurs based in Canada, aged 25 and above, who meet specific eligibility criteria and have directly contributed to the success of their business.

Each laureate will receive a handcrafted award in addition to a three-day immersive experience at Maison Veuve Clicquot in Reims, France. They will have the opportunity to delve into the history of the iconic Champagne House and connect with other Bold winners from around the world.

The 2026 Bold Woman Award and Bold Future judging panel includes:

Abdullah Snobar: Executive director of DMZ and CEO of DMZ Ventures

Geetu Pathak: CEO of Milo-Fais and vice chair for Ekagrata Group

Isabèle Chevalier: Founder of Bio-K+ and co-founder of Roses de Montréal

Jennifer Flanagan: Co-founder and CEO of Actua

Shelby Austin: Founder and CEO of Arteria AI

The Bold Award program’s purpose is to honour entrepreneurial women who are driving innovation and making significant, meaningful impact within their industries and community. It is an initiative created to inspire, empower and motivate the next generation of business leaders to dream bigger, drive change and make a difference.

To learn more about the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards, please visit: https://www.veuveclicquot.com/en-ca/boldlp.html

About Maison Veuve Clicquot

Founded in Reims in 1772, Veuve Clicquot still remains true to its motto: “Only one quality, the finest”. In 1805, Madame Clicquot took over the reins of the House and became one of the first businesswomen of modern times. Driven by her unfailing optimism, she was soon named ‘la Grande Dame of Champagne’. Her free spirit, her boldness and her culture of innovation have continued to inspire the House, the footprint of which still radiates throughout the world. Despite hardships, she looked to the future with confidence and won the almost impossible bet for a woman of her time, by revolutionizing the champagne industry. “If in the search of perfection, we must take two steps at a time, I do believe that we should not be content in only taking one.” – Madame Clicquot. The colour yellow – included on its labels since 1877, is also that of the rising sun. An ode to joy and optimism, expressing one of the House’s convictions that each new day offers the promise of new possibilities to build a brighter future.

About Veuve Clicquot Bold Awards 2026 Partners in Canada

Costigan Studio is a Toronto-based personal branding studio that helps ambitious leaders and organizations align image with impact. Through strategic styling, leadership presence development, masterclasses, and immersive experiences, the studio translates leadership style, confidence, and expertise into powerful personal brands that drive business outcomes. For more information, please visit: https://costiganstudio.com/ | @costigan.studio

Veuve Clicquot presented the Bold Woman Awards Portrait & Media Day in partnership with Costigan Studio, an immersive personal branding experience featuring creative direction and programming by Costigan, with contributions from Erin Leydon, Laura McMillan, Shark Beauty, Smythe, Veronica Beard, Tory Burch, Iris Setlakwe, Fitzroy, Jenny Bird, Bulova, Carole Tanenbaum and Dean Davidson.