Dr. Denise Belsham honoured as one of WXN's Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners
Physiology's Dr. Denise Belsham has won a Women's Executive Network (WXN) Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award. The awards celebrate 102 women whose leadership, innovation and impact are transforming industries, organizations and communities across the country. Winners were selected by WXN's Global Alliance for Inclusive Leadership, a partnership of established and influential corporations committed to helping women rise and lead. Winners span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
"I am beyond incredibly honoured to be included in this list -- in the STEM category with all of these amazing and extraordinary women!" Belsham said. "It has been the joy of my life to work in science and entrepreneurship with some of the most brilliant people around - including faculty, trainees and students. Thanks to all of my own champions - you help to make me better in every aspect of my professional and personal life."
Dr. Belsham is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair with over 30 years of neuroendocrine research accolades. She is the President of the International Neuroendocrine Federation. Awarded the President’s Teaching Award, she is a champion for women in STEM, and uses innovative methods to enhance learning. To distribute her unique “neurons in a dish” worldwide, she founded her first company, CELLutions Biosystems. She recently founded ZAPetite after discovering a nature-identical plant hormone for appetite and weight management.
Dr. Belsham is in good company among this year's winners, as well as those of the past, including Lisa LaFlamme, award-winning international journalist; Princess Sarah Culberson, Princess of Sierra Leone; The Honourable Rona Ambrose, former leader of Canada’s Official Opposition in the House of Commons; and Dr. Makaziwe Mandela, global activist, head of the House of Mandela and the daughter of Nelson Mandela. WXN has celebrated 1,833 women with a Top 100 Award since the program launched in 2012.
“This year has tested what it means to rise boldly, and our Top 100 Award Winners have shown us what it means to answer the call,” said Sherri Stevens, Owner and CEO of WXN. “They’ve turned setbacks into breakthroughs, uncertainty into courage, and ambition into real impact. Their achievements light a path for others, proving that strength, confidence and purpose are unstoppable—and that when women rise boldly, they change the whole world around them.”
Physiology congratulates Dr. Belsham for her world-changing work and this richly deserved honour.