For Institutional Investors
For Investment Firms
This award recognizes a firm that has demonstrated leadership in addressing climate-related risks and opportunities within its investment strategy and operations.
Eligible firms: Institutional investors and investment firms
Criteria:
- Integration of climate strategy: Extent to which climate considerations, such as carbon exposure, transition risks, and physical risks, are embedded into investment processes, portfolio construction, and strategic asset allocation. Demonstration of AUM and number of portfolios that have integrated the climate strategy. Demonstration of industry leading practices and science-based targets/goals.
- Measurable impact and outcomes: Demonstrated progress towards climate-related targets/goals, including emissions reduction, portfolio decarbonization, or allocation to climate solutions, supported by clear metrics, reporting, and third party validation.
- Benchmark Outperformance & Market Influence: Evidence that the firm’s climate performance outperforms relevant benchmarks or peer groups. Demonstrated role in implementing market leading practices and in shaping industry practices.
- Alignment of climate strategy with investment goals, risk management practices, and fiduciary duty to stakeholders.
This award recognizes an institutional investor or an investment firm that has demonstrated excellence in identifying, assessing and mitigating risks across complex market environments.
Eligible firms: Institutional investors and investment firms
Criteria:
- Robustness and integration of risk framework: Extent to which the firm has developed and implemented a market leading risk management platform that differs from peers, identifies and assesses market risks as well as forward looking and emerging risks. Percentage of total AUM and strategies formally covered by documented risk frameworks; assessment of the organization’s risk management architecture, including how comprehensively risk is identified, measured, and embedded within the investment decision-making process.
- Demonstrated Effectiveness & Outcomes: Evidence that the firm’s risk management practices have protected capital during periods of stress, reduced portfolio volatility, and/or improved risk-adjusted returns.
- Innovation and analytical capabilities: Evaluation of the use of advanced tools, data analytics, and forward-looking methodologies such as stress testing, scenario analysis, and risk modeling.
- Adoption of risk management practices across organization, including investment teams, operations, and senior leadership, and evidence that risk management is part of decision-making and not run as a parallel process.
This award recognizes an individual or a team of professionals that have taken innovative approaches and originality to managing its investment portfolio, in achieving investment objectives in a rapidly changing market environment. Examples can include but are not limited to, introducing newer asset classes or investment ideas, using technological tools in investment processes, redesigning investment processes, etc.
Eligible firms: Institutional investors and investment management firms
Criteria:
- Originality and differentiation: Degree to which the investment approach, strategy, or solution represents a clear departure from traditional methods and peers, offering unique sources of alpha, diversification, or efficiency. Evidence that the approach can be applied consistently over time and not dependent on specific market conditions.
- Impact on investment outcomes: Demonstrated material contribution to portfolio performance, risk adjusted returns, and/or improved portfolio construction, supported by tangible results and/or case studies
- Scalability and practical implementation: how the process can be adopted more broadly within the organization to achieve greater impact without creating new or unintended risks.
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:
- Depth of engagement and partnerships: Quality and longevity of relationships with indigenous communities, including evidence of meaningful decision-making, consultation, collaboration, and co-development of initiatives or investments
- Economic inclusion, impact, and outcomes: Demonstrated contribution and evidence of sustained impact over time to indigenous communities, such as capital deployed, investment in indigenous-led businesses, creation of employment opportunities within indigenous communities, revenue sharing models and equity partnerships with indigenous communities. Evidence of shared decision making with indigenous communities, and representation of indigenous peoples in governance structures such as advisory boards and investment committees
- Alignment of reconciliation strategy with investment goals and fiduciary duty to stakeholders.
This award recognizes a female executive within an institutional investor or an investment firm, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision and impact over the past year or two. This award honours leaders who have successfully navigated complex market environments, inspired teams, and driven meaningful outcomes for their organizations and stakeholders.
Criteria:
- Strategic vision and execution: Clarity of long-term vision and the ability to convert strategies into tangible outcomes
- Organizational impact and performance: Demonstrated contribution to the organization’s growth, resilience, and investment outcomes
- Industry impact and thought leadership: Contribution to the broader investment community through thought leadership, innovation, participation in industry initiatives that shape best practices
This award recognizes a male executive within an institutional investor or an investment firm, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision and impact over the past year or two. This award honours leaders who have successfully navigated complex market environments, inspired teams, and driven meaningful outcomes for their organizations and stakeholders.
Criteria:
- Strategic vision and execution: Clarity of long-term vision and the ability to convert strategies into tangible outcomes
- Organizational impact and performance: Demonstrated contribution to the organization’s growth, resilience, and investment outcomes
- Industry impact and thought leadership: Contribution to the broader investment community through thought leadership, innovation, participation in industry initiatives that shape best practices
This award recognizes an asset owner firm that has delivered outstanding fiduciary duties to their stakeholders through achieving desired investment objectives, clear communication with their members and clients, and having an effective governance system.
