Merit Award Gala

The annual Merit Award Gala is the Women’s Bond Club’s largest, most high-profile annual event. Hosted and attended by industry leaders, the dinner strengthens and supports the WBC’s mission of advancing women in financial services and helping shape the future of the industry.  

Since 1993, the dinner has honored exceptional female leaders both within the financial services industry and beyond. It raises money for the WBC’s mission-focused programs. Each year, its keynote speaker delivers inspiring remarks that underscore the WBC’s focus on career development, education, empowering women to lead, and giving back to the community. It boasts an attendance of more than 750 industry leaders each year.

The dinner features two awards – the Merit Award and the Betty Cook Award.  

The Merit Award is given to a woman in the financial community who is widely recognized for her industry-wide contributions as well as the leadership role she plays within her firm. Its nominees typically have a significant voice and influence within their firm's senior management structures. Click here for a historical list of the winners.

The Betty Cook Award (formerly the Isabel Benham Award) is given to a woman who has dedicated herself to helping empower and advance other women – no matter what industry they are in.