When we talk about women in business who make impactful change in the community while guiding future leaders, there are more than a few women in Peterborough who fit the bill.
Inclusive of both emerging and established professionals as well as entrepreneurs and employees, 60 of those women have been nominated for the second annual Luminary Awards organized by the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, with the finalists to be announced at a sold-out May 7 luncheon at Trent University.
“These women show how much potential, how much drive, how much creativity, how business savvy, how much entrepreneurship there is in our community — all of those positive traits are here, are flourishing, are growing,” says Martha Sullivan of Sullivan Law Ptbo, returning as a presenting sponsor of the awards along with kawarthaNOW.
“I have huge respect for the panel that is going to choose the award recipients, as I have looked over all the nominations and I could not imagine choosing just one in each category. I think that says so much about the strength of the nominations.”
How nominees are selected and evaluated
The Luminary Awards were first launched in 2025 to recognize and celebrate the achievements of local women in business who inspire and shape the community. The 60 women were nominated across seven categories — Trailblazer (entrepreneur), Emerging Entrepreneur, Legacy, Barrier Buster, One to Watch (employee), Community Catalyst, and Building Belonging — with the latter two categories added for 2026.
“These categories are not based on the best female accountants, the best retailer of the year,” says Luminary Awards co-founder Karen August, referring to examples of traditional business award categories. “They are grounded in the ways that women show up and the way that they work together.”
“We know women inspire, uplift, mentor, shatter glass ceilings, and lead quietly from behind the scenes. We are inviting, with this process, everybody to step into the moment to shine.”
Each of the 60 women was nominated by their peers (the Barrier Buster category allowed self-nominations) and were then contacted by the awards committee to consent to having their name put forward. Those who met the outlined criteria were invited to complete a detailed nomination that gave them full rein to tell their story by responding to category-specific questions.
The detailed nominations were then given to each of the judges so they could score the nominees on their own before coming together as a panel to discuss their individual recommendations and reach a consensus on one winner for each category.
August says fairness and inclusivity were not an afterthought but “baked in” to the design of the awards, with nominees measured against “clear, consistent” criteria.
“They talk about what resonated, what felt compelling, what aligned with the spirit of the award, and they were all working from that same scorecard,” says August of the judges.
“It’s very structured because the women who were nominated are trusting us with their stories and, in some cases, they share very personal journeys, vulnerabilities, and achievements that deserve to be treated with integrity from the beginning.”
The decision by the judges on which of the 60 nominees will receive the seven awards will be unveiled during a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 in the Great Hall at Champlain College at Trent University — an event that sold out weeks ago.
Why being nominated is an honour on its own
For some of the women in the running, just being nominated is an honour on its own.
That includes Erin Shannon, an Emerging Entrepreneur nominee and the owner of Kawartha Apparel, who says she teared up when she first learned of her nomination. Her lake apparel brand, which will soon be dropping spring and summer collections, has grown substantially in two years and has evolved to regularly work with other small businesses to deliver custom merchandise.
“There are some real powerhouse women in that group,” Shannon says of the other nominees. “To be included with them, knowing that my peers recognized my efforts and that someone thought to nominate me, is just such an honour.”
As marketing and communications manager with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), Amanda Bedford shares a similar sentiment, noting that she “wasn’t expecting” her nomination in the One to Watch category.
“I care a lot about the work that I do so it’s of course very validating, and feels nice to be recognized,” she says. “There’s lots of amazing women in the community who have been nominated and I think everyone deserves to give themselves a huge pat on the back.”
As someone nominated in a category that celebrates those at the beginning of their career, Bedford discourages young people from thinking they can’t make a difference.
“If you are doing work that is a little bit more behind the scenes, that work is still important and it still deserves to be recognized,” she says. “Even when you may not see the results right away or when you’re making these small changes, they do add up over time so it’s worth it to keep going.”
Both in her work at the DBIA and as a volunteer with the arts group First Friday Peterborough, Bedford says the nomination gives her a “fuller sense of purpose.”
“When I was trying to figure out where my career was going, I was always drawn to the idea of doing work that had a purpose or felt a little more fulfilling — that you’re doing something for a good cause or for your community,” she says, noting she works with a “great” team at both the DBIA and First Friday Peterborough.
“Everything’s about teamwork, especially working with limited resources. We do with a lot with other local organizations and businesses, so every connection is important and meaningful.”
Nominees are a ‘seriously powerful snapshot of the movers and shakers in Peterborough’
OPSEU Local 351 president Marcia Steeves, the reward is a reminder that people see and appreciate her advocacy in her community. Representing support staff at Fleming College and also president of the Peterborough and District Labour Council, Steeves is nominated as a Community Catalyst, one of the two new awards for 2026.
“I grew up in a family where you give back to your community — it’s just something you do, not necessarily for recognition,” she says of her nomination. “It’s good not because I’m personally receiving recognition, but it reflects more that this work matters in the community and that being a labour activist is important work that is being recognized by others in the community.”
As for Shannon, she attributes some of her success at Kawartha Apparel to the support from other entrepreneurs in the community around her.
“Part of our success is just the way this community gets together, collaborates, and supports each other,” she says. “I think it sets Peterborough and the Kawarthas apart.”
For women who are dreaming about starting their own business, like Shannon was just a few years ago, she has one piece of advice: take the jump.