Eligible firms: Institutional investors
- Investment strategy and portfolio construction: Achievement of investment results corresponding to investment 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 individual who, during her/his career path, has made a profound and lasting impact on the institutional investment community. 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:
- Career impact and contributions: Significant, measurable contributions to the investment industry, including leadership in portfolio management, organizational growth, innovation, and/or thought leadership over a sustained period of time
- Mentorship and talent development: Commitment to cultivating talent, mentoring emerging leaders, and fostering a culture of excellence within the industry
- Influence on the industry: Practices that the individual has brought to her / his organization and industry that have lasting impacts.
This award recognizes one or a team of portfolio manager(s) who have demonstrated outstanding results in managing private market portfolio(s) of investments on behalf of their organization, including private equity, infrastructure, private credit, real estate, farmland/timberland, etc.
Eligible firms: Institutional Investors and Investment firms
Criteria:
- Investment performance and value creation: Demonstrated track record of delivering strong, risk-adjusted returns, that outperform relevant benchmarks or peer groups
- Deal sourcing and execution capability: Demonstrated ability to originate high-quality opportunities, conduct rigorous due diligence, and structure transactions effectivelyPortfolio construction and risk management: Effectiveness in managing concentration, liquidity, vintage risk and navigating market cycles with discipline
This award recognizes one or a team of portfolio manager(s) who have demonstrated outstanding results in managing public market portfolio(s) of investments on behalf of their organization.
Eligible firms: Institutional investors and Investment firms
Criteria:
- Investment performance and alpha generation: Demonstrated track record of delivering consistent, risk-adjusted returns relative to benchmarks, with clear evidence of alpha generation across market cycles
- Investment process and research discipline: Rigor and repeatability of the investment process, including depth of fundamental or quantitative research, portfolio construction methodology
- Risk management: effectiveness in managing market, sector and factor exposures, with disciplined approaches to diversification, liquidity and downside protection
This award recognizes an investment management firm that has delivered excellence in delivering investment results, client service, and overall organizational performance, through complex market environments.
Eligible firms: Investment firms
Criteria:
- Investment performance and track record: Demonstrated ability to deliver consistent, risk-adjusted returns across multiple strategies or client portfolios, with a clear process for monitoring and improving outcomes
- Client service and relationship management: Client engagement, transparency and responsiveness, including tailored solutions, reporting and advisory capabilities
- Innovation: Evidence of innovative investment approaches, new product development, or the application of technology and data analytics to enhance performance and decision-making
- Governance and risk management: Robustness of governance structures, operational resilience, and risk oversight
This award recognizes a service provider firm that has demonstrated excellence in supporting institutional investors through high-quality services, innovative solutions, and exceptional client engagement, throughout market cycles. The award recognizes those service providers that are true long term trusted partners for their clients.
Eligible firms: Service providers that are either Canadian or have a Canadian presence that offer technology, data, etc., solutions for institutional clients.
Criteria:
- Innovation and value-added solutions: Scope of technology, products, or solutions provided to institutional clients that are aligned with client objectives
- Client service and relationship management: Client engagement, transparency and responsiveness, including tailored solutions, problem solving, reporting and advisory capabilities
- Measurable impact and outcomes: Evidence that the provider has contributed to improved client decision-making, enhanced investment performance or efficiency, and/or reduced risk or operational burden.
- Industry Positioning: Evidence that the firm’s business model and services are higher ranked versus industry or peer groups
- Governance and operational excellence: Robust internal processes, risk management, and adherence to compliance and industry standards
The Rising Star Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated exceptional talent, initiative, and impact within the institutional investor or investment management industry. This award honours individuals early in their careers who show outstanding potential, strong leadership qualities, and the ability to influence investment outcomes, organizational performance, or industry practices.
Criteria
- Professional Impact and Achievement: Demonstrated tangible contributions to investment performance, operations, or strategic initiatives within their organizationInnovation and Initiative: Evidence of creative problem-solving, proactive leadership, and/or the introduction of new approaches that enhance processes, portfolios, or client solutions. This may also include evidence of the ability to demonstrate sound investment thinking, strong ethics, and/or the ability to assess risk and uncertainty
- Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to inspire, work effectively within teams, and contribute to a positive organizational culture despite being early in their career
The Rising Star Award recognizes a young professional who has demonstrated exceptional talent, initiative, and impact within the institutional investor or investment management industry. This award honours individuals early in their careers who show outstanding potential, strong leadership qualities, and the ability to influence investment outcomes, organizational performance, or industry practices.
Criteria
- Professional Impact and Achievement: Demonstrated tangible contributions to investment performance, operations, or strategic initiatives within their organization
- Innovation and Initiative: Evidence of creative problem-solving, proactive leadership, or the introduction of new approaches that enhance processes, portfolios, or client solutions. This may also include evidence of the ability to demonstrate sound investment thinking, strong ethics, and/or the ability to assess risk and uncertainty
- Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to inspire, work effectively within teams, and contribute to a positive organizational culture despite being early in their career