Constance Sugiyama, a senior partner at law firm Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, was awarded the 2009 Women in Capital Markets Award for Leadership on Wednesday evening.

Sugiyama, who served on Gowling’s national executive committee from 2005 to 2007 and led its national corporate finance, securities and public M&A group from 2002 to 2007, received the award at the Women in Capital Markets’ annual fundraising gala in Toronto.

The annual Award for Leadership goes to a senior executive who has combined professional excellence with a demonstrated commitment to advancing and supporting women in the capital markets.

Sugiyama is a founding board member of Women in Capital Markets, and the founding chair of the Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship Fund, which encourages qualified women in participating Canadian graduate business schools to pursue careers in capital markets. She also serves on the Senior Securities Lawyers Advisory Council to the Ontario Securities Commission and is chair of the board of trustees of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children. She has also served on the Securities Advisory Committee of the Ontario Securities Commission.

“Connie has been a tireless supporter of WCM since its inception and is a mentor for women in both the capital markets and the legal profession,” said Martha Fell, CEO of Women in Capital Markets. “Not only has she advanced WCM’s mandate, but she’s forged a path for many women to reach new heights of leadership in both their careers and their communities.”

In presenting the award, Diane Sinhuber, financial services industry leader at Ernst and Young, called Sugiyama a “true trailblazer” and a “natural leader.”

“She is the spirit of what the WCM Leadership Award represents,” said Sinhuber.

In accepting the award, Sugiyama gave a brief speech at the 400-person event.

“This is a very special organization to me,” Sugiyama said. “I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to see how it’s thrived and sustained and grown.”

Sugiyama spoke about how the financial crisis of recent months has severely harmed the image of the financial industry among the public. She said it’s important for the industry to regain trust.

“There’s a real opportunity to prove that this industry is full of fine people who give back to the community,” she said. “Now’s your chance to give back something and to prove that this industry is a great place to work.”

Sugiyama also praised the efforts Women in Capitals Markets has made in promoting the industry as a career option among young women in Canada.

IE