Peterborough Economic Development’s Board of Directors has announced that Rhonda Keenan will be joining the organization as its President and CEO as of February 29, 2016.
Over the past 12 years, Keenan has held positions within the City of Oshawa’s Economic Development Services branch, most recently as Acting Director.
Her accomplishments include completing land acquisitions to advance what is now the General Motors Centre in downtown Oshawa.
Keenan also led the attraction of key investments and opportunities to the City of Oshawa, including Fresh Del Monte (Del Monte’s first Canadian operation) and Spark Centre (the Regional Innovation Centre or Durham and Northumberland), and secured commitment to create a 90-seat incubator for small technology-based start-ups.
“I look forward to starting in this new role and working with the team and community stakeholders,” says Keenan. “This is a great opportunity in a great community. I am eager to continue the work that Peterborough Economic Development is doing to transform the region into a high-performing sustainable economy.”
A media release from Peterborough Economic Development states that Keenan is known for her collaborative approach to developing partnerships and working with a variety of community stakeholders in the City of Oshawa and Durham Region.
“We wanted to ensure the new CEO had the dynamism to liaise with the various players that make up our region’s diverse and vibrant economy,” says Peter Gaffney, Peterborough Economic Development’s Board Chair. “Rhonda brings a level of experience with business development and relationship building that is very important to how we lead regional economic development.”
Peterborough Economic Development hired Keenan following a strategic review by the organization’s selection committee working with the City and the County of Peterborough. This was followed by a formal search where applications were received from interested and qualified professionals across the country.
