Women’s College Hospital Foundation (WCHF) is proud to share that Jennifer Bernard, President and CEO, WCHF has been recognized among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award winners as the 2020 recipient of the Inclusion Vanguard Award, presented by Accenture.

The Inclusion Vanguard Award recognizes a leader who has made a profound, thoughtful and measurable impact on diversity, who champions others and who betters the experience in the community around them.

Through her passionate commitment to advancing equity, inclusion and diversity, Jennifer embodies all that the Inclusion Vanguard Award celebrates.  

“I have always been drawn to opportunities where I can create meaningful change and progress towards inclusion for everyone,” says Jennifer. “Unfortunately, we know that many people are still left out – of representation in leadership, of equal opportunities, access to healthcare, and more. That is why I am so passionate about advancing equity. It recognizes the systemic issues that disadvantage people and acknowledges the need for those issues to be corrected in order for us to achieve a just society for all.”

As the first Black CEO of a hospital foundation in Canada, Jennifer is leading by example. “Representation matters,” she says. “I want other young women and women of colour to see themselves in leadership positions, and to understand that their highest ambitions and loftiest goals are within their reach. Being honoured with this prestigious award is yet another proof point of that.”

The Inclusion Vanguard Award is one of 13 Top 100 categories that honour remarkable women across Canada who advocate for workforce diversity and inspire tomorrow’s leaders.

The Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the winners selected by WXN’s Diversity Council of Canada.

For a full list of winners, please visit https://wxnetwork.com/page/2020Top100Winners/