WXN Opens Search for Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 on International Women's Day

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - March 08, 2016) -  On International Women's Day, March 8^th, the Women's Executive Network (WXN) officially launches their search for Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100. Applications are now open to the public.

Launched in 2003, the Top 100 Awards celebrate the incredible accomplishments of women in leadership roles, as well as their organizations and networks. The Awards serve to recognize leaders and inspire the current and next generations to push the boundaries of what's possible.

"Every day is International Women's Day at WXN because we focus on supporting and celebrating the limitless potential of women in Canada, Ireland and the UK as we continue to expand our global footprint," said Pamela Jeffery, Founder of WXN. "Today in particular, we want to give companies across Canada the opportunity to recognize leaders in their networks who continue to drive positive change, innovation and progress. This is what the Awards are all about."

In addition to launching the nominations for the Top 100 Awards, WXN is also waiving their one-time administrative fee to join from now until March 31, to encourage more women and men to be part of the community and to provide exclusive offerings available through the network. Interested individuals can use the promotion code IWDWXN to redeem. There are no annual membership fees for WXN members.

"We're welcoming more women and men to be part of the conversation around strengthening gender diversity and equity in the workplace, which comes with immense benefits economically and socially," said Sherri Stevens, CEO of WXN. In fact, the rest of the world is now catching up with WXN, since men have been welcomed as members since WXN's launch in 1997. "International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity for this, when the world spotlights women -- how far we've come and where we need to go. We need both genders at the table to keep this momentum going."

Co-Presented by Scotiabank and KPMG, the Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with recipients selected by an independent advisory board. To date, 871 powerful women have been given this prestigious award. It's projected that by 2017, WXN will have recognized over 1,000 female leaders from across Canada. The list of Award Winners is revealed annually the day prior to the Leadership Summit and Awards Gala, which will take place Thursday, November 24, 2016.

Award Winners include Margaret Atwood, best-selling author; Dr. Roberta Bondar, astronaut; Arlene Dickinson, chief executive officer, Venture Communications; Christine Magee, president, Sleep Country Canada; Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada; Heather Reisman, founder and chief executive officer, Indigo Books & Music; and, Kathleen Taylor, chair of the board, Royal Bank of Canada.

About the Women's Executive Network (WXN)
At WXN, we inspire smart women to lead. WXN creates and delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to inform, inspire, connect and recognize our community of more than 22,000 smart women, their male counterparts and organizations. WXN enables our partners and corporate members to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.

Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada's leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. As of January 2016, WXN operates within SRGxi, an award-winning Workforce Management Company pioneered in 1990 by Sherri Stevens. As a founding member of the Canadian Board Diversity Council, WXN is also dedicated to increasing the diversity of Canada's corporate boards. In 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, followed by London, UK in 2015, creating an international community of female leaders.