Suzanne Cody and Gwyneth James of Cody & James CPAs, a full-service accounting firm located at 260 Milroy Drive in Peterborough. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
For Suzanne Cody and Gwyneth James, it’s all about stress relief — not theirs; yours!
The high-powered pair of accountants is perfectly poised to ensure the client is ahead of the curve not just by offering a full suite of services — everything from financial statements, personal and corporate tax returns, and payroll to bookkeeping — but also by offering those services in a language the average person can easily understand.
“Meeting deadlines, staying on top of government and institutional deadlines, assisting clients in growing their business, even getting their business in shape for retirement: these are all things we do, regularly,” Suzanne says. “Beyond that, though, Gwyneth and I are really trend breakers.”
Suzanne Cody and Gwyneth James with some of their team at Cody & James CPAs, a full-service accounting firm for individuals and all sizes of businesses. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
A lot of the businesses Cody & James CPAs help are in growth stages and it’s important that the owners understand the details, Suzanne says.
“Translating financial details into language that is useful to our clients, whether they are business owners, professionals, retirees, or people who want a professional accurate tax return filed,” she adds. “That’s what sets us apart from other firms.”
Cody & James CPAs is the accounting firm that came into being in 2013 after Suzanne bought half of Gwyneth’s business. Gwyneth had grown her firm to the point that she needed help. Suzanne came on for a year under contract, until it was evident that the pair complemented one another well and created an undeniably effective synergy.
“It’s like getting married,” Gwyneth explains. “You gotta get it right. Business divorce is every bit as painful as personal divorce. Suzanne and I do get along and we are friends, but more importantly we bring different skill sets to the table. She’s more detail oriented than I am; I handle the creative marketing elements. We are true business partners.”
Suzanne Cody has been in the accounting profession for more than 20 years, working for more than 10 years in a corporate setting as a financial analyst and liaison from the IT department. In addition to being a CPA, she has a diploma in Computer Programming and System Analysis which gives her a unique blend of financial knowledge and technical savvy. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
Suzanne moved from Toronto to the area in 2005 after making it her preferred holiday location from early childhood. She has had a family presence in the area since 1973.
“The beautiful scenery and the neighbourly people are why I chose this area,” she says.
She has been in the accounting profession for more than 20 years, working for more than 10 years in a corporate setting as a financial analyst and liaison from the IT department. In addition to being a CPA, she has a diploma in Computer Programming and System Analysis which gives her a unique blend of financial knowledge and technical savvy.
In her spare time, Suzanne is a hockey mom and donates time as a team manager and treasurer.
Gwyneth came to to Peterborough in 1997 after moving around a little — Victoria, BC was home — and she was ready to settle with her two young boys.
She worked for more than a decade for Nexicom as their Controller before starting a consulting business and taking Nexicom along as her first client. In 2009, she bought an accounting firm and her business took off quickly with a second block of clients acquired three years later.
Gwyneth James worked for Nexicom before starting her own consulting business. She then bought an accounting firm, which quickly grew and became so busy she needed a partner, and she and Suzanne Cody formed Cody & James CPAs in 2013. Gwyneth also gives back to the community by serving on Boards of Directors in both economic and social service organizations. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
Yet it’s not just about the numbers for Gwyneth; it’s about community.
“Peterborough had offered me so much,” she says. “When you first arrive in a place, you feel completely lost and you’re scrambling, especially with little children, to know what services are available and find some extra help. You feel like you’re constantly taking.”
Once the children were a little more independent, Gwyneth says she wanted to give back.
Which she did and still does in the form of working with not-for-profits and volunteering. Over the years she has served on many Boards of Directors in both economic and social service oriented organizations.
And she loves dealing with new entrepreneurs.
“They are pioneers,” Gwyneth says. “That’s what keeps it fresh for me. Knowing that I have helped some local people realize their dreams and that those new businesses will potentially result in more employees and a better economy for Peterborough.”
She sees her job as helping an entrepreneur understand the potential cost of their dream and to help them temper their enthusiasm, but also to see the million-dollar business that it could become.
“You really need to have solid accounting from the start.”
“I’m an entrepreneur at my core,” Gwyneth says, adding that she hadn’t always wanted to be an accountant. “I had fought against becoming an accountant in my youth. My dad was an accountant, but I always thought I’d go into medicine.”
You might even call Gwyneth and Suzanne physicians of business: they help keep local businesses healthy and thriving.
With their continued success, Cody & James CPAs recently moved into their own building on 260 Milroy Drive in the northwest end of Peterborough. (Supplied photo)
And when Gwyneth’s not administering to the business community, she doctors her gardens, preferring the broad swatches of colour to the black and white she sees at work.
She loves to see her clients’ companies grow like her gardens.
“That’s where we really shine,” she says. “We will take all your accounting needs off your hands so you can focus on what you do best.”
You can also follow Gwyneth on Twitter at @ghj_cpa and connect with her on LinkedIn. You can follow Suzanne on Twitter at @scodycpa and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Betty Johnson, a realtor with RE/MAX Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage in Peterborough, is a lifetime resident of Peterborough and brings a wealth of experience in both real estate and the financial industry with more than 30 years experience in mortgage underwriting. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
This year’s bull-like housing market has given long-time local realtor Betty Johnson cause to reflect on her three decades in real estate and the mortgage industry.
“This year’s been stressful for all of us in the industry in this area,” she says. “It’s starting to slow down, but we still have an influx of Oshawa and Toronto agents coming this way.”
The realtors, she says, are snapping up good deals for GTA clients, leaving little left for locals.
It means realtors in the Kawarthas have had to fight hard for buying clients over the past 12 to 18 months, Betty says. Houses are listed higher than anyone imagined, and then sold even higher than the listing price.
For Betty, who is in the business because she loves people, it was heartbreaking to see our local first-time home buyers pushed right out of the market.
“I don’t like to see that,” she says. “I dislike seeing people taken advantage of or not given a fair chance.”
Betty was in the banking industry for 24 years primarily doing mortgages for clients. Her work necessitated working with realtors, and her curiosity about real estate led her to get her license. At the time, as a single working mother, Betty had to take the courses at night school.
That was in 1988. She held onto her license — an ace in her pocket — while she continued banking, and then worked as a mortgage underwriter until her two children were done school.
“Once they were through university, I thought it was time to try something different,” she says. “I had no idea if I’d be good at it, but I thought, ‘If I fall flat on my back I could always go back to banking.'”
By 2002, Betty had turned her focus to real estate, testing the waters with a variety of local companies until she landed with Century 21 where she was top of the pack for three years. In November of 2011, she moved to RE/MAX Eastern Realty’s Peterborough office, where she’s been ever since.
Whether you’re buying or selling a home in the Peterborough area, Betty Johnson’s website at www.bettysellshomes.com is a great resource. It features advanced property searches, a map-based search tool, a virtual “home hunter”, information about the Peterborough area, and resources for both buyers and sellers.
The ace in Betty’s pocket now is the mortgage underwriting business, which she has also kept alive as a side business.
On the Sunday we spoke with her, Betty had hoped for a day off, but already had six calls by 10 a.m. While she enjoys her work, at 61, she also wants to spend time with her grandchildren.
