About Us

Who Are We?

The Association of Women in Finance (the "AWF") is a nonprofit organization led by a group of finance professionals dedicated to supporting the advancement of women in finance.  AWF was Founded by Steph Sharp, Co-founder and CEO of 3DQue Systems Inc. and Sherry Tryssenaar, recently retired CFO of Rocky Mountaineer in 1994.  

We are executives, bankers, lawyers, accountants, investment professionals, actuaries, venture capitalists, insurers and entrepreneurs. We work in both private and public practice across a wide range of industries.

What Do We Do?

Quite simply, we exist to encourage women finance professionals to claim their seats at the boardroom table.

How Do We Do It?

Since 1994, we have been honouring successes, supporting advancement and exchanging knowledge by:

• Recognizing women in finance who have achieved excellence through our PEAK Awards;
• Encouraging women to enter the finance field through our scholarship program; and
• Involving, connecting and developing women in the business community through events such as our Economic Update, Real Estate forum and Fireside Chats.

Why Do We Do It?

Women remain under-represented in top leadership positions and on corporate boards.

The 2011 biennial Catalyst Census: Financial Post 500 Women Board Directors details women's representation on corporate boards at the largest companies in Canada.

• In 2011, the percentage of women directors at public companies was 10.3 percent (the same as in 2009).
• In 2011, women held just 3.6 percent of board chair positions at public companies, an increase of less than a half of a percent since 2009.
• In 2011, approximately 40 percent of companies still had no women board directors.