“You have to go through it to get through it — there’s no other way and you learn as you go,” she says. “In talking with other entrepreneurs, the business you conceive and start with isn’t the business you end up with. It kind of becomes its own thing and it steers you where it’s going to go. I never intended to start doing merch for other businesses when I started Kawartha Apparel. That wasn’t even a thought in my mind, and now it’s become a major part of the business.”
For Tori Silvera, who was nominated for a Barrier Buster award, the advice she would give is, “You don’t have to blend in to belong.”
“If the way things have always been done feels wrong to you, do it differently,” she says. “Breaking barriers isn’t always a grand culture shift; sometimes it’s just quietly building an organization that actually cares about people. Thousands of people find success every day with far less grit and compassion than the women on this Luminary Awards list, so why not you?”
Silvera is a co-owner and general manager of Wild Rock Outfitters, a Peterborough retailer for outdoor adventure which is often a male-dominated space.
“For a long time, finding success has been seen as a calculated, competitive process carried out by men in suits,” Silvera says. “We’re still rewriting the rules, and having an award stream for women reinforces that leading with your heart and prioritizing your community can support strong organizations. It tells women that they don’t have to change who they are to get a seat at the table, or to get rid of the table altogether.”
While she says “none of us break those barriers alone,” crediting many mentors, friends, and family members who have pushed (“or dragged”) her to where she is now, she also sees the Luminary Awards as an opportunity for women to take a moment to celebrate achievements when typically women “credit luck and community for their big wins.”
“While gratitude and modesty require a deep strength of character, that deference means that awards like this are crucial for recognizing the amazing work that women in our community are doing,” Silvera says. “The list of nominees represents a seriously powerful snapshot of the movers and shakers in Peterborough. I’m very proud to have my name on that list alongside them.”
As for Sullivan, she hopes the list of strong candidates will help inspire the next generation of Peterborough’s women in business and future Luminary Award winners.
“I would encourage everyone to reach out and to ask for help and to ask people for coffee or to lunch so that our entrepreneurship community in Peterborough can thrive and our judging panel next year has an even harder time,” Sullivan says.
Nominees for the 2026 Luminary Awards
The names of the nominees for the 2026 awards in each category are listed below in alphabetical order by surname.
Barrier Buster – Employee
Celebrating the achievements of a remarkable woman who has excelled in her field/place of employment, embraced new ideas, technologies or ways of working, and demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and perseverance when faced with adversity.
- Jane Bischoff
- Kayley Duggan
- Ashley Flynn
- Marsha Gaulton
- Jordan Lyall
- Nour Mazloum
- Bridget McCluckie
- Tori Silvera
- Stephanie Wilson
Community Catalyst
Celebrating a woman whose leadership, collaboration, and vision have sparked positive change in the community. A Community Catalyst brings people together, builds partnerships, and drives meaningful progress on local priorities. Nominees can be paid staff or volunteers of a not-for-profit organization, or be an employee or owner of a business or enterprise.
- Chelsey Carberry
- Ashley Collins
- Emma Featherstone
- Michelle Ferreri
- Sheridan Graham
- Betty Halman-Plumley
- Dana Hetherton
- Tonya Kraan
- Nour Mazloum
- Kat McCartie
- Amy Muir
- Rebecca O’Rourke
- Marcia Steeves
- Meryn Steeves
- Rosalea Terry
- Lois Tuffin
- Ashley Woollacott
- Susan Zambonin
- Abby Zotz
One to Watch – Employee
Future leader known for innovative, meaningful contributions to their workplace, proven professional success, and outstanding potential for the future. Nominee may hold entry- to mid-level management positions in their workplace.
- Allison Adam
- Bethan Bates
- Amanda Bedford
- Lindsey Brodie
- Michelle Nguyen
- Rosalea Terry
Building Belonging
Celebrating a woman whose inclusive leadership and equity-driven innovation have reshaped how business is done—demonstrating that building for belonging is not just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage. Nominees may focus on workplace culture, employee experience, and/or customer-facing innovation.
- Mackenzie Annis
- Marsha Gaulton
- Akshana Katoch
- Jennifer Lawson
- Peggy Shaughnessy
- Danielle Turpin
- Patricia Wilson
Trailblazer – Entrepreneur
Celebrating a business owner who has created innovation and success through her leadership, vision, courage, and commitment.
- Winter Barringer
- Kinjal Shukla Clement
- Lisa Couture
- Leanne Crump
- Ashley Flynn
- Marsha Gaulton
- Richa Grover
- Catherine Hanrahan
- Tracy Minnema
- Rebecca O’Rourke
- Danielle Turpin
Emerging Entrepreneur
A business owner engaged in a new, successful, innovative, and inspiring business venture that shows outstanding potential for the future. Nominee must have been in business for a minimum of two years and no more than five years.
- Kara Ainsworth
- Ashley Flynn
- Marsha Gaulton
- Chasley Keepfer
- Karen Kerr
- Erin Shannon
- Elena Thomas
- Ashley Woollacott
Legacy
She has spent her successful business career inspiring others and giving back to her community. She strives for business excellence, and through realizing her vision, the nominee has provided opportunities for others for employment, growth, and philanthropy.
- Judy Byrne
- Monika Carmichael
- Betty Halman-Plumley
- Dr. Kristy Hiltz
- Vanessa Oake Hogan
- Dr. Jenny Ingram
- Jenni Johnston
- Cathy Olley
- Anne Ryan
- Susan Tung
- Wendy Kelly
kawarthaNOW is proud to be the presenting media sponsor of the Luminary Awards.