“This was a year of reflection for me, for sure,” she says. “I’ve looked at what I like, what I’m good at, and what I avoid.
“One thing I dislike is spending any more time on a computer than I have to,” she laughs.
She’s tried the team approach to real estate — having employed two administrative assistants and a buyer’s agent at one time — but says she didn’t enjoy the additional demands involved in being an employer.
“I like to talk and sell and be around people and be on the go” she says. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Betty says she’s “old school.” She likes to match a buyer with the perfect house, not the most expensive one, and definitely not one the couple can’t afford even if they like it best.
“I’d rather show them 20 houses than do a slam-dunk on the first one,” she says. “There are a lot of realtors who may not spend as much time. I joke with my husband that I probably spend more time talking clients out of houses that are not good investments for them, than I do on an actual sale.
“If it takes me an extra 20 houses to show them to get the right one, then I do it. It’s the right thing.”
Betty Johnson has built a reputation in the real estate industry for her honest and hard-working professionalism. Her focus is on people, and she likes to match a buyer with the perfect house, not the most expensive one. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks)
Betty’s not shy about saying she very much dislikes the way the market has been in Peterborough and, while it has slowed, she knows there is more to come.
“Baby boomers are retiring and selling their homes for 700 thousand or a million in Whitby or Toronto, and then moving here and snapping up something for half that, and putting the rest in the bank.”
This means that young people, including her own children, are facing a tough go as first-time home buyers.
“Unless the parents are going to give these kids some money, it’s going to be really hard.”
Some of the other challenges in the industry involve new marketing trends for real estate. Although she’s active on social media, Betty says she prefers to depend on her reputation and word-of-mouth referrals rather than digital marketing.
All her reflection this year has led Betty to a couple of realizations.
“I’d be bored out of my tree if I retired,” she laughs. However, she is restructuring her mortgage business, knowing that one day she may want a change.
She will always be the business woman with an ace in her back pocket.
You can contact Betty Johnson at RE/MAX Eastern Realty Inc., Brokerage (91 George Street North in Peterborough) by phone at 705-743-9111, toll free at 1-800-567-4546 or by email at betty@bettysellshomes.net. Visit her website at www.bettysellshomes.net or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Members of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough, including Catherine Dewar (Investors Group Financial Services Inc.), Karen August (Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce), and Carrie Wakeford (Black Cap Design), explain what the networking organization means to them. (Photo: WBN)
There are many reasons to join the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN). In fact, there are at least as many reasons as there are members, with membership reaching up to 179 women during the year.
Here is what just a few members have to say about WBN — what they love about the organization and what it does for them and for their businesses:
“I walk away from every meeting with more knowledge, more strength and more respect for the women in our community.” – Danielle McIver, Vet Visionaries. (Photo: WBN)
“When we joined the WBN, we assumed it would make a good impact professionally for our veterinary practices, and indeed, it did. We’ve continued relationships with some loyal and amazing clients in this organization, and also gained new clientele through the WBN members and their referrals.
But what I didn’t really expect was how inspiring getting to know these amazing and unique woman would be to me personally. I walk away from every meeting with more knowledge, more strength, and more respect for the women in our community.”
“Operating a home-based business can be very isolating … I have met several women whom I now consider friends, plus many more who are beyond acquaintances.” – Marilyn Cassidy, Speakers Group Inc. (Photo: Samantha Moss / MossWorks Photography)
“Operating a home-based business can be very isolating. In 2009, I decided to join WBN to meet people in my own community. Since then, I have met several women whom I now consider friends, plus many more who are beyond acquaintances.
Participating on the Board for two years, on the program committee and as a member of the WBN Book Club have all enhanced the experience.”
“Joining the WBN literally opened up a world of opportunities for me. I was new to Peterborough and was trying to build my career with Investors Group, so being part of a strong membership of 150 diverse women seemed like a natural fit for my both my business development and for the new friendships that have grown over the years. Love the new format of member facilitators at the table!”
“Learning, laughing, connecting. There are so many reasons people join the WBN. For some, it is business development, and, for others, it is personal development, not to mention members seeking a fun evening out with peers.
I have been a WBN member for six years and a board member for two years, and I must say I can’t imagine my personal or my professional life without Wednesday nights at the WBN.”
“As a member of the WBN since 1979 (then Women’s Advertising and Sales Association), I am now an honourary member and look forward to networking with the great variety of businesswomen, sometimes advising on business locations, financing and my experiences.
We have grown from just a few women who dare to be in business to the economic engine of today. The organization has given me confidence in public speaking, confidence in starting conversation and handing out cards, and a general social education. My motto is ‘life is there for the taking’.”
“Being new to the WBN and, not knowing what to expect, it has been a great experience. Many talented and diverse women and remarkable speakers who inspire and energize you to reach your goals, whatever they may be.”
“I’m probably one of the lesser-known WBN members and that’s okay because I’m most comfortable leading from the back. Working in the federal public sector, I joined the WBN because my employer has a mandate of regional economic development. I’m listening to the challenges that local women entrepreneurs face, watching their successes and seeking every opportunity to share this information into the machine of government.
I’m also here to learn from the amazing speakers to get exposure to current business trends and hopefully, one day, launch my own business.”
“The WBN exemplifies what a great support network should be; a positive, affirming safe space to grow and learn both personally and professionally. The Peterborough Chamber of Commerce is a proud partner through our Lunch Box Learning program and it’s always great to see that we share a lot of members who see value in both of our organizations.”
“We are fortunate to have an organization like the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough who encourage women to grow both personally and professionally. With two types of memberships available, single or corporate, Cherney Properties prefers the flexibility of a corporate membership which allows any of our female employees the opportunity to attend the monthly meetings and be inspired not only by amazing guest speakers, but also a terrific group of diverse women from our business community.”
Whether you're a young entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, the Women's Business Network of Peterborough provides many opportunities for networking, business promotion and exposure, and professional growth, support and mentorship. (Photo: WBN)
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) is a resource for women to make valuable contacts, promote their business, and develop lasting relationships with other local women in business.
There are many ways to get involved. As with any networking group, the more you use the opportunities, the more you gain in exposure and connections. Here are some of the opportunities WBN offers its members throughout the entire year:
Promote your business
Host a Business Spotlight event
Hosting a Business Spotlight, like this one at Kawartha Lakes Construction, is a fun and casual way to introduce fellow members to your business. (Photo: WBN)
Hosted at members’ places of business, the Spotlight event introduces fellow members to businesses in the Kawarthas, to raise awareness and gain new customers.
Upcoming Business Spotlight events in the fall of 2017 include: Thirteen Moons Wellness on Wednesday, September 20th; Isagenix and Active Chiropractic and Wellness Centre on Wednesday, October 18th; Showplace Performance Centre on Wednesday, November 15th; and Avant-Garden Shop on Wednesday, December 13th.
Members can showcase their products and services with an exhibitor table at meetings for $20. Tables are booked on a first-come, first-served basis for members only.
