Recognizing the achievements of members of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough

A list of the organization's members who have been publicly honoured for their business and community leadership

Two members of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough who were publicly recognized in 2019 for their achievements: Monika Carmichael of Trent Valley Honda, who received the Women in Business Award for business leadership, and Kim Appleton of Emmatt Digital, who received the Judy Heffernan Award for empowering other women to succeed. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)
Two members of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough who were publicly recognized in 2019 for their achievements: Monika Carmichael of Trent Valley Honda, who received the Women in Business Award for business leadership, and Kim Appleton of Emmatt Digital, who received the Judy Heffernan Award for empowering other women to succeed. (Photo: Bianca Nucaro / kawarthaNOW.com)

Over the years, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough has had many successful and impactful women among its members, from entrepreneurs and small business owners to professionals, managers, and executives from large organizations.

So it’s no surprise that many WBN members have had both their business achievements and community contributions publicly recognized and honoured.

With the following list, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the business and other achievements of some past and current members of WBN (note: this list is not meant to be exhaustive).

 

Women in Business Award Winners

  • 2019 – Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda
  • 2018 – No award*
  • 2017 – No award*
  • 2016 – Gwyneth James, Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants
  • 2015 – Amy Simpson, MicroAge
  • 2014 – Kerri Davies, Canadian Mental Health Association HKPR
  • 2013 – Kyla Gutsche, Cosmetic Transformations
  • 2012 – Sally Harding, Nightingale Nursing
  • 2011 – Sheridan Graham, The County of Peterborough
  • 2010 – Jean Grant, The Toy Shop
  • 2009 – Kathy Windrem, BDO Canada
  • 2008 – Mary LaRocque, Marlin Travel
  • 2007 – Tina Johnston, Fandango Spa
  • 2006 – Kim Paget, Paget Dental
  • 2005 – Jeannine Taylor, kawarthaNOW
  • 2004 – Helen Hamilton, Costume King
  • 2003 – Gail Courneyea, Angels of Flight

*Prior to 2019, the Women in Business Award was called the Business Woman of the Year Award and was organized by the Peterborough Examiner, which did not present the award in 2017 or 2018. WBN now organizes and presents the Women in Business Award.

 

Judy Heffernan Award Winners

  • 2019 – Kim Appleton
  • 2018 – No award*
  • 2017 – No award*
  • 2016 – Louise Racine
  • 2015 – Sofie Andreou

*Prior to 2019, the Judy Heffernan Award was called the Judy Heffernan Memorial Award and was organized by the Peterborough Examiner, which did not present the award in 2017 or 2018. WBN now organizes and presents the Judy Heffernan Award.

 

Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards

Some of the 55 women who were recognized during the inaugural Peterborough-Kawartha Women's Leadership Awards Gala at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on October 27, 2018, including Women's Business Network of Peterborough members Jeannine Taylor, Sarah Susnar, and Sofie Andreou. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)
Some of the 55 women who were recognized during the inaugural Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards Gala at Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough on October 27, 2018, including Women’s Business Network of Peterborough members Jeannine Taylor, Sarah Susnar, and Sofie Andreou. (Photo: Office of Maryam Monsef)

The Peterborough-Kawartha Women’s Leadership Awards were established in 2018 by Peterborough-Kawartha MP and Minister for Women and Gender Equality Women Maryam Monsef to recognize women’s leadership in the community, whether through volunteering, public service, professional achievements, advocacy, or being a remarkable friend or family member. A total of 55 women were recognized in 2019, including three WBN members.

  • 2018 – Jeannine Taylor (kawarthaNOW.com), Sarah Susnar (Play Cafe Peterborough), Sofie Andreou (Sofie Andreou & Associates)

 

Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame

  • 2019 – Janet McLeod, East City Flower Shop
  • 2018 – Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda
Women's Business Network of Peterborough member Janet McLeod of East City Flower Shop (front row, far right) was one of 12 new inductees into the 2019 Junior Achievement Business Hall. Also pictured are, front row from left, Michaela Konopaski (representing her father Michael Konopaski of Inclusive Advisory), Dr. Ramesh Makhija of R and R Laboratories; second row, from left, Dana Empey and Scott Stewart of Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel, Dave Smith of DNS Realty, and John Gillis of Measuremax; and back row, from left, Scott Stuart of Kawartha TV and Stereo (representing his father Glenn), Shelby Watt of Flavour Fashion, Providence, and S.O.S (inducted with with Mike Watt, not pictured), Scott Wood of Ashburnham Ale House, and Robert Winslow of 4th Line Theatre. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)
Women’s Business Network of Peterborough member Janet McLeod of East City Flower Shop (front row, far right) was one of 12 new inductees into the 2019 Junior Achievement Business Hall. Also pictured are, front row from left, Michaela Konopaski (representing her father Michael Konopaski of Inclusive Advisory), Dr. Ramesh Makhija of R and R Laboratories; second row, from left, Dana Empey and Scott Stewart of Carlson Wagonlit Stewart Travel, Dave Smith of DNS Realty, and John Gillis of Measuremax; and back row, from left, Scott Stuart of Kawartha TV and Stereo (representing his father Glenn), Shelby Watt of Flavour Fashion, Providence, and S.O.S (inducted with with Mike Watt, not pictured), Scott Wood of Ashburnham Ale House, and Robert Winslow of 4th Line Theatre. (Photo: Paul Rellinger / kawarthaNOW.com)

 

Civic Awards – City of Peterborough

  • 2015 – Susan Dunkley Porter – Cultural Betterment
  • 2001 – Kerri Davies – Cultural Betterment
  • 2000 – Jeannine Taylor – Community Betterment

 

Peterborough County Agricultural Wall of Fame

  • 2017 – Cora Whittington

 

Premier’s Award Nominees – Nominations by Fleming College

  • 2012 – Kim Appleton
  • 2009 – Kerri Davies, Fleming College Alumnus of Distinction
  • 2003 – Jeannine Taylor

 

Community Recognition

  • 2018 – Susan Sharp – Rotarian of the Year, Rotary Club of Peterborough
  • 2017 – Brenda Ibey – Hazel Wilson Award, Ontario Horticultural Association (District 4)
  • 2017 – Anne Arnold – Canadian Blood Services Recognition (75 blood donations)
  • 2005 – Susan Dunkley Porter – Peterborough Service Community Award, Scouts Canada

 

Professional Awards and Designations

  • 2018 – Grace Reynolds, Reynolds Mortgages – Best New Agent, Mortgage Awards of Excellence

 

Bear’s Lair Entrepreneurial Competition

  • 2018 – Alexandra Campbell, Kavtek Software Corporation
  • 2017 – Kellie Coon, Ship Shape Service

 

Win This Space Entrepreneurial Competition

  • 2018 – Nadine Michael, Willow Bark
  • 2017 – Tina Bromley, Tiny Greens Plant Cafe

 

WBN Member of the Year Award

Arlene Blunck of All Office Machines (right) was chosen as 2018-19 Member of the Year by the membership of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough (WBN). She is pictured here with 2018-19 WBN President Tracey Ormond, who received the award the previous year. (Photo: WBN)
Arlene Blunck of All Office Machines (right) was chosen as 2018-19 Member of the Year by the membership of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN). She is pictured here with 2018-19 WBN President Tracey Ormond, who received the award the previous year. (Photo: WBN)

The WBN Member of the Year Award was created in 1982 by long-time WBN member and Past President Maureen Tavener, who was inspired by a similar award given out by the former Canadian Advertising and Sales Association. The Member of the Year Award honours a woman who best embodies the spirit of the WBN membership.

Each April, WBN members have the opportunity to vote online by secret ballot to select a deserving recipient. Every member, except the current year’s President, is eligible for the award. The award is then presented at the organization’s May general meeting.

  • 2018-19 – Arlene Blunck, All Office Machines
  • 2017-18 – Tracey Ormond, That’s a Wrap! Catering
  • 2016-17 – Louise Racine, Thirteen Moons Wellness
  • 2015-16 – Louise Racine, Thirteen Moons Wellness
  • 2014-15 – Denise Travers, SunLife
  • 2013-14 – Cheri Anderson, The Crate Escape

A he full list of the other 33 past recipients of the WBN Member of the Year Award is available on the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s website.

 

For more information about the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.