WGCC VANGUARD AWARD
Sponsored by ZSA
Honouring Trailblazing Women General Counsel in Canada
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
The Honourable Justice
Julia S. Shin Doi
Judge
Ontario Superior Court of Justice
Bindu Cudjoe
Principal and
Strategic Advisor
Bindustries Consulting Inc
Cheryl A. Foy
President
Strategic Governance Consulting Services Ltd
Elspeth Hagan
Senior Counsel
TD Bank
Financial Group
Alexa Abiscott
Chief Legal Officer
& Secretary
ApplyBoard
Lara Speirs
Chief Legal Officer &
EVP Public Affairs
Randstad
Heather L. Mullen
VP, Law & Corporate Secretary (Canada), US Legal Lead Customer Development
Kenvue Canada