The51 Co-CEOs Named Among Canada’s Top Changemakers by The Globe and Mail

Shelley Kuipers and Judy Fairburn recognized for redefining who holds, and deploys, capital in Canada’s economy.

We’re proud to share that The51’s Co-CEOs, Shelley Kuipers and Judy Fairburn, have been named to The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Changemakers list, honouring 50 Canadians shaping the future of business and society.

This recognition reflects more than leadership. It marks a movement of capital, ownership, and influence, one led by women who are redefining who builds wealth and drives innovation across the economy.

Under Shelley and Judy’s leadership, The51 has grown from an investing collective into a venture firm and financial ecosystem that unlocks the economic power of women. Together with our sister nonprofit Movement51, we are preparing and mobilizing a generation of founders and investors to participate fully in Canada’s capital markets.

With women projected to hold 65% of Canada’s wealth by 2030, this work is not just about equity, it’s about economic strategy. Every investment made through The51 activates wealth where it has long been underestimated, fueling innovation in healthcare, cleantech, financial services, food and agtech, and beyond.

Still, the opportunity, and the gap, remain vast. Today, less than 2% of global venture capital goes to women-led ventures. In Canada, the number sits around 10%. At The51, we’re closing that gap by deploying capital with conviction, backing high-potential founders, and expanding who gets to influence the future of industries and economies.

Shelley and Judy’s recognition is shared with our entire community, investors, founders, partners, and allies who believe in an economy powered by women’s capital. Together, we are building what’s next: a future where participation, performance, and prosperity are shared.

See the full list and read the article in The Globe and Mail here.