Edmonton, AB – Yesterday evening Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) announced the recipients of the 2018 Celebration of Achievement and Entrepreneur Awards at a reception in Edmonton. The annual AWE Awards recognize women who have made a significant contribution to the business community in Alberta.
Since it began in 2012, the program has expanded to honour one Celebration of Achievement recipient as well as female business leaders in three other categories: Emerging Entrepreneur, Emerging Innovator and Upsurge Entrepreneur. AWE is pleased to announce the recipients of the
2018 Awards:
Celebration of Achievement Award Recipient: Eveline Charles, CEO, Eveline Charles Hair Salons and Day Spas
This award pays tribute to an exceptional woman entrepreneur who has built a business in Alberta with a significant impact on the economy and the community. This entrepreneur is an inspirational leader and a role model for women in business.
With six successful salons and spas across Alberta and almost 200 employees, Eveline Charles has dominated the beauty industry for over 40 years. Eveline's determination to become the market leader led to the expansion of her business in 2005 to include the EvelineCharles Academy - a state-of- the-art facility where future beauty industry leaders could harness and perfect their trade. The next venture for Eveline was expanding into custom product manufacturing with EC Labs. Founded in 2016, EC Labs is Canada’s newest beauty, health, and wellness product manufacturer. In addition, EvelineCharles Salons | Spas | Beauty MD has now begun franchising locations as a future expansion strategy.
AWE Upsurge Award Recipient: Amanda Hamilton, Founder and Creative Director, Amanda Hamilton Design
This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has a strong vision and passion for growth. The recipient has built a solid foundation for her business, has experienced growth, and has significant expansion opportunities.
Celebrated for her tenacious and vibrant persona, Amanda Hamilton’s bold and unconventional approach to design and business has made her one of the most sought after interior designers in Western Canada. With over a decade of experience, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design has earned a diverse and extensive portfolio including custom residential homes, multi-family developments, restaurant, office and retail design.
AWE Emerging Award Recipient: Sylvia Cheverie, Owner, Chartier
This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has built a strong, scalable business foundation, has achieved early success and market traction.
As an homage to her culture, Sylvia wanted to introduce French cuisine to her hometown of Beaumont, Alberta. She completed a Kickstarter campaign in order to raise a portion of the capital required to open the French-Canadian restaurant named “Chartier,” which to-date is the most successful restaurant kickstarter in Canada. She acts as a mentor and advocate for other entrepreneurs and local businesses in the area.
AWE Emerging Innovator Award Recipient: Dr. Gina Cherkowski, Founder and CEO, STEM Learning Lab
This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has built an innovation-based business and who has achieved early success with strong market potential.
Dr. Gina Cherkowski is an educational game changer on a mission to ensure all students have access to high quality STEM learning experiences, so they are aptly prepared for our technology-rich world. Dr. Cherkowski believes that all kids can and should be proficient in math as well as the other STEM fields and fights to make this a reality through her work at STEM Learning Lab and Million Women Mentors.
Quote from Alberta Women Entrepreneurs:
“We believe outstanding women deserve to be celebrated. The recipients of this year’s awards have made impactful contributions to their communities and Alberta's economy, and we are proud to recognize them as business role models and inspiring members of our community.”
- Marcela Mandeville, CEO, Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Quote from Presenting Sponsor, ATB Business:
“Congratulations to all of the incredible entrepreneurs who were named recipients of the AWE Celebration of Achievement and Entrepreneur Awards this year. Small and medium sized businesses are essential to driving our economy forward and the diversity of this year’s finalists showcases what a world class entrepreneurial centre Alberta has become. This year’s winners are each helping to grow our province in their own unique way and ATB is proud to support them and other female entrepreneurs in partnership with AWE.”
- Teresa Clouston, Executive Vice President, ATB Business & Agriculture
