One of the most dynamic award programs is Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. I was asked to be a judge which was a great honour for me. The main areas of distinction were to look at level of innovation and also of community service. As I went through the list of outstanding young achievers in Canadian business, I was impressed to see the visionaries and innovators pushing the way things are done. Every applicant was inspiring others and already giving back to their communities and to Canada. And every one of them is under the age of forty. Impressive.

Founded in 1995 by Caldwell, Top 40 is the country’s most coveted award for young business leaders, often the first program to shine the spotlight on many successful Canadian notables. Honourees have gone on to create remarkable track records of achievement post-award; the ranks of Top 40 alumni include hundreds of nationally and internationally prominent CEOs, CFOs, executives, and entrepreneurs.

The Awards evening was spectacular and it was exciting to see all the under 40s busy networking.

I was fortunate enough to be seated with Ian Russell, former head of IIAC, who runs a superb newsletter that I recommend. I also got to sit with Sue Lemond, Head of the CFA, who gave me insight into CFA standards and global reach.