At WBN meetings, members can book promotional booths in the networking area in advance of dinner. Booths can be booked for any month simply by visiting the WBN website. (Photo: WBN)
Advertise in WBN’s monthly newsletter
WBN’s monthly newsletter offers an inexpensive and effective way to promote your business.
A variety of advertising opportunities are available in the WBN e-newsletter and e-blasts sent to hundreds of businesses in our community.
Promote your business activities in free WBN newsletter announcements
Keep the membership informed about your business in the Member News and Community Events sections of the WBN newsletter.
The types of information you can share include notices, changes, additions, updates, new products and services, special events, fundraisers, member to member discounts, and celebrations.
“Twoonie Testimonials” at member meetings
“Twoonie Testimonials” gives WBN members one minute to endorse another member’s business during member meetings.
At a cost of two dollars, members’ business cards will be randomly drawn from the ballot box and they will be called to the podium to speak for one minute about their experience supporting another member’s business.
5 Business Tips for 5 Minutes for $15
This is an opportunity at each member meeting to promote your business from the podium, while also promoting the meeting theme of the evening.
The concept: a member can share five business tips that are important to her and her business and that relate to the evening’s theme, in five minutes, for $15!
Write a feature article for the WBN website blog and newsletter
By writing a feature article for the WBN website blog and newsletter, you can educate and inform the membership about your expertise in your industry.
Attend the WBN monthly meeting with social hour and dinner
WBN meetings allow you to connect with different women each month at your dinner table. The WBN facilitator at the table will lead the discussion and ensure everyone has an opportunity to introduce themselves. (Photo: WBN)
Every month from September to June, WBN hosts a member meeting on a Wednesday night, usually at the Holiday Inn Waterfront in downtown Peterborough.
The evening begins with a networking hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a engaging and inspiring guest speaker at 7:30 p.m.
If you’re not a WBN member and want to experience a member meeting, you can attend as a guest.
Access to WBN’s full membership directory
As a WBN member, you have access to the complete membership list, including member contact information and headshots.
It’s a great way to become familiar with other members and to develop new networking and business opportunities.
Community involvement through charitable activities and donations
WBN is a proud supporter of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Crossroads Shelter. Here YWCA Peterborough Haliburton Executive Director Lynn Zimmer (left) and Special Events Coordinator Nicole Pare (right) accept a $21,019.75 cheque from WBN Program Directors Sana Virji and Louise Racine, raised by members during WBN’s annual fundraising Holiday Gala and Auction. (Photo: WBN)
The WBN is a proud supporter of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s Crossroads Shelter, a temporary home where women and children can escape domestic violence and rebuild their lives. WBN has been supporting the Crossroads Shelter since 1983 and, every December, holds a fundraising Holiday Gala and Auction.
As well as WBN’s support of the Crossroads Shelter, many WBN members are involved in individual community and fundraising activities throughout the year.
Grow professionally
See top keynote speakers each month at member meetings
WBN member meetings feature high-calibre keynote speakers. There are also many opportunities throughout the year to learn, engage and promote at WBN trade shows and booths. (Photo: WBN)
WBN hosts engaging, inspiring and educational keynote speakers at its member meetings every month from September to June.
Last year’s speakers included Barb Stegemann, Ann Douglas, Linda Kash, three local politicans (MP Maryam Monsef, Mayor Mary Smith, and Councillor Diane Therrien), Michele Bailey, Karen Schulman Dupuis, and three young entrepreneurs (Sana Virji, Brooke Hammer, and Jane Zima).
Guest speakers for 2017-18 include Denise Donlon (September 6th), Leslie Bradford-Scott (October 4th), Laila Ghattas (November 1st), Victoria Lennox (February 7th), and Tessa Smith and Faith Dickinson (April 4th), with more speakers to be announced soon.
Attend Lunch Box Learning workshops at the Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly Lunch Box Learning seminars in the Chamber’s boardroom. This noon-hour series is free for Chamber members and WBN members interested in professional development and connecting with fellow members.
You are invited to bring your lunch along with you, and have the opportunity to listen to a short presentation, followed by a Q&A session.
Susan Dunkley (right) is a long-time member of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough and often called upon to lead (and emcee) the organization's fundraising events. Here she is with WBN member and co-emcee Meghan Moloney at the network's Christmas Gala, an annual event that raises funds for YWCA Crossroads Shelter. (Photo: WBN)
Susan Dunkley thinks back fondly to the first fundraiser she helped organize for the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN): a charity fashion show at the Holiday Inn to benefit YWCA Crossroads Shelter.
The main motivation behind the charity event was to raise awareness and to support local women and children affected by domestic violence. It was also the start of a lengthy partnership between the two community-based, non-profit service organizations.
“At that time, we weren’t giving money to the YWCA directly,” Susan recalls. “We were raising funds for children’s playground equipment — sandboxes and slides — for two emergency houses the YWCA was running back then.”
Susan, who is no stranger to hard work, donned many hats that evening to fill multiple volunteer roles — she was master of ceremonies and modelled 1990s-inspired apparel in the fashion show. She also rolled up her sleeves in the hotel kitchen working as the chief cook and eventually ended the night washing bottles.
“I did it all,” she laughs.
That was 25 years ago.
WBN members often organize teams to support community fundraising events, such as the WBN Under the Lock Sledge Hockey Team to support the Kawartha Blazers. (Photo: WBN)
Fast forward to the present, it’s no exaggeration to say that Susan, who is also Manager of Development and Outreach at the Peterborough Humane Society, is one of WBN’s most enthusiastic volunteers. Most of her career has been spent facilitating volunteer projects in various capacities and seeking out volunteer opportunities that are team based. In 2015, she was the recipient of the civic award for Cultural Betterment in Peterborough.
Having been with WBN for 30 years, you can be sure to spot her at the group’s monthly member meetings, using her philanthropic passion and enthusiasm to solicit donations and recruit fellow members to join her fundraising efforts.
The teams she has organized over the decades in the name of some greater good are extensive and nothing short of impressive, including entering a team for the Pulling for Dementia Fire Truck Pull in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society, the Under the Lock sledge hockey tournament to support the Kawartha Blazers, and Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build which sheds light on the nation’s affordable housing crisis.
WBN member Susan Dunkley organized the inaugural “Pulling for Dementia” fire truck pull in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society in 2015 when she worked for the organization. If a WBN member is involved in a good cause, you will often see a WBN team there to support the event. (Photo: WBN)
The list goes on and on.
The last few years, she’s also made a name for herself as the straight-shooting auctioneer at WBN’s Holiday Gala Live and Silent Auction — certainly not the hundred-miles-a-minute version that presides over a cattle pen, but quick enough to find the heavy hitters for donations.
Susan is an extraordinary role model for volunteerism, and she’s in very good company with other WBN businesswomen who offer their generous spirit and willingness to lend their time and resources to the individual community and fundraising activities.
WBN president Lorie Gill, who is also heavily involved in charity fundraising, says local outreach has been an essential element of WBN’s culture throughout its history and members “strive to make a positive and lasting difference in our community.”
Susan agrees.
“I find that when we’re all focused on the same goal, we’re a pretty amazing group of women who are unbeatable and can accomplish miracles together.
