2026 Impact Awards Winner: Carlsberg Canada

At Carlsberg Canada, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are foundational to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued and empowered. This commitment extends beyond the workplace through strategic partnerships that create tangible opportunities for women, non-binary individuals and the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

A cornerstone of these efforts is the partnership with Pink Boots Society Canada, which supports women and non-binary professionals in the fermentation industry through education and scholarships. For two consecutive years, Carlsberg’s Kitchener, Ont. facility has hosted International Women’s Day brewing events, uniting employees and industry peers to celebrate increased representation in the craft. Beyond awareness, Carlsberg matches intent with financial action: in 2025, the company donated 15% of proceeds from its special brew—totalling more than $2,000—to the Pink Boots scholarship program.

Simultaneously, Carlsberg has championed 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion through Somersby’s collaboration with The Get Real Movement, a non-profit dedicated to combatting discrimination and bullying. By donating 10 cents from every participating Somersby can sold, the initiative funded vital educational programming across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. These contributions boosted the University Chapter Program, empowering students to lead advocacy campaigns, as well as the Steps of Pride speaker series, which amplifies 2SLGBTQ+ voices for hundreds of thousands of students and educators nationwide.

These initiatives succeed because they are powered by people. Carlsberg associates drive the impact through active participation in brewing and fundraising, while consumers are invited to make purpose-driven purchases that fuel real-world progress. By anchoring its DEI strategy in meaningful, transparent action, Carlsberg Canada is raising the bar for the industry and proving that its commitment to belonging is rooted in change that lasts.