Read all about it: the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough begins its new season

kawarthaNOW's new special editorial section features stories about the 2019-20 board, this year's speakers, the new mentoring program, selected member profiles, and more

By Jeannine Taylor -
Published
The 2019-20 Board of Directors of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. Front row, left to right: Program Director Sara George, Program Director Danielle McIver, Past President Tracey Ormond, President Grace Reynolds, External Communications Director Rencee Noonan, Director at Large Laurie English, and Secretary Nadine James. Back row, left to right: Technical Director Tiffany Arcari, Membership Director Arlene Blunck, Member Communications Director Vanessa Dinesen, Treasurer Christine Teixeira, Strategic Planning Director Diane Wolf, and Awards Director Paula Kehoe. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
The 2019-20 Board of Directors of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. Front row, left to right: Program Director Sara George, Program Director Danielle McIver, Past President Tracey Ormond, President Grace Reynolds, External Communications Director Rencee Noonan, Director at Large Laurie English, and Secretary Nadine James. Back row, left to right: Technical Director Tiffany Arcari, Membership Director Arlene Blunck, Member Communications Director Vanessa Dinesen, Treasurer Christine Teixeira, Strategic Planning Director Diane Wolf, and Awards Director Paula Kehoe. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) officially launches its 2019-20 season on Wednesday (September 4), and kawarthaNOW.com — for the third year in a row — is providing digital promotion for the Kawarthas’ preeminent networking organization for professional women.

WBN is for professional women from all walks of life, whether aspiring or experienced entrepreneurs and business owners or employees or leaders of public and private sector businesses and organizations. It’s also for women who want to share their business expertise, knowledge, and inspiration with others, or just want to enjoy camaraderie with like-minded women.

You can read all about WBN in our special WBN editorial section, which we’ve launched to coincide with WBN’s season kick-off meeting on September 4th at the Holiday Inn Waterfront in downtown Peterborough. The sold-out meeting features author and motivational speaker Parmida Barez speaking on the topic “Becoming Your Own Hero”.

Grace Reynolds, 2019-20 President of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: Heather Doughty)
Grace Reynolds, 2019-20 President of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: Heather Doughty)

Our special section includes everything you want and need to know about WBN, which has 176 members this year — it’s the first time in WBN history that membership has sold out before the early bird deadline (check out our profiles of selected WBN members).

You can meet the 13 women on the 2019-20 WBN Board of Directors who are guiding the organization this year, and read an inspiring message from the organization’s 2019-20 president Grace Reynolds, who introduces this year’s theme: “Be true to yourself”.

You can find out what’s planned for WBN member meetings in 2019-20, including the lineup of diverse and inspiring guest speakers. As well as Parimda Barez, this year’s speakers includes author and health and wellness coach Trisj Tonaj, youth leader and Children’s Peace Prize winner Kehkashan Basu, Syrian native and settlement worker Abeer Al-Salihi, professinal coach and trainer Carol Schulte, innovation leader Shelli Baltman, and comedian and actress Kate Davis.

Youth activist Kehkashan Basu, pictured here at 16 years old receiving the 2016 International Children's Peace Prize from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus in The Hague, is one of the inspiring speakers on the 2019-20 program of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: Rick Nederstigt / ANP)
Youth activist Kehkashan Basu, pictured here at 16 years old receiving the 2016 International Children’s Peace Prize from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus in The Hague, is one of the inspiring speakers on the 2019-20 program of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: Rick Nederstigt / ANP)

While 2019-20 WBN membership is sold out, you can still attend a member meeting as a guest. If you missed out on 2019-20 membership, we provide many compelling reasons why you should join WBN next year. New WBN members will also find the story valuable for learning more about the many benefits of belonging to the organization.

New this year is our story about WBN’s new mentoring program, where volunteer WBN mentors are paired up with other WBN members to support their mentee’s professional development from October to June.

Also new this year is our story about the WBN’s newest awards — the Women in Business Award and the Judy Heffernan Award — that respectively recognize women in the city and county of Peterborough who have demonstrated outstanding business leadership and empowerment of other women.

Play Café Peterborough Sarah Susnar was one of 20 mentees who participated in the Women's Business Network of Peterborough's mentoring pilot program in 2018-19. She says it was a great experience and would recommend the program to anyone needing help in her business. The mentorship program is back for 2019-20, with applications opening in September. (Photo: Paula Kehoe)
Play Café Peterborough Sarah Susnar was one of 20 mentees who participated in the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough’s mentoring pilot program in 2018-19. She says it was a great experience and would recommend the program to anyone needing help in her business. The mentorship program is back for 2019-20, with applications opening in September. (Photo: Paula Kehoe)

We also recognize the achievements of WBN members who have been publicly honoured for their business and community leadership and — in another new story — provide a list of local and non-local resources that are available for female entrepreneurs and business owners to start or expand their businesses.

One of the most interesting features of our WBN editorial section are the profiles of selected WBN members, ranging from entrepreneurs and small business owners to senior leaders of organizations. You’ll be amazed and inspired by what these women are doing in our community, both on a professional and personal level:

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region CEO Sarah Burke outside the organization's offices at 300 Milroy Drive in Peterborough. Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is launching its first-ever multi-residential project to construct a 41-unit affordable condo building in Peterborough, expanding the organization's efforts to provide affordable home ownership to low-income couples, singles, single-parent families, and seniors. (Photo: April Potter / kawarthaNOW.com)
Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region CEO Sarah Burke outside the organization’s offices at 300 Milroy Drive in Peterborough. Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is launching its first-ever multi-residential project to construct a 41-unit affordable condo building in Peterborough, expanding the organization’s efforts to provide affordable home ownership to low-income couples, singles, single-parent families, and seniors. (Photo: April Potter / kawarthaNOW.com)

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