Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) hosted a celebratory yet bittersweet induction ceremony for the 11th annual JA Business Hall of Fame on Thursday night (June 4) at The Venue in downtown Peterborough, which was attended by business leaders, community supporters, educators, students, families, and alumni.
The nine Peterborough business leaders announced as inductees back in January — Brenda Ibey of Avant Garden Shop, Chuck White of Rapid Lift Inc., Dave Bucholtz and Jim Bailey of Cambium Inc., Jason and Niki Pulchinski of At the Lake Distributing Inc., Martha Sullivan of Sullivan Law PTBO, Peter Blodgett of Darling Insurance, and Vance Robbins of Anden Kitchen & Bath Centre — were celebrated for their professional achievements, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to community as they were formally inducted.
The bittersweet portion of the ceremony was a tribute to the late John McNutt, the longtime CEO and president of JA-NEO and executive director of the Council for Persons with Disabilities, along with his wife of 47 years Sheryl Hopkins. McNutt unexpectedly passed away on April 17 at the age of 76, while he was still leading the organization.
“John’s impact on our organization, our communities, and the countless individuals he supported over his lifetime is immeasurable,” JA-NEO wrote in a statement following McNutt’s passing. “For more than two decades, John led (JA-NEO) with vision, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the potential of young people. Under his leadership, JA-NEO grew into a leading force in youth education — empowering students through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness programs across northern and eastern Ontario.”
“John’s legacy extends far beyond JA. From his early days providing frontline healthcare in Bridgenorth, to advancing community economic development through initiatives like Kawartha Choice and Kawartha FEST, to creating pathways for individuals facing barriers through the Lighthouse Learning Centre — his life’s work was rooted in building stronger, more inclusive communities.”
“A passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, John also served as the executive director of the Council for Persons with Disabilities and as past Chair of Heads Up for Inclusion, working tirelessly to remove barriers and create opportunity for all. John was a community builder in every sense — bringing together partners across education, business, government, and community to create lasting impact. His leadership, generosity, and commitment to service will continue to inspire us all.”
Recognizing that McNutt and Hopkins together “built a legacy defined by compassion, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, and community leadership,” the JA-NEO board of directors announced the couple would also be inducted into the JA Business Hall of Fame.
“Their dedication to serving others and creating opportunities for future generations continues to inspire communities across the region,” reads a media release from JA-NEO.
During Thursday night’s event, guests heard stories about business success as well as perseverance, innovation, family, mentorship, and giving back to the community. Many students and young alumni at the event heard directly from the inductees, reinforcing both JA-NEO’s mission to empower young people with the confidence and skills needed for success and the event’s tradition of connecting youth with real stories from leaders in their own community.
“This event has always been about more than business,” said JA-NEO interim president and CEO Cody McIntyre. “It is about showing young people what is possible when passion, integrity, and community come together.”
“Every inductee honoured this evening represents a different path to success, and those stories matter deeply to the next generation. JA-NEO extends its sincere gratitude to the event investors, volunteers, supporters, and attendees whose continued commitment helps make youth programming possible across the region.”
Along with honouring business leaders in the community whose contributions extend far beyond the workplace, the JA Business Hall of Fame is one of the organization’s signature fundraising events, with proceeds supporting hands-on learning opportunities for young people in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness.