“There’s power in us joining together, whether it’s four of us building a house for Habitat for Humanity or 20 of us paddling a boat at the Dragon Boat races. I think it’s important as an organization to encourage the fact that we all support charities and are not exclusive.”
Revel in camaraderie
Susan says volunteering on a WBN team gives the women a chance to get to know other members they may not routinely interact with.
And as an added bonus, when members can engage with each other more informally — which is often the case with group volunteer events — they are more likely to develop a stronger camaraderie that can translate into a stronger relationship, both personally and professionally.
“What a wonderful opportunity to laugh with your teammates, learn about one another and your families, and why you’re doing this together. You really connect on a deeper level.”
WBN supports Habitat for Humanity by participating in the charity’s Women Build program, which involves hands-on building as well as fundraising by each WBN member. (Photo: WBN)
Supporting local women
Throughout the year, the WBN is a proud supporter of Trent Business Students’ Association, offering 10 meeting passes a year for female students to attend and experience the organization.
The group also donates a free membership to a woman entrepreneur taking part in the annual Bear’s Lair competition. This year, it was Kelli Coon of Ship Shape Service.
In February, they awarded Tina Bromley, owner of Tiny Greens and winner of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s inaugural “Win This Space” competition, a free membership in WBN.
YWCA Crossroads Shelter partnership
Since 2005, WBN has raised a total of $275,953 for YWCA Crossroads Shelter through their annual fundraising gala and 50/50 draws.
YWCA programs are dramatically underfunded and fundraising only accounts for 28 per cent of its business, explains Jen Cureton, Director of Philanthropy and Communications at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.
She says it’s unthinkable what services the organization would have to cut for women and children if they didn’t have the community support to back them.
“WBN’s support is integral to do our work,” Jen affirms.
WBN supports the YWCA Crossroads Shelter through their annual fundraising gala and 50/50 draws. Last year, WBN members came together to raise $21,019.75 for the shelter — an increase of more than $5,000 from the previous year. Pictured are YWCA Executive Director Lynn Zimmer (left) and Special Events Coordinator Nicole Pare (right) accepting the cheque from WBN Program Directors Sana Virji and Louise Racine. (Photo: WBN)
In recent years, the membership has placed personal emphasis on supporting YWCA’s Nutritional Well-Being program which provides healthy food, supplements, and vitamins to women and their children 365 days a year. The program also helps families learn about meal planning, food preparation, and principles of nutrition.
Thanks to WBN support, last year YWCA prepared and served 26,331 meals for women and children living at Crossroads Shelter.
“Women helping make a difference for other women fits with the WBN’s mandate,” Jen says. “It also fits with the idea that the kind of violence we help women and children with doesn’t really happen to the kind of women you stereotypically think — young women or women who got mixed up with the wrong people; it’s also professional women.
“As a group of professional women, the WBN can help break down that stigma a little.”
The Women's Business of Network has made recruiting and retaining younger members a key strategy for the organization, including ensuring more young businesswomen are part of the organization's Board of Directors. Pictured are Paula Kehoe, owner of Red Rock Communications and WBN External Communications Director, and Sana Virji, co-founder of Ribbet and founder of Streets of Canada and WBN Program Director. (Photo: WBN)
Peterborough is brimming with an impressive talent pool of young females who are building their brands from the ground up, moving up the corporate ladder and taking on leadership roles. Millennial women have become a powerful force in today’s competitive business world, representing the best-educated and most ambitious generation of our time.
Last year, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Business Advisory Centre helped 65 female entrepreneurs under the age of 35 develop and launch their businesses, representing a range of industry sectors including health and wellness, agriculture, retail, and the arts. The Innovation Cluster reported that 50 per cent of the innovation and tech companies they work with are led by female entrepreneurs.
Keeping this growing female entrepreneurship trend in mind, the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has made recruiting and retaining younger members a key focus area in their recent five-year strategic plan — a “life insurance policy” of sorts, explains Colleen Carruthers, WBN’s Strategic Planning Director.
“For WBN to be around in the future, a succession strategy is necessary to achieve the long-term goals and ambitions of the organization,” Colleen says.
“The younger generation is our next wave of membership, so it’s important for us to understand what their needs are, what they want out of a professional organization, and to offer programs and benefits with a clear return on investment for them.”
This year, the WBN Board of Directors became a little more diverse, giving three millennials (Sana Virji, Grace Reynolds, and Josée Kiss) a seat at the board table. Colleen points out this is “a first in the history of the board”, but says “it’s essential as having a young perspective will benefit both the organization and its business model.”
Rosalea Terry of the Innovation Cluster, SimbiH2O founder Jane Zima, Ribbet co-founder and current WBN Program Director Sana Virji, Chimp Treats CEO and co-founder Brooke Hammer, and current WBN External Communications Director Paula Kehoe after a panel discussion featuring Jane, Sana, and Brooke at the at the May 3, 2017 WBN meeting. The Innovation Cluster reports that 50 per cent of the innovation and tech companies they work with are led by female entrepreneurs. (Photo: WBN)
For 57 years, the WBN has been investing in high-impact programs that help advance women in business through education, mentorship, networking and access to growth opportunities. The group gives members a space where they can nurture relationships in a way that feels comfortable, a venue where they make the rules, and a private space that inspires them.
For younger members looking for support, they can find mentors and valuable business leads, hear advice from experts, and even make friends. In return, Colleen says, young businesswomen bring with them fresh ideas and viewpoints, a vibrancy and different experiences that their peers can also learn from.
So, who are some of these young women at the forefront of this surge? We’re proud to feature three WBN members who are leading the charge in Peterborough in their respective sectors, and hear in their own words how a WBN membership has benefited them.
Dr. Sarah Wild, Chiropractor, Definitive Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Joined WBN in 2013
Dr. Sarah Wild, Chiropractor, Definitive Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Since earning her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta and chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Sarah Wild has built her career around helping others to become pain free and to live a healthier life through chiropractic care and healthy living habits.
“I strive to empower and educate my patients to take an active role in their health and overall wellbeing, and I have a passion for treating active-minded patients who want to feel good, function well, and be healthy,” she says.
Sarah offers a holistic approach to chiropractic care for her patients — who range from infants to older adults — and has advanced training in the treatment of headaches and jaw pain, as well as pre- and post-natal and pediatric chiropractic.
She says she discovered the profession of chiropractic when she found relief for her chronic headaches, after many years of trying different medications and therapies.
“Having been a patient myself, I can attest to how life changing chiropractic treatment can be.”
Hailing from South Africa and having lived all over Canada, Sarah made Peterborough her home four years ago and started as an associate at Definitive Chiropractic and Wellness Centre. Her patients are certainly pleased with her care — she was recently named the Best Chiropractor in Peterborough in a readers’ poll conducted by the Peterborough Examiner.
When she’s not performing chiropractic care at her clinic, she can be found teaching fitness classes for moms and tots at CrossFit Ptbo, to help new mothers recover from childbirth and regain their strength, posture, and pre-baby body.
