On February 23, judges, sponsors and guests celebrated the 2005 Influential Women in Business Awards at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Five winners were named from among the 10 finalists, and Doreen McKenzie-Sanders was awarded the first annual Lifetime Achievement Award.

2005 winners:

Karen Flavelle Purdy's Chocolates
Debra Lykkemark Culinary Capers
Eva Lee Kwok Amara International Investment
Pat Jacobsen Translink
Sandra Stevenson Sport BC

Above: Dorren McKenzie-Sanders accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award from Peter Ladner as keynote speaker Elizabeth Watson looks on

  Awards celebrate women in business

Sixth annual gala event to welcome five new Influential Women in Business

  Lifetime Achievement Award

Doreen McKenzie-Sanders Executive Director, Women in the Lead Inc.

  Meet the 2005 Influential Women in Business finalists

  Past winners

  Associations smooth the path to business success

Options range from expatriate networking to educational forums

  Corporate boards slow to recruit women

Private-sector companies lag far behind government agencies

  Financing available to women entrepreneurs

Approval rates slightly higher than for male business owners

  Study debunks leadership stereotypes

Business leaders recognize value of teamwork regardless of gender