For Institutional Investors
For Investment Firms
This award recognizes a firm that has demonstrated outstanding and authentic leadership in their diversity, equity and inclusion practices, within the organization and / or in their engagements with external partners. Emphasis will be placed on actions from the firm that are aligned commitments to DEI.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors and Investment Firms
Criteria:
- Clear identification and communication of DEI objectives and description of targeted outcomes within the organization’s human capital management, investment ownership practices and / or inclusion as a key lens in the allocation of capital;
- Actionable strategies set by management and integrated into the responsibilities of the relevant teams;
- Demonstrated examples of engaging internal colleagues and / or external partners aligned with DEI objectives.
This award recognizes an individual or a team of professionals that have taken innovative approaches to managing its investment portfolio, in achieving investment objectives. Examples can include but are not limited to, introducing newer asset classes or investment ideas, using technological tools in investment processes, redesign investment processes, etc.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors
Criteria:
- How the individual or team approaches existing challenges and innovates to meet fiduciary objectives;
- Level of success in the investment innovation;
- How the process can be replicated across portfolios to achieve greater impact.
This award recognizes an institutional investor firm that has delivered outstanding fiduciary duties to their clients through achieving desired investment objectives, clear communication with their members and clients, and having an effective governance system.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors
- Achievement of investment results corresponding to objectives and risk tolerance set by investment policies;
- Effective governance system in vetting and supporting investment decisions;
- Regular and effective communications with members and / or clients, on investment approach and results.
This award recognizes an investment management firm that has delivered outstanding results to their institutional clients, and consistently helped its clients through complex market environments.
Eligible firms: Investment Firms that are Canadian, or have presence/clients in Canada
Criteria:
- Source of innovation to achieve results given the market conditions
- How the firm demonstrated its commitments towards the best outcome for its clients
- How the solution / approach achieved its desired objectives
This award recognizes an individual who, during her/his career path, has demonstrated consistent leadership and resiliency in various challenging environments. This individual has been able to contribute to successful outcomes across a variety of lenses – team leadership, the investment organization and / or the future direction of the industry.
Criteria:
- Identifiable examples for leadership and resilience, noting the individual’s responsibilities and outcomes / impact delivered under changing investment environment;
- How the individual motivates and leads her / his team to attain outstanding results;
- Practices that the individual has brought to her / his organization and industry that have lasting impacts.
This award recognizes a male executive within an institutional investor or an investment firm, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership of the organization and / or the team, in achieving organizational goals.
Criteria:
- The individual is at a leadership position within the organization;
- Commitment to leading, motivating and inspiring teams to achieve visions and goals;
- Measurable achievements as a result of the leader’s vision and leadership
This award recognizes a female executive within an institutional investor or an investment firm, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership of the organization and / or the team, in achieving organizational goals.
Criteria:
- The individual is at a leadership position within the organization;
- Commitment to leading, motivating and inspiring teams to achieve visions and goals;
- Measurable achievements as a result of the leader’s vision and leadership
This award recognizes one or a team of portfolio manager(s) who have demonstrated outstanding results in managing a private market portfolio of investments on behalf of their organization.
Eligible firms: Investment Firms that are Canadian, or have presence/clients in Canada
Criteria:
- How well the portfolio outperformed its benchmark;
- How the portfolio Manager(s) identify and manage the risks associated with the portfolio;
- How the process of managing portfolios and risks are repeatable and sustainable
This award recognizes one or a team of portfolio manager(s) who have demonstrated outstanding results in managing a public market portfolio of investments on behalf of their organization.
Eligible firms: Investment Firms that are Canadian, or have presence/clients in Canada
Criteria:
- How well the portfolio outperformed its benchmark;
- How the portfolio Manager(s) identify and manage the risks associated with the portfolio;
- How the process of managing portfolios and risks are repeatable and sustainable
This award recognizes an institutional investor or an investment firm that has taken structured approach to assess, manage and mitigate investment risks within the organization.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors and Investment Firms
Criteria:
- Clear identification for scope of risks to be managed;
- Governance structure and processes to follow, in assessing and managing risks within investments;
- Adoption of risk management practices across organization
This award recognizes an institutional investor or an investment firm that has demonstrated leadership towards investments aligned with advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Emphasis will be placed on measurable actions from the organization aligned with goals related to indigenous reconciliation.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors and Investment Firms
Criteria:
- Clear identification and public communication of objectives to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and description of targeted outcomes;
- Processes that have been developed to achieve set objectives and progress made to date;
- Alignment of a reconciliation strategy with investment goals and fiduciary duty to stakeholders.
This award recognizes a firm that has demonstrated leadership in addressing system-level risks and opportunities through its investment strategy, governance, and operations. The firm has made measurable progress in aligning its total portfolio and organizational practices with long-term system-level outcomes across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors and Investment Firms
Criteria:
- Clear articulation of system-level goals (e.g., climate stability, economic resilience, social equity) and intended portfolio-wide outcomes
- Implementation of actionable, forward-looking strategies embedded in governance, investment decision-making, and organizational culture
- Adoption of a total portfolio approach that considers systemic impact across all asset classes and investment types
- Alignment of investment beliefs and practices with fiduciary responsibility and long-term value creation for beneficiaries and stakeholders
This award recognizes a service provider firm that has delivered measurable results aligned with institutional client needs, and that has demonstrated innovation and consistency throughout market cycles.
Eligible firms: Service providers that are either Canadian or have Canadian presence that offer technology, data, etc., solutions for institutional clients.
Criteria:
- Scope of solutions provided to institutional clients that are aligned with client objectives
- Innovative approach towards customized and scalable solutions
- Measurable results achieved from clients with implemented solutions