Announcing the 2026 MQCC Business Award Recipients

by | | Blog


And the winners are…

Posted on March 20, 2026

The Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce (MQCC) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Annual Business Awards. The event began in 2013 as a way to recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses whose leadership, innovation, and dedication are creating a positive impact on Manitoba’s 2SLGBTQIA+ and broader business communities. Yesterday’s event was the first time the awards have been given out since 2021.

The MQCC Annual Business Awards celebrate the visionaries who champion diversity, foster inclusion, and strengthen our economy while uplifting queer voices. They highlight the power of entrepreneurship, allyship, and community building in shaping a more vibrant, equitable Manitoba.

Nominations for the Awards are accepted for a limited time each year and recipients are chosen by a committee made up of business leaders from Manitoba’s queer community. Nominations for this year’s Awards were accepted until January 31, 2026.

Award Recipients

Emerging Entrepreneur Award: Jake Gumangan, Prestige XP

This award celebrates an entrepreneur who has launched a new business within the past five years and is already making waves in Manitoba’s queer community and economy. It recognizes innovation, resilience, and the courage to take risks, highlighting individuals who are building sustainable enterprises while uplifting queer voices. The recipient demonstrates not only business growth but also a commitment to representation, visibility, and positive social impact.

This year’s Emerging Entrepreneur Award recipient is Jake Gumangan of Prestige XP.

Jake Gumangan is the founder of Prestige XP, a Manitoba‑based travel and events management company redefining inclusive tourism. Specializing in bespoke experiences for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, and accessibility‑focused travelers, Jake creates safety, dignity, and belonging where barriers once existed. A seasoned community leader with experience in Ontario’s Pride and advocacy sectors, he brought his vision to Manitoba and quickly became a key mobilizer. Jake has launched high‑impact initiatives such as Queers on the Quad, Rainbow Riot, and Echoes of Hope, bridging national advocacy with grassroots action to advance economic inclusion and social connection. Learn more.

Employer of the Year Award: Sheri Bailey, Purpose Construction

Honouring a business owner or senior employee of a Manitoba business who exemplifies leadership in workplace culture, this award recognizes those who prioritize employee engagement, foster work‑life balance, and champion diversity and inclusion. The recipient demonstrates that creating equitable, supportive workplaces is not only good for business but essential for building stronger communities. This award shines a light on employers who model best practices and inspire others to follow suit.

This year’s Employer of the Year Award goes to Sheri Bailey of Purpose Construction.

Sheri Bailey is the Executive Director of Purpose Construction, a social‑purpose construction company dedicated to building affordable housing in Winnipeg’s North End while creating meaningful employment for people traditionally excluded from the sector. A member of the queer community, Sheri leads a team that is 97% made up of marginalized workers, including queer, trans, Two‑Spirit, Indigenous, newcomer, and justice‑involved individuals. In an industry still dominated by heterosexual white men, Sheri’s leadership demonstrates how queer entrepreneurship can redefine business models, proving that inclusive hiring and community‑rooted training can fundamentally transform who belongs in construction. Learn more.

 

Corporate Ally Award: Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Recognizing a large corporation or business entity with annual revenues of at least $10 million, this award honours organizations that leverage their influence and resources to make a substantial positive impact on Manitoba’s queer community. The recipient demonstrates authentic allyship through sustained investment, inclusive policies, and meaningful partnerships. This award highlights the role of corporate leadership in advancing equity, visibility, and opportunity for queer Manitobans.

This year’s Corporate Ally Award recipient is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is the world’s first museum dedicated to the evolution, celebration, and future of human rights. Guided by the belief that understanding human rights can inspire positive change, the Museum explores human rights in Canada and globally, fostering reflection, dialogue, and respect for others. CMHR plays a vital role in preserving and promoting human rights heritage, contributing to collective memory, and offering research, learning, and cultural experiences in both official languages. Its work is grounded in principles of sustainability, relevance, and growing community engagement. Learn more.

