Suzanne Blanchet, president and CEO of Cascades Tissue Group, has won a Gold Stevie Award for the “Female Executive of the Year in Canada” category in the 10th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the company has announced.

The award was given to Blanchet "as recognition of her outstanding contribution to her company and industry." Under her leadership, Cascades Tissue Group has become a billion-dollar leader in the tissue industry, pioneering environmentally sound and innovative paper products.

“It is with profound gratitude and great humility that I receive this award,” said Suzanne Blanchet. “I would like to share it with my colleagues, who all contributed to Cascades Tissue Group’s success and international recognition.”

According to the company, Blanchet is the first woman to chair a paper company in North America. She began her impressive career as a finance intern and evolved to her becoming president and CEO of Cascades Tissue Group in 1997, and "has been hallmarked by tenacity, dedication to her employees and a willingness to constantly push boundaries and innovate." T

“Since her début at Cascades, Suzanne has always pushed the limits,” said Mario Plourde, Cascades’ president and CEO. “She is energetic, direct and transparent, and she’s always looking for greater and better things for Cascades. Through her leadership, she successfully built a billion-dollar business starting from a one-plant operation. She is an example of determination and success, and we commend her on this meaningful honor.”

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business are the world’s top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives, employees and the organizations they run.  Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word for “crowned,” the awards were presented to winners during a sold-out event at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

More than 1,200 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration.