WGCC VANGUARD AWARD

Sponsored by ZSA

Honouring Trailblazing Women General Counsel in Canada

WGCC Vanguard Award sponsored by ZSA trophies at the 2025 CGCA gala
WGCC Vanguard Award Recipients sponsored by ZSA

About the WGCC Vanguard Award sponsored by ZSA

The WGCC Vanguard Award celebrates trailblazing women whose leadership, vision, integrity, and impact have helped shape the General Counsel profession across Canada.

These outstanding honourees embody the values that define the Women General Counsel Canada (WGCC) community—excellence, empowerment, and dedication to advancing in‑house legal leadership.

Since its incorporation in 2016, WGCC has been guided by exceptional Founding Directors and Presidents who continue to inspire progress for women in law.

Each year, the Vanguard Award is presented to a WGCC member who makes significant contributions to the in‑house counsel profession and to their peers. The recipient is also inducted into the WGCC Hall of Distinction.

The 2026 Vanguard Award Recipient will be announced at the CGCA Gala, on May 28 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

Inaugural 2025 Award Recipients

julia shin doi

The Honourable Justice
Julia S. Shin Doi

Judge
Ontario Superior Court of Justice

bindu cudjoe

Bindu Cudjoe

Principal and
Strategic Advisor
Bindustries Consulting Inc

cheryl foy

Cheryl A. Foy

President
Strategic Governance Consulting Services Ltd

elspeth hagan

Elspeth Hagan

Senior Counsel
TD Bank

Financial Group

alexa abiscott

Alexa Abiscott

Chief Legal Officer
& Secretary
ApplyBoard

lara speirs

Lara Speirs

Chief Legal Officer &
EVP Public Affairs
Randstad

heather mullen

Heather L. Mullen

VP, Law & Corporate Secretary (Canada), US Legal Lead Customer Development
Kenvue Canada