BMO MLSE Arts, Sports & Entertainment Awards

Recognizing women who have shaped Canadian thinking, communications and culture

JACQUELINE BECKFORD HENRIQUES

Head Varsity Coach Men's and Women's Swimming, UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

BIO: Jacqueline Beckford Henriques is Head Varsity Swim Coach for Men's and Women's Swimming at the University of Waterloo, and Co-founder of The Alliance – Anti Racism Group at the University. Jacqueline is the first female National Swimming Head Coach and Technical Director in Jamaica and has attended three Olympic Games. In 2019 she achieved the Ontario University Athletic Coach of the Year for Men's Swimming.

ON MOTIVATION: The young people I work with each day who challenge me to be innovative so that I can create an environment of learning for them.

MY RAW COURAGE: I AM True to Myself!!

POWER SONG: “Fight Song”, Rachel Platten.

SHREYA PATEL

Filmmaker, Actress, Mental Health Advocate, WINDOW DREAMS PRODUCTIONS

BIO: Shreya Patel is a model-turned-actress, filmmaker and mental health advocate. She's the leading actress in Layla Is Relevant, Strangers In A Room, and Vivid. Her debut documentary, ‘Girl Up', about domestic human trafficking, was partnered with TIFF and the Civic Action Summit. Her music video directorial debut, Freedom Dance, has over 12 million views on Youtube. She's one of the faces for Bell Let's Talk.

MY RAW COURAGE: I AM rare and I am accepting and basking in this mere fact that there's only one me and that's unique.

ON WHAT MAKES A LEADER: When someone uses their privilege to empower those who are voiceless and encourages and guides them to do better is a true leader.

MELISSA BUBB-CLARKE

Senior Vice President, Music and Live Events, MLSE

BIO: Melissa Bubb-clarke runs the live entertainment division at MLSE, including over 100 live events annually at venues including Scotiabank Arena, one of North America's top-grossing arenas. Melissa oversees Live Nation Canada's corporate partnerships agency, whose marketing programs have garnered awards from the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and Canadian Marketing Association. Melissa is on the board of CARAS/ The Juno Awards/musicounts, the Canadian Live Music Association and the Toronto Music Advisory Council.

MOST IMPORTANT CAREER LESSON: Over the years I have learned to trust my gut, surround myself with great people and know my numbers.

ON WHAT POWERFUL MEANS: Finding the strength to keep going in times of uncertainty and adversity. Normalizing failure as part of the process is powerful.

CHARLIE WALL-ANDREWS

MA, MBA, CCIP Executive Director, SOCAN FOUNDATION; Lecturer,

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO; Trudeau Scholar and PHD in Management Candidate,

TED ROGERS SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

BIO: Charlie Wall-andrews is an entertainment industry executive and faculty member at the University of Toronto. Her work has helped countless artists turn their passion and talent into sustainable careers. She is a PH.D. candidate at Ted Rogers School of Management, specializing in strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. She is on the Board of Directors of Workinculture, and TELUS Community Investment Board, and is the inaugural Vice-chair of Music Canada's Advisory Council.

ON MOTIVATION: Arts, sports, and entertainment enhance the quality of life and provide an excellent source of inspiration and motivation in my research, teaching, and community work.

ON WHAT POWERFUL MEANS: Following your pursuit of happiness and being exemplary to others is a form of being powerful, especially when exercising resiliency when faced with obstacles and systemic barriers.

ANGELYN FRANCIS Equity Reporter,

TORONTO STAR

BIO: Angelyn Francis is a multimedia journalist with the Toronto Star, covering equity and inequality. Angelyn has many skills to shine a light on marginalized communities — producing, photography, reporting, editing and hosting. Francis previously hosted the award-winning Huffpost's podcast "Born and Raised". As an independent digital producer through Angelyn Francis Media, she created videos for CBC Arts, Daily VICE, Atkinson Foundation, Huffpost Canada and Rainbow Railroad.

ON MOTIVATION: I have a strong desire to help others and get to know people, and in a way, I think both play a role in my day to day reporting and storytelling.

MY RAW COURAGE: I AM more than capable. It's a needed reminder every time I take on new challenges and it is always true.

POWER SONG: “Raggamuffin”, by Koffee.

I have a strong desire to help others and get to know people

~ Angelyn Francis

Following your pursuit of happiness and being exemplary to others is a form of being powerful

~ Charlie Wall-andrews