The Brampton Board of Trade has created a truly special event called InspiHER to celebrate International Women's Day.  This day and event is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  InspiHER also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.  In Brampton, we celebrate International Women's Day by coming together to be inspired and encouraged while hearing the stories of female leaders in our community. 

Naseem Somani Memorial Award for Leadership Excellence

In 2019, we lost an important member of our business community. A giant in corporate Canada. Naseem Somani, former CEO of Dynacare was an outstanding business leader who was known for both her competitive and collaborative spirit. In growing her business, she demonstrated that working with other businesses, we can grow our community, our province, our nation and beyond.

In recognition of her outstanding leadership, The Brampton Board of Trade has established a special excellence award in Naseem Somani’s honour: The Naseem Somani Memorial Award for Leadership Excellence .

The award recognizes Naseem’s profound impact on the lives of many, particularly women business leaders.

The Naseem Somani Memorial Award for Leadership Excellence is designed to recognize, inspire, develop and encourage women’s personal and professional leadership. It is exactly these traits, among many other virtues, that Naseem Somani was known for and for which she has left a lasting legacy. Beginning in 2020, the award will be presented to a deserving woman that demonstrates leadership, innovation, service and overall contribution to women.

The Brampton Board of Trade is pleased to announce Ms. Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 & 8, City of Brampton, as the 2021 recipient of the Naseem Somani Memorial Leadership Excellence Award.

Ms. Williams' selection as the 2021 recipient is a well-deserved honour. It is in recognition of her leadership, and overall contribution to women in our community. The selection committee looked highly upon her independent-thinking and strong moral compass in decision-making. Her work in bringing awareness to key safety issues in the city to improve the lives of residents is also being acknowledged through this award. Strongly-held beliefs and courage in the advocacy for vulnerable persons and children within the community also added to the committee’s selection. As a community leader, mother, advocate and champion, she is setting an example for women to follow in her footsteps.