Envision a vibrant Peterborough and the Kawarthas in the year 2050. What does it look like?
That was the assignment local business and community leaders were given at the fifth annual Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) Leadership in Sustainability Celebration on June 11.
The ideas were inspiring: a well-connected and efficient multi-modal transportation network, rooftop and food gardens, bustling markets without an empty storefront in sight, forested green communities, inclusive services, social spaces and social support, and an active, circular economy connecting businesses, residents, and neighbourhoods.
Held at the McDonnel Street Community Centre and hosted by GreenUP’s GEP program, the evening brought together a local network of entrepreneurs, small business owners, non-profit groups, and municipal leaders to celebrate five years of working towards a more resilient, dynamic, low-carbon economy.
The evening’s theme, “Let’s do things a little differently,” was both a nod to the network’s founding spirit and a recognition that relationships — a superpower of the local economy — can activate and reinforce a vibrant and resilient economic future.
“In a place like Peterborough where community really matters, sustainability just makes sense,” said Brenda Whitehead, president and CEO of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce during her opening remarks. “It’s about making thoughtful choices, reducing waste, using resources wisely, and thinking long-term.”
“For small businesses, even modest changes can generate meaningful returns: cost savings, employee engagement, and deeper customer loyalty,” Whitehead added. “If everyone was doing it, there would be a lovely ripple effect that would strengthen our whole region.”
Keynote speaker Rudy Massimo, leadership consultant with Rudy Massimo and Associates, reinforced that message with a case for steady, principled commitment over quick wins.
“Resilience in business isn’t about having all the answers, but rather about having confidence, focus, and commitment, especially during uncertain times,” he said.
The event also celebrated the efforts of attendees. Numerous GEP members were recognized as sustainability catalysts for their actions throughout the year — businesses that consistently showed up, shared their experience and expertise, and helped advance environmental sustainability across the local business community.
Among them was Engage Engineering, a downtown Peterborough firm and one of the evening’s sponsors.
“For us, operating in Peterborough is a natural fit because of the quality of life and sense of community,” said owner Paul Healy. “We always leave (the annual GEP celebration) inspired and energized to find new ways to bring responsible practices into our workplace.”
New members, Millbrook’s 4th Line Theatre and Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8), were both welcomed and recognized for their work to support sustainable tourism in the region.
For Hillary Flood, manager of research and special projects at RTO8, joining the network means tapping into something that provides coaching and support not otherwise available to small businesses.
“(The GEP team) excels at building momentum and enthusiasm for conscientious businesses, and gets folks who may have never dipped their toes into this world to think about their operations and how they might make small changes with large, bold impacts,” she said.
As the network was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the inaugural celebration was held online. Five years later, the June 11 in-person gathering honoured GEP’s founding members including Camp Kawartha, Wild Rock Outfitters, Cambium Consulting & Engineering, Peterborough Golf and Country Club, Unity Design Studio, the City of Peterborough, and Peterborough County.
With a shared vision and members recognized, the Leadership in Sustainability Celebration offered a renewed sense of momentum and a reminder that meaningful change is amplified by moving forward together, a sentiment Zaleekhah Boachie shares.
Boachie works with Certified B Corporation and active GEP member Sullivan Law. Learning through the network, she said, has been a great way to involve the firm in taking responsible environmental action for the benefit of the wider community.
Though much has been accomplished over the network’s first five years, the visioning exercise at the beginning of the evening laid the groundwork for the future.
The celebration highlighted that building a more resilient local economy doesn’t happen through one bold idea or one organization alone. It happens when businesses learn from one another, share their stories, invest in their communities, and take meaningful steps forward — together.
GEP 2026 Leadership in Sustainability Celebration was made possible through the generous support from sponsors including Engage Engineering, Cambium Consulting & Engineering, Sullivan Law, the RBC Foundation, and TD.
GreenUP’s GEP program is a network that supports local businesses in sustainable practices. To learn more and sign up for the GEP newsletter, visit www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.
