Origen Air founder and CEO Susan Rae Blanchet took home gold in the Women in Business Thought Leader of the Year – Business Products category at the Stevie Awards last week.

Launched in 2002, the Stevies honor and promote the achievements and public contributions of organizations and professionals around the world. The awards program is divided into six categories, including that for Women in Business, which recognizes the achievements of female executives, entrepreneurs, and the organizations they run. The Victoria-based innovator is in good company; this year’s awards attracted over 1,600 nominations.

Founded in 2019, Origen Air was partially inspired by the health challenges of Blanchet’s father, whose work as a civil engineer may have exposed him to toxins.

Origen Air develops air purification systems that combine filtration, sensors, and a nature-inspired design with bioengineered plant technology. Origen Air’s bio-boosted plants have proven to reduce up to 40 percent of total volatile organic compounds, the company says. These super-plants, an improved version of a golden pothos ivy, are developed at the University of Washington.

Origen Air has also been nominated as Startup of the Year at the VIATEC Community Awards.