TLDR:
- The Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) announced the winners of its second annual Canadian Women in Private Capital Awards.
- Four women were recognized for their contributions to the private capital industry, with awards given in both venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) categories.
The CVCA recognized the achievements of women in the Canadian private capital industry at its second annual Canadian Women in Private Capital Awards event. The awards, introduced in 2023, aim to celebrate women who have made significant contributions to Canada’s private capital industry. This year, the awards were given to four women, with two awards presented in both the VC and PE categories.
Sophie Forest, managing partner at Brightspark Ventures, received the Woman of Achievement award for VC, while Tracey McVicar, partner at CAI Capital Partners, received the award for PE. Sophie Gupta from Yaletown Partners was recognized as the Rising Woman Star in VC, and Cathy Xue from Instar Asset Management was awarded in the PE category. The winners shared their perspectives on the progress made toward equity in the VC and PE industries during the event.
While progress has been made in enhancing diversity within Canada’s private capital industry, women and other underrepresented groups still face obstacles in starting and advancing their careers. Forest highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance for team members, while Gupta emphasized the need for diverse backgrounds and experiences to shape the future of the VC and PE industries.