On joining WBN
“When I joined, I didn’t really know the Peterborough area. I really wanted to learn from other people in business, and was drawn to being part of a community of inspiring and strong women. It was relativity easy to go into a group like that and find common ground, whether it was about business or family.
“The WBN provides membership at a reasonable rate and it’s not a huge time commitment. In one meeting, you get a power pack of value. I learn something that can move my business forward or helps me with something that I’m going through personally. The monthly meetings are uplifting and a boost for me, setting me forward for the following month.”
Payoff
“I find the business payoff is making solid contacts in the community that I can tap into. For example, if I need a business advisor or a marketing professional, the first place I’m going to look is in the WBN member directory.”
Advice
“I always try to get my business colleagues and friends to come along to a meeting as my guest. If you’re new to town, just join. Where else can you surround yourself with powerful, inspiring local women, and learn from leaders in business every month for a very reasonable price?”
After 15 years of living in the nation’s capital articling and working with some of Ottawa’s well-respected law firms, Martha Sullivan decided to return to her family roots in Peterborough last spring.
Having opened her own practice in April in downtown Peterborough, Martha is a shining example of independence and drive. Now the lead lawyer at Sullivan Law Ptbo, Martha attended the University of Ottawa, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws in 2009; her call to the Bar was the following year.
Martha’s office specializes in real estate, family law and wills and estates. Ensuring that clients feel comfortable and confident throughout their legal matter is the foundation of her client-focused approach to practicing law.
“Getting to do what I am passionate about and serving the Peterborough community is a great privilege,” she says. “Practicing law is a business; however, being a safe-keeper of our client’s trust is great responsibility which I respect deeply.”
Martha’s experience and talents litigating, negotiating and finding creative solutions led to her being empanelled with both the Family Responsibility Office and the Office of the Children’s Lawyer. She’s currently in the process of completing her training to be a certified collaborative family lawyer and mediator.
On joining WBN
“I’ve always been passionate and enjoyed the law; however, the business side of practicing law is something I haven’t had as much experience with. So to have the opportunity to meet other people who have those strengths and talents and to be exposed to that is wonderful.”
Payoff
“Having a membership has helped me feel connected and supported in the business community. For me though, it’s about the bigger picture. Everyone goes to those meetings with enthusiasm about being in business. Sometimes, as small business owners, we get lost in the urgent and sometimes we forget to stop working in our business and start working on our business.
“The WBN meetings are a chance for me to take a step back and see the forest, and not just the trees.”
Advice
“A membership is really what you make of it; the opportunities are there for you to grab onto. It has to be a priority of course not to just go to the meetings, but to go with the right energy and enthusiasm to be able to take in the information that is presented and learn from it.”
For more information about Sullivan Law Ptbo, visit sullivanlawptbo.ca. You can also follow Sullivan Law Ptbo on Facebook or Twitter.
Emily Ferguson, Resource Development Manager, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region
Joined WBN in 2012
Emily Ferguson, Resource Development Manager, Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region
The first time Emily Ferguson had ever swung a hammer was six years ago when she was framing walls for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build project. She was working alongside her Fleming Collage teammates — a group of dedicated volunteers taking part in a blitz build to transform a blank slab into a cozy home.
Today, as resource development manager with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, she spends most of her days overseeing the organization’s Women Build Program and Youth Program, ensuring volunteers are ready to their wield hammers on build sites — not just to build homes, but build hope and a community for a family.
“It’s a very empowering and fulfilling role that I hold near and dear to my heart,” she says.
Emily wears many hats in her role: she manages volunteers and community programs, cultivates new relationships with donors and partners, runs special events, and does several other jobs throughout their community.
The 2017 Women Build campaign launched in July to put a face to the fundraising teams and future home owners. In mid-September, hundreds of volunteers are expected to take part in the build. Ferguson says Women Build is helpful not just for families, but also for the women who volunteer and are passionate about Habitat’s mission.
“These women are community leaders, great fundraisers, compassionate and community-minded.”
On joining WBN
“My job is to get out in the community and meet people, as well as potential donors, partners and sponsors. WBN has made me a better networker and has taken me out of my comfort zone.”
Payoff
“The opportunity to have an exhibitor table has always been beneficial for Habitat. That is when I get to engage with women one-on-one. These days, it’s hard to pick up the phone and make cold calls or send emails and get a response. At the WBN, when you have that hour to do the networking and exhibitor table, you get to put a face to some of the names and then you make an initial connection.
“It’s the assumption that women come here to talk business and grow their own business networks, but I think what gets missed a lot is the charitable work and commitments that a lot of these women do in the community. A number of WBN members each year champion our cause, raise funds, come out on the build site and get their hands dirty to build homes. They are more than fundraisers for us; they are advocates.”
Advice
“It’s an opportunity for both professional and personal growth. I encourage friends who are thinking of stating their own business or doing small-scale professional things to go to a member meeting. It will help with your networking abilities and get your name out there. It might feel intimidating at first, but the group is very welcoming. Eventually you’ll find your place there.”
For more information about Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region and the Women Build program, visit www.habitatpeterborough.ca. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
WBN member and Past President Gwyneth James had a banner year in 2016 as Chair of the United Way Campaign of Peterborough, as well as receiving the Business Woman of The Year Award. She also made time to get remarried in August 2016. (Photo: United Way Peterborough)
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough is comprised of women who are entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, and non-profit executive directors. It should come as no surprise to find out that many members have been recognized as business achievers and community leaders.
To celebrate the achievements of WBN members and their contribution to our communities, we’ve compiled this list of some of the many WBN members who’ve received awards and recognition for the contributions to the community:
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
Judy Heffernan Memorial Award Winners
2016 – Louise Racine – Thirteen Moons Wellness
2015 – Sofie Andreou – Sofie Andreou & Associates
Civic Awards – City of Peterborough
2015 – Susan Dunkley Porter – Cultural Betterment
2001 – Kerri Davies – Cultural Betterment
2000 – Jeannine Taylor – Community Betterment
Premier’s Award Nominees – Nominations by Fleming College
2012 – Kim Appleton
2009 – Kerri Davies, Fleming College Alumnus of Distinction
2003 – Jeannine Taylor
Community Recognition
2017 – Anne Arnold – Canadian Blood Services Recognition (75 blood donations)
WBN Member of the Year Award
Maureen Tavener presents a “keeper version” of the 2017 Member of the Year Award to Louise Racine at the May 2017 WBN meeting. This was the second year in a row that Louise received this award. (Photo: Paula Kehoe / WBN)
May 2017 marked the 35th anniversary of the WBN Member of the Year Award, created by long-time WBN member and Past President Maureen Tavener to honour an outstanding member every year.
All WBN members have an opportunity to vote for any other member, with the exception of the current President, by secret ballot. Maureen Tavener then presents the award to the very deserving recipient at the May general meeting.
Louise Racine of Thirteen Moons Wellness was the recipient of the award in both 2016-2017 and 2015-2016. In 2017, she led the creation of the first-ever International Women’s Day Conference in Peterborough, using funds she received as the winner of the Judy Heffernan Memorial Award in 2016.
For the full list of the other 33 past recipients of the WBN Member of the Year Award, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net.
