The Barrie Chamber of Commerce announced the finalists for the 2025 Women in Business Awards this afternoon at the chamber headquarters.
The annual event "celebrates the outstanding achievements of women making waves in Barrie’s business landscape," chamber officials wrote in a release.
"The Women in Business Awards shines a spotlight on women who are shaping Barrie through their innovation, leadership, social impact and fearless entrepreneurship. This is more than just an awards ceremony. It’s a celebration of trailblazers who continue to push boundaries and inspire leaders and innovators across the region."
The chamber says they received a record number of nominations and acceptances between December 2024 and February 2025.
The top three finalists across eight categories were unveiled.
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The finalists in each category, in alphabetical order:
Creative Visionary – Sponsored by Downtown Barrie BIA
- Alexandra Giroux, The Arts House
- Daria Montague, Healing Arts Micropigmentation Centre
- Amanda Patrick, Ladr Consulting
Community Impact – Sponsored by Alectra Utilities
- Nikki Glahn, Barrie Families Unite
- Peggy Hill, The Peggy Hill Team
- Sharon Smith, Connect Hair Studio Inc
Entrepreneur – Sponsored by Bill Gosling Outsourcing
- Gagandeep Randhawa, Hukam Law Professional Corporation
- Christina Romita, The Transformation Station
- Candice Thomas, Evergreen Massage Therapy & Wellness Studio
Healthcare Hero – Sponsored by Superior Home Health Care
- Jennifer Connor, Daisy a Day Home Care
- Laura Fess, Vox Mental Health
- Kelly Hubbard, Hospice Simcoe
Intrapreneur – Sponsored by Doane Grant Thornton LLP
- Laura Payne, White Tuque
- Charlotte Richardson, Superior Home Health Care
- Pauline Stevenson, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
Visionary – Sponsored by Meridian
- Rebecca Bartley, Trooper Pet Veterinary Nursing
- Shannon Murree, Shannon Murree Group
- Kara Wardinger, Pawty Animals
Woman In Trade – Sponsored by Georgian College
- Courtney Bobbitt, Bertram Construction (Ontario) Ltd.
- Stephanie Gourlie Murray, Intent Stone Design958 / Discount Granite Plus Inc.
- Kim Roberts, Fix Auto Barrie North
Young Entrepreneur – Sponsored by Invest Barrie
- Emily Blocksdorf, Anchors Away Photography
- Maguire Boucher, The Hound Lounge Inc.
- Sherin Rana, Mushk.Shop
Candice Thomas, owner of Evergreen Massage Therapy & Wellness Studio in downtown Barrie, expressed her excitement to be named a finalist in the entrepreneur category.
"I think it's an honour just to be nominated by your community," Thomas told Barrie 360. "I'm so thrilled. It honestly gives entrepreneurs such a boost and motivation to keep going and doing what they're doing."
Thomas says her business has grown fast over the past year.
"The amount of work and impact we've made in the community is huge," she said. "We hope to bring that win home.
Paul Markle, CEO of the chamber, also noted the boost these awards give.
"This is a long-standing tradition in Barrie and we have a long-standing tradition of strong female leadership," Markle explained to Barrie 360.
"I think this inspires the next generation. Female entrepreneurs have to work harder than everybody else and boosting them up and celebrating their successes, I think, is a very important thing for the business community to do."
The award winners will be revealed at a luncheon gala at Liberty North on Friday, March 7th.
Ticket sales close Friday, February 28, at 11:59 pm. Markle added that tickets are over 70 per cent sold.
Visit barriechamber.com/women to purchase tickets and for more information.
