Women in Capital Markets’ 2010 Vinifera gala is set to be an evening of milestones, marking a decade since the first annual networking event, and 15 years since the non-profit organization itself was established.

The association, which promotes the entry, advancement, and development of women in the capital markets industry, will hold the 10th annual Vinifera gala on Wednesday, March 10 at the Carlu in Toronto.

The networking and fundraising event features gourmet foods, wine tasting, a live auction and a silent auction, and presents an opportunity for Women in Capital Markets to raise awareness of its cause.

Between 400 and 800 people typically attend the event, according to Martha Fell, CEO of Women in Capital Markets.

This year, Vinifera will feature some of Toronto’s top female chefs, including Anne Yarymowich from FRANK, Christine Cushing from Fearless in the Kitchen on the W Network, Amar Patel of Indian Rice Factory, Dufflet Rosenberg of Dufflet Pastries, Esther Benaim of Great Cooks on Eight, and Dinah Koo of Koo & Co.

“We’re quite excited to be able to feature and focus on women chefs at this event,” says Fell.

But the event is not only for women, she adds. “It really is not about women,” says Fell. “It is about brining Bay Street together.”

Proceeds from Vinifera will go towards the Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship Fund — an endowment set-up to encourage young women to pursue careers within the capital markets and financial industries — as well as to other education initiatives and outreach programs by Women in Capital Markets.

The Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1998. Each year it provides scholarships to four women who are pursuing an MBA, including a cash component and a paid summer job at a major investment dealer. Fell says the program provides a foot-in-the-door to the industry for women who display strong potential, but who may not otherwise get the opportunity.

“We seek, with the support of the schools, young women who are talented, who have shown a strong skill-set through their academics and through perhaps their community involvement, and an interest in the capital markets,” says Fell. “It’s really about finding those young women who might not otherwise get that break.”

The summer job component of the scholarship provides the women with an excellent start to their career, according to Fell: “It’s by far, way more valuable than the cash,” she says, noting that most of the women who have received the scholarships are still in the capital markets industry.

IE