Community Builder Award: Lisa Goss, Morning Star Consultive Services & Adam Kelly, Social Entrepreneurship Enclave

This award acknowledges an individual or community organization whose dedication and vision have significantly strengthened Manitoba’s queer community. Whether through advocacy, programming, mentorship, or grassroots organizing, the recipient has created meaningful opportunities for connection, empowerment, and visibility. Their work demonstrates the power of collective action and the importance of building inclusive spaces where queer people can thrive.

The first recipient of this year’s Community Builder Award, chosen from 11 nominees, is Lisa Goss of Morning Star Consultive Services.

Lisa Goss is the founder of Morning Star Consultive Services and a retired nurse with over 30 years of leadership across healthcare, labour relations, and nonprofit governance. Known for building inclusive, trauma-informed, and sustainable systems, Lisa brings deep expertise in frontline health, harm reduction, and organizational transformation. She was instrumental in establishing one of Manitoba’s first transgender clinics and has consistently advocated for equitable, community-based services within the broader healthcare system. Founded in 2019 and named after her gifted spirit name, Morning Star operates on a cost-recovery model that ensures accessible governance and operational support. Grounded in lived experience and long-standing community engagement, Lisa has contributed to advancing systems that better serve queer, Two-Spirit, and marginalized communities, and is widely recognized for her board leadership and commitment to ethical, community-rooted governance. Learn more.

The second recipient of this year’s Community Builder Award is Adam Kelly of Social Entrepreneurship Enclave.

Adam Kelly is a queer ecosystem builder, organizational leader, and creative entrepreneur based on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg. They are the Co‑founder and COO of the Social Entrepreneurship Enclave (SEE), Manitoba’s oldest Indigenous- and Queer-founded entrepreneurial support organization. Adam’s background spans community arts organizing and nearly a decade as a leading portrait photographer, shaping their approach to ecosystem building through visual storytelling, harm reduction, and relationship-centered practice. At SEE, they translate values into action by designing programs rooted in Indigenous Ways and community knowledge, facilitating workshops and sharing circles that support founders across Manitoba. Learn more.

Chamber Member of the Year Award: Kathryn LeBlanc, LeBlanc (& co.) Communications

Selected by the MQCC Awards Committee, this award honours an individual, business, or organization whose active membership has significantly contributed to the mandate of the Chamber, as well as Manitoba’s queer community and economy. The recipient exemplifies the values of collaboration, advocacy, and leadership, serving as a role model for fellow members. Unlike other awards, nominations are not accepted; instead, the Committee identifies a member whose impact has been especially noteworthy over the past year.

This year’s Chamber Member of the Year Award goes to Kathryn LeBlanc of LeBlanc (& co.) Communications.

Kathryn LeBlanc is a social impact communications expert and the founder of LeBlanc (& co.) Communications, an agency that uses strategy, brand design, campaigns, and training to help mission‑driven organizations advance social change. With a lifelong commitment to human rights advocacy, she works across nonprofit, philanthropic, labour, government, and values‑aligned business sectors, supporting clients locally and globally. LeBlanc (& co.) has partnered with leading organizations such as Oxfam Canada, YWCA Canada, Mama Cash, the Fund for Global Human Rights, and many others dedicated to advancing social good. Kathryn’s work helps organizations communicate with clarity, resonance, and impact. Learn more.

For more information about the nominees, please click here.

The Event

Recipients in each category were recognized formally at MQCC’s Business Awards Cocktail Reception on March 19, 2026 at WAG-Qaumajuq. The event was hosted by CBC’s Faith Fundal and featured a drag performance by Kymera, music by The Kaptain, a raffle in support of MQCC’s newly established Equity & Access Fund, and time for connection and community-building through networking. The event was made possible thanks to financial support from the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada.

The evening also showcased the first cohort of MQCC’s EMERGE: Queer Entrepreneur Development Program, a program for Manitoba entrepreneurs in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to gain essential business skills and strategies and build a supportive network of mentors and colleagues. The 2025-26 cohort was comprised of 15 mentees and 10 mentors, all of whom were publicly recognized for their involvement in this pilot program.

The MQCC gratefully acknowledges support from our sponsors and donors who made this event possible:

The MQCC is also grateful to the 150+ individuals who attended the event on March 19. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s awards!