One of the largest queer organizations in Canada – the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) announces the winners for their 2025 Business Leadership Awards recently given out at CQCC’s SOLD OUT 10th Annual Black & White Gala on November 14, 2025 at The Carlu in Toronto. Most of the winners (4 out of 6) came from BC including one of the most awarded small businesses in Vancouver this year, Awl Together Leather.
CQCC members, entrepreneurs and esteemed business leaders from across the country gathered to recognize the achievements of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ business community during an evening of stellar entertainment, awards, networking, and celebration. The CQCC Business Leadership Awards celebrate trailblazers driving inclusion, innovation, and growth in Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ business community, honouring those shaping a stronger, more equitable economy for all. The CQCC is the only national not-for-profit organization certifying Canadian-owned 2SLGBTQI+ businesses and connecting them with opportunities, community, and corporate allies.
The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) recently announced its rebrand from Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), marking a pivotal moment in its two-decade mission to represent and support the full diversity of Canada’s queer business community. “We’re rebranding to better reflect the diversity of the queer business community we serve and to connect more meaningfully with 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs who haven’t always seen themselves represented in traditional chambers of commerce,” said Darrell Schuurman, Chief Executive Officer of CQCC.
Language matters. The term “Queer” embraces the full spectrum of identities, industries, and experiences CQCC represents. This rebrand expands the tent—welcoming everyone from side-hustlers and consultants to established business owners. CQCC is here to ensure every queer entrepreneur sees a place for themselves in our programming and within Canada’s broader queer business ecosystem.
List of Winners
2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year 2025
Presented by EY
Awl Together Leather, Vancouver BC https://awltogetherleather.ca/
Awl Together Leather is a custom leatherwork and shoe repair studio located in East Vancouver, BC, co-owned by Ariss Grutter and Tess Gobeil. We opened our doors during the COVID-19 pandemic on May 4th, 2021, after deciding that we could work to change the homogenous demographics of our industry while providing accessible repairs to communities near and far! Our expanded services include heavy-weight garments alterations and repair, bespoke production, business-to-business manufacturing, and all the odd-jobs other repairers won’t help you with.
Ariss and Tess first met while working together at a local boot manufacturer and formed strong solidarity as underrepresented leatherworkers – both sick of sexism and unstable work environments. Together, we have over 10 years of leatherwork experience. We have named our company to reflect our collective values ‘All Together’ and a commonly used leather tool – an Awl. We have set out to train the next generation of diverse leatherworkers.
We launched with a Kickstarter campaign that raised our initial goal of 10k and over 22k in total. To date, we’ve helped over 10,000 customers keep 50,000 plus items out of a landfill. We were named to BC Business’ 2022 30U30 List, were a finalist for the Canada Post Tales of Triumph ‘Rising Star’s’ 2023 Competition. This is our third award in three months – we were just named the inaugural recipient of the Christine Bergeron Award for Sustainability, presented by Vancity and WeBC and we won the 2025 Untapped Workplace Inclusion Award for Social Enterprises and were also a finalist for the Untapped Workplace Inclusion Small Business BC Category.
Business Leader of the year 2025
Presented by Scotiabank
Mandy Farmer, Victoria BC
Accent Inns is a boastfully BC-based company that has been proudly owned and operated by the Farmer family since 1986. Mandy Farmer took over the role of president and CEO of Accent Inns from her father, Terry Farmer, in 2008. Mandy brings a focus on innovating Accent Inns for both the fun and function of it. From the humour that is sprinkled through everything we do, to being the most bike-friendly and pet-friendly hotel chain in Canada, what Mandy does is ensure we are different…in a good way.But if you ask Mandy what really makes us different, she’ll tell you it’s our amazing staff—most of whom have been here for over 10 years. The first thing you need to know about Mandy is that she LEADS WITH LOVE. Accent Inns Inc has eight hotels across two brands, Accent Inns and Hotel Zed. Plus, her latest venture, her new restaurant in Tofino BC, ROAR. Mandy was named RBC Women of Influence Entrepreneur of the Year in the Excellence category in 2020, won the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Business of the Yearaward in 2018 and she was named Hotelier of the Year by Hotelier Magazine in 2017. But the accolades that matter most to her center around her people. Since 2021, Accent Inns Inc. Has consistently been named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™. Her Employee Net Promoter Score is double the industry average and her Spring 2025 survey had a 93% response rate with 96% saying they are happy to work there.
2SLGBTQI+ Community Impact of the Year 2025
Presented by Bird Construction
Qmunity, Vancouver, BC https://www.qmunity.ca/about
With a focus on education and capacity-building, Michael has dedicated his career to serving marginalized communities within the charitable sector. His past work spans a range of critical issues, including child protection, rare diseases, and reconciliation. Through learning and awareness, Michael seeks to empower individuals to become allies, advocates, and agents of change. He believes that when we educate ourselves and others, we not only promote tolerance but also create a foundation for building a more accepting and inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
Corporation of the Year 2025
Presented by Manulife
Telus, Vancouver BC
Young 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneur of the Year 2025
Presented by RBC
- Elsie Morden, Toronto, ON https://www.ntft.ca/about-us
- NTFT was founded by performing artist and speaker Elsie Morden after surviving years of traumatic bullying. Through story and song, Elsie has delivered 700 keynotes across Canada speaking about bullying prevention, mental health awareness, neurodiversity awareness, 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility, and empowerment.In recognition of her profound impact across the country, Elsie has been featured on national news outlets and has received prestigious awards including the National Change Makers Award from Alan Doyle’s Dollar A Day Foundation, Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Award, and the CAMH 150 Leading Canadians for Mental Health Difference Makers Award. As a recording artist she has over 750,000 streams on Spotify and a top 100 song on Canadian country radio.
Rainbow Registered Prism Award 2025 [NEW!]
Presented by Luceo Legal
- Museum of Natural History – Nova Scotia
Prior winners of their Leadership Awards may be found at Business Leadership Wall of Fame.
A brief outline of each Award’s criteria may be found on the Awards page.
This year, Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) marked a decade of their Annual Black & White Gala and Queer Business Awards. The evening’s entertainment included a star-studded lineup of performers including JUNO-nominated Pop singer-songwriter, producer, & performer, Tafari Anthony; community-building through the power of dance, Naach For Fun; internationally performing drag king serving Latine wine and non-binary bread, Gay Jesus.
About CQCC:
The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s leading advocate for queer-owned businesses and 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. Through networking, education, and advocacy, CQCC works to ensure queer businesses thrive and can continue contributing to a stronger, more inclusive Canadian economy. The CQCC works to enable the 2SLGBTQI+ business community to grow by providing advocacy, education, capacity building, and networking opportunities. It also works directly with allied businesses to support them in diversifying their suppliers.
Established in 2003 by co-founders Darrell Schuurman and R. Bruce McDonald.
In 2023, the federal government selected the CQCC to administer the historic, world’s first $25 million 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program.
Canada is home to over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses.
These businesses generate over $22 billion in economic activity.
These businesses employ over 435,000 Canadians.