Leslie Bradford-Scott, pictured here on CBC Television’s Dragons’ Den, is the co-founder and CEO of Walton Wood Farm, a lifestyle gift company based on a farm in Bailieboro, Ontario. Leslie is the keynote speaker at the October 4th meeting of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: CBC)
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has a reputation for an excellent lineup of high-quality and inspiring speakers, as well as networking trade shows and development opportunities. The upcoming season, which runs from September to June, is no exception.
The 2017-18 program launches in September with a keynote presentation by Denise Donlon — business executive, television producer and host, and member of the Order of Canada.
Most WBN member meetings take place at Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George St., Peterborough) with networking at 5:30 p.m. dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the keynote speaker at 7:30 p.m. The meetings are included as part of WBN membership, but anyone can register online and come as a guest — but don’t wait, as spaces fill quickly!
Here’s WBN’s program for 2017-18 (we’ll be updating the program over the coming weeks as it’s finalized):
October 4, 2017 – “The Garden that Grew Her” with Leslie Bradford-Scott
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
Leslie Bradford-Scott is the co-founder and CEO of Walton Wood Farm, a lifestyle gift company based on a farm in Bailieboro, Ontario.
A self-proclaimed late bloomer, Leslie began making bath salts in her kitchen mixer in June of 2014 when she was 49 years old. She sold them by cold calling stores throughout Ontario. Within three years, her line of fun and funky gift products sprouted more than 65 products sold in more than 1,000 brick and mortar stores across the USA and Canada — including luxury retailers such as The Bellagio Hotel and Spa, Nordstorm and Holt Renfrew.
She is currently in talks to export her products to South Africa and the Middle East. In October of 2016, Leslie appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and accepted a deal with Manjit Minhas at a $1.25 million valuation. She subsequently turned down the deal, and has been tripling her business every quarter.
Leslie refers to her family and career journey as “The Garden that Grew Her”. With ethos, wit and whimsy, Leslie tells the inspiring story of how she leveraged a traumatic childhood, disastrous marriage, and struggles raising two spirited daughters by treating her experiences like flowers and weeds.
At age 49, Leslie planted the seed of what has now become a multi-million-dollar lifestyle brand.
“It’s never too late to become the person you want to be, and cultivate the life you once thought impossible. Don’t just turn lemons into lemonade — grow flowers in the desert.”
November 1, 2017 – “Love Yourself. Taming the Inner Critic” with Laila Ghattas
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
Liala Ghattas.
Liala Ghattas is a Happiness Specialist who has helped thousands of individuals and couples to find their own answers. Laila expertly weaves creativity, energy work, intuition and psychotherapy into self-discovery programs that deliver profound personal growth.
Laila’s richly textured vocation as an artist, writer, Gestalt therapist, Reiki practitioner, group facilitator, public speaker and fabric/clothing designer deeply satisfies her path to serve. Recognizing the chronic state of insecurity many endure, Laila designs inspiring self-confidence solution programs for individuals and couples. Each winter Laila offers spiritual healing journeys to Bali.
Responding to the epidemic of body image issues, she recently launched her esteem-nurturing brand “Laila Goddness Comfortwear – Flatterng styles for real women in real sizes” created in Bali from her signature, hand-printed fabrics.
Kindness is something you naturally offer to others. Friends, family, and even strangers are worthy recipients of your sensitivity and thoughtfulness. But have you noticed that patience, understanding, compassion, and acceptance aren’t as available for yourself in any given situation?
Tonight we introduce and nurture the art of self-directed kindness. Using simple interactive creative exercises, you can uncover often surprising and always helpful insights. Discover what self-love can look and feel and sound like.
When you practice gentler inner dialogue, the world literally becomes a better place. While you experience the resulting deeper self-esteem, you also model a priceless skill to others. When you feel good about yourself, your confidence grows on solid ground and is reflected in your work performance and attitude. Self-sabotaging behaviour fades in the light of your investment in caring about yourself.
Practicing self-directed patience and empathy enables these same gifts to be more genuinely available for you to afford colleagues and family. You’ll naturally prefer to exercise healthy boundaries while creating supportive collaborative environments.
Come transform the most important relationship in your life. All else will follow.
December 6 2017 – WBN Holiday Gala and Auction
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.
The theme of this year’s Holiday Gala and Auction is “Holidays Carols”. Members are invited to host one of the dinner tables and decorate it featuring your favourite holiday carol.
January 10, 2018 – Annual Member Tradeshow & Workshops
Location: Highland Park Funeral Centre (2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.
More details will be coming soon.
February 7, 2018 – Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
Victoria Lennox. (Photo: Startup Canada)
Hear the inspiring entrepreneurial story of Victoria Lennox, and the rollercoaster of highs and lows of being an entrepreneur. Learn her top 10 lessons to starting up a strong business and learn how to bring your ideas to life. Learn all about the importance of building a community and giving back to ensure your company achieves optimal success; delve into the importance of self care and health practices to make your entrepreneurial journey the best it can be; and learn about why letting go and trusting others can improve your startup. Be inspired by Lennox’s amazing journey and see how entrepreneurship is the ultimate tool to achieve global hope and peace.
Victoria Lennox is the co-founder and CEO of Startup Canada, a grassroots network of entrepreneurs working together to build an environment for entrepreneurship in Canada.
She is recognized by the United Nations Development Programme and the European Union as one of the foremost experts in entrepreneurship education; ecosystem and program architecture, governance, development and implementation; and, in fuelling entrepreneurship movements and awareness campaigns.
She is the first Canadian and one of the youngest recipients of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. As a student at the University of Oxford, Victoria won the award for having pioneered a grassroots youth entrepreneurship movement in the UK call NACUE. Today NACUE is central to the UK’s youth entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting more than 55,000 higher education students and graduates across more than 100 institutions.
On the global stage, Victoria is a strong leader. As the catalyst for Startup Generation and host of Startup Nations, Victoria supports and mentors the development of youth enterprise organizations in more than 20 countries; provides advisory support to international organizations in the areas of entrepreneurship networks, education and policy development; and supports colleges and universities in enhancing their entrepreneurial activities.
Countries around the world are also working to emulate Startup Canada’s methodologies and activities, viewing the organization, under Victoria’s leadership, as the best practice in fuelling entrepreneurship culture.
March 7, 2018 – Monthly member meeting (more details coming soon)
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
More details will be coming soon.
April 4, 2018 – “Never Give Up” with Tessa Smith and “Cuddles for Cancer” founder Faith Dickinsen
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
Tessa Smith and Faith Dickinson.
Tessa Smith
Tessa Smith is a nineteen-year-old multi-published journalist, broadcast journalist, motivational speaker, poet, spoken-word artist, freelance model, style icon, photographer, budding musician, philanthropist, body equality activist, LGBTQ activist/member, and grateful goddess pounding the pavements of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada with undying confidence. She is also a two-time cancer survivor, which has resulted in the loss of her right eye and left leg.
Tessa was diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma at 3 months old, and after some chemotherapy and laser treatment, had her right eye removed at 5 months old. Tessa had a 4% chance of developing Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) between her early to late teen years, and did at the age of 13. Tessa endured 7 months of intense, high-dose chemotherapy and had Rotationplasty amputation and resection on her left leg in July 2012.
