The numbers add up
Your Ottawa Region
Jamie Doggart
Mar 18, 2010
The numbers add up. Tracey Pagé was nominated as a finalist for the Businesswoman of the Year Award on March 9. "I'm really honoured to be among a group of strong and successful women in the Ottawa area," Tracey Pagé, finalist for Businesswoman of the Year said.
A group of nine Ottawa women were nominated and recognized for their contributions in their field of work at the Women's Business Network luncheon March 9.
Among the finalists is Pagé, a certified general accountant and principal at Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP Chartered Professional Accountants.
Pagé attributes her success I business to a well rounded life, which balances work, community and family.
"Organization and a support system are key," Pagé said. "Every job has its stresses, but you have to have a vision of what's important and put them in the right place."
Pagé said that a strong support system at home is what helped her accomplish as much as she had.
"Flexible home support - understanding when you have to work late some nights is important," she said.
Pagé gives back to her community when she can by helping found the Alzheimer's Society's Walk for Memories.
"I had a personal interest with Alzheimer's," she said.
Pagé used her skills as an accountant and provided corporate sponsorship to help get the walk going. From there employees started to volunteer, bringing their experiences in the business domain with them.
Getting to meet with all the other candidates at the luncheon was a great experience for Pagé who is looking forward to getting to know her fellow nominees.
"I was so impressed! They're all so accomplished," Pagé said. "No matter who wins everyone did a great job."
The selection process for these women is quite rigorous. The deserving woman has to be nominated by a member of the community, whether it is a co-worker, a client, or someone who simply recognizes all of her hard work.
"We're really quite proud of the integrity of our selection process," Elizabeth Costello, co-chair of nominating and awards committee said.
Once a businesswoman has been nominated, she is notified and from there can choose to accept or decline the honour.
If the nomination is accepted, the nominee then is required to write a submission, which in turn needs to be validated by a lawyer or superior to prove that the statement is true.
The submissions then move through two rounds of selection by a committee comprised of peers.
A separate committee from the first two will review the finalists for the winner.
The winner will be announced at the Business Woman of the Year awards gala on April 29.