Tessa has been a SickKids Foundation Ambassador and Terry Fox Foundation Ambassador for 5 years; she was also the 2016 Poster Girl for the Terry Fox Foundation for all of Canada. Tessa currently has an advice column for youth and teens with the Peterborough Examiner, and has written for publications such as the Toronto Sun and the Toronto Star. Tessa had a short documentary made on her life in 2014, which premiered at Bloor St. Cinemas and was voted fan favorite. Tessa recently finished an internship at Chex Television in Peterborough, where she debuted as a broadcast journalist. Tessa debuted in radio in May on CBC Radio One’s ‘Ontario Morning’, talking about her advice column.
This past June, she graduated from high school with honours. This fall she will be attending Trent University (in Peterborough) on a scholarship for her BA in Journalism/Broadcast Journalism with a joint major in International Development Studies.
In her spare time, Tessa indulges in drinking tea, reading, writing, and music. She plays drums, guitar, and some piano; she also sings. Tessa loves to cuddle her dogs, and be outside with nature-she loves camping in Algonquin Park for a month every summer with her family.
Faith Dickinson
Faith Dickinson created Cuddles for Cancer when she was only nine years old. Her Aunt Lyndi of Alberta had been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer and Faith wanted to do something special for her. Faith and her mom made her a fleece tie blanket with pink ribbons on it. Her aunt said that she loved the blanket, as cancer paitents very often get terribly cold.
A short time after that, Faith made all three of her Grade 4 teachers blankets as a year-end gift. Her French teacher, who was retiring, cried and all three said that they would “cuddle” into them. When Faith’s mom picked her up from school, Faith said that she wanted to make other feel good. Within two days, they came up with the name Cuddles for Cancer.
Five years later, Faith has made over 3.500 Cuddle blankets and they have been sent all across Canada, the United States, England, Africa, France, Germany, Austraila, Brazil and many other countries. Faith has great respect and compassion for our Canadian soldiers and veterans, so she has a signature soldier blanket that she makes for them. They have been sent throughout Canada, Afghanistan, Poland, Iraq, Kuwait and the Ukraine.
Faith has two annual campaigns, “Kids at Christmas” and “Sponsor a Soldier”. She also started “Help the Homeless” last Christmas in Toronto and “Cuddles for Crossroads” in May, which supports our local Crossroads Shelter for women and their children.
Faith created the “Cuddles Clubs” throughout Ontario, where she visits schools to encourage them to support one local and one global cause per school year. Faith’s motto is “you are never too young to make a difference”. Schools have helped her fundraise and to make Cuddle blankets. Faith also has a corporate program, where she visits businesses and organizations, shares her story and makes Cuddle blankets with their top management teams, in an effort to “give back”.
Faith has been honoured for her work and has received several awards and distinctions; The Legacy Award in Princess Diana’s memory, The Scholfield Award from United Way Peterborough, The Prince’s Youth Service Award – WE are Community, The Ontario Jr. Citizen of the year, TVO Kids-Super, Citizen of the Year from the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce, and several others.
Faith hopes to open a second Cuddles for Cancer location in London, England within the next year. She is currently writing a book, hoping to inspire youth to find their passion, chase their dreams and to make a difference in the lives of others.
May 2, 2018 – Annual General Meeting and Monthly member meeting (more details coming soon)
Location: To be announced
AGM 5 p.m., Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
More details will be coming soon.
June 6, 2018 – WBN Season Finale
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.
More details will be coming soon.
Past events
September 6, 2017 – “Fearless as Possible” with Denise Donlon, Business Executive, TV Producer & Host
Location: Holiday Inn Waterfront (150 George Street, Peterborough)
Networking 5:30 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m., Speaker 7:30 p.m.
Denise Donlon, as photographed by Toronto’s Lisa MacIntosh from her Great Hall Series. One of Canada’s most successful broadcasters and corporate executives, Donlon will be the keynote speaker on September 8th at the first Women’s Business Network of Peterborough members meeting of the 2017-18 season. (Photo: Lisa MacIntosh Photography, www.lisamacintoshphotography.ca)
Denise Donlon is one of Canada’s most successful broadcasters and corporate executives. Highly regarded as a principled leader and sprinted communicator, she has navigated corporated culture with integrity, responsibility and an irrepressible passion to be a force for good.
Denise Donlon has operated on the frontlines of massive changes in the music industy, media and Canada’s cultural industries. As VP and GM of Much Music/MuchMoreMusic her mandate was “relevance” during a time when music videos became a medium that would change pop music and popular culture forever.
She became the first female president of Sony Music Canada, where she navigated the crisis in music industry with the rise of Napster and the new digital revolution while overseeing the country’s marketing, sales and promotion of some of the world’s biggest artists, including Leonard Cohen, Celine Dion and Bruce Springsteen.
Denise Donlon’s memoir “Fearless As Possible (Under the Circumstances)” was published in November 2016 and is shortlisted for the 2017 Kobo Emerging Writers Prize for Nonfiction.
She was Executive Director then General manager of CBC English Radio when the corporation absorbed funding cutbacks leading to mass layoffs and a shadow over the future of Canada’s national public broadcaster.
Her impressive and storied career has been highlighted by her passionate engagement with charitable organizations. She travelled to conflict zones like Sierra Leone and Northern Uganda doing documentary work on war afflicted women and children with War Child Canada, she was the event producer of the Clinton Global Initiative which raised over $21 million in one evening, and was a co-producer of Live 8, the Canadian international concert event.
These initiatives and more are chronicled in her smart, inspiring, and “wickedly funny” memoir Fearless As Possible (Under the Circumstances).
Denise creates an environment if innovation, celebration and success. As well as her memebership in the Order of Canada, she is a Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music and has been inducted into the Broadcast Hall of Fame.
She has been honoured with the Humanitarian Spirit Award and Trailblazer Award at Canadian Music Week, Woman of the Year from Canadian Woman in Communications, and Woman of Vision from Wired Woman.
For more information about the 2017-18 program for the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, including guest registration, visit www.womensbusinessnetwork.net/program/.
Lorie Gill, 2017-18 President of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough.
I am absolutely honored to serve our members and guests as President of Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) for the upcoming year 2017/2018.
And I am inspired by our new, highly driven Board of Directors that have been working vigorously over the summer laying the foundation for a new program with stimulating, inspiring and educational speakers.
We look forward to having you join us each month from September until June to experience the variety of topics, good food, wonderful friendships that transpire, and of course, have some fun!
Lorie Gill has been a member of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough since 2014 and has served on the Board as the Technical Director and the External Communications Director.
Since 2014, I have personally been an active member of this fine, reputable organization of 57 years and I have enjoyed every meeting that I have ever attended. I find tremendous value in collaborating with the ever growing, diverse group of loyal women and trusted local businesses of the WBN, partnering along side the deserving charitable organizations we are aligning ourselves with.
If you are looking for your tribe, this is it! The WBN is definitely the premier networking organization for women to be a part of in Peterborough, the Kawarthas and surrounding areas.
As an entrepreneur who works and lives in the greater Peterborough area, I am strongly aware of the WBN’s role as an organization that provides women with opportunities for development, fosters valuable connections, and facilitates member success through business growth.
We are a powerful network of movers and shakers, showing that our expertise can really make a change in our community.
Currently, we are a membership of over 160 dynamic and diverse women of all ages, cultures, industries and professions. The exciting and steady growth of our membership over the years shows that our organization is working hard to fulfill our members’ and community’s needs.
I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to last season’s formidable President Mary McGee and her industrious Board of Directors for an outstanding WBN season. Cheers to a well-executed plan, ladies! And an extra special thank you for reminding us throughout the year to “Use our Power, Work with Purpose and Enjoy the Present!”
Lorie Gill, 2017-18 President of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough, with last season’s President Mary McGee (left).
Our theme this season is Empower, Influence and Serve.
Empower
Simply put, women become stronger when they empower other women. All of you, especially those in leadership positions, have the opportunity and privilege to champion a culture that encourages women to learn, grow and be inspired.
By being a mentor and a powerful ally, you are offering your own unique set of skills, ideas, and life experiences, and nurturing your female peers to achieve their goals and feel empowered. Our monthly networking hour is a great opportunity to find role models whom you identify with and inspire you. Those women will be a key to your success because they can provide advice and knowledge based on their own trials and tribulations.
Let’s continue to demonstrate just how powerful a force we can be when we support one another.
Influence
Our diverse membership strengthens our voice in our community. Over the coming year, you are encouraged to bring your expertise and insight to the table, and voice issues that are of importance to you. Your membership and our united voices can help influence the role women have in our business community. Together, we have the ability create the conditions for success, growth and impact on a local, national, and even global scale.
Together, we’ll help foster change and shape opinions with inspiring speakers and events, with help from our contra membership with the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, our involvement with the Trent Business Students’ Association, and the Bears’ Lair competition.
Serve
We take pride in serving our community as a source of inspiration and empowerment for women in business, as we focus on our program that continues to educate and elevate our members. As a member, you can expect to flex your learning, networking and mentoring muscles.
The WBN will continue to work to serve the needs of the broader community by being involved in the YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and the Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival, as well as other great local non-profit organizations.
The WBN Board and I are confident that this year we will deliver a positive and enlightening member experience. Be sure to take full advantage of your membership resources and promote yourself and your business this year, and please come forward with any ideas and help to create positive change.
If I can offer you one piece of advice right from the start: it’s be open to the possibilities. Your WBN membership is like a treasure map, inviting you to be adventurous, encouraging you to embark on the journey, and guiding you to search for the nuggets of wisdom that are sure to be scattered in the in unique places during the year ahead.
The 2017-2018 Board of Directors of the Women's Business Network. From left to right: Tracey Ormond, Josée Kiss, Grace Reyonlds, Colleen Carruthers, Paula Kehoe, Lorie Gill, Shelley Barker, Lori McKee, Sana Virji, Karen Copson, and Mary McGee (not pictured: Diane Wolf).
The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, elected by members at the Annual General Meeting in May.
This group of 12 women meets monthly to formulate the plans and deal with the business of the network, which currently has more than 160 members. They also attend at special board meetings throughout the year and membership meetings from September through June.
Here are profiles and photos of the 2017-2018 Board of Directors:
Lorie Gill is passionate about assisting others in achieving their goals. She has been with digital marketing agency GILL Solutions Management for over 15 years, possessing a strong background in client services and support. As an insightful Business and Social Media Strategist, she enjoys working with businesses and entrepreneurs to define their brand message and strategically share that message online, creating company brand awareness. Lorie co-hosts the Measurement Doctor Podcast discussing strategies on personal development, business management and marketing. She is family-centred, grateful for life’s challenges, and enjoys helping others succeed personally and professionally. Lorie actively contributes in various ways within her community, currently volunteering with Habitat for Humanity on the Women Build Project for the second year.
Mary McGee is the president and CEO of Little Lake Cemetery Co. /Highland Park Funeral Centre.
As Peterborough’s oldest not-for-profit corporation, Little Lake Cemetery Co. has been offering exceptional value and professional compassionate service to bereaved families for 165 years.
From pre-planning to aftercare estate support, Mary and her exceptional staff provides families with guidance and support at a difficult time, ensuring each life lived is commemorated in a personal and memorable manner, today and forever.
Colleen Carruthers is a partner in The T-R Group Inc. a Human Resources firm.
She is a workplace learning specialist, group facilitator, business coach and registered psychotherapist. For more than 20 years, she has worked with clients to improve the way they communicate, relate and perform. Colleen has been conducting Strategic Planning Sessions for profit and not for profit clients for at least 15 years. Previously, she held senior positions in the retail, high tech and publishing industries.
Finally, she has been teaching and coaching in the Peak Leadership Program at Fleming College for the past four years.
Shelley Barker is an Insolvency Administrator at BDO Canada Ltd., helping people to manage their finances and create solutions to their debt problems.
Certified through the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals (CAIRP), she is a financial counsellor and specializes in creative proposals that can reduce debt, eliminate interest and create manageable budgets.
That’s A Wrap Catering Company is your fresh meal delivery solution. Tracey Ormond founded the company on the principles of service excellence.
The menu is simple and designed to save you time and money. That’s A Wrap Catering specializes in meal service for the office, health and long-term care facilities, group meals for shift workers, corporate boardrooms, team building activities, athletic meetings and practices, student study groups, and more.
A customized menu based on your needs and budget is also available.
Paula Kehoe is the owner of Red Rock Communications, a boutique communications agency that specializes in a range of promotional, publicity, writing and digital services for businesses ranging in finance, health care, retail, technology, non-profit and lifestyle brands.
Through existing relationships, strategic targeting and strong pitching, she helps businesses secure print and online placements to keep their brand in the forefront of their audience.
Diane Wolf has more than 30 years’ experience in academia and the adult education industry. She has spoken throughout Canada, the US, and the UK on topics such as management, leadership, business communication, and entrepreneurship. Diane taught in the Business Administration Program at Trent University for 11 years.
Diane left Trent to found Diane Wolf Consulting, where she encourages, educates, and empowers people to become dynamic and confident communicators. She also enjoys mentoring entrepreneurs, and has a new weekly podcast on presentation skills, “Presentation Professor” which can be found on iTunes and Stitcher.
Sana Virji co-founded Ribbet while studying at Trent University. The idea stemmed from a university $5 challenge and soon grew into a flourishing startup.
In addition to Ribbet, she is the founder and executive director of Streets of Canada, a Canada 150 project celebrating entrepreneurs, artists and unsung heroes across the nation.
Along with business commitments, Sana is a passionate advocate for women in business and serves on the board of the Women’s Business Network to support and grow Peterborough’s vibrant business community.
Lori McKee is a program manager with Christian Horizons, an organization which operates across the province of Ontario supporting people with intellectual disabilities. With a career spanning 24 years, she empowers staff and advocates for people to reach their fullest potential within the communities in which they live and work.
Lori is also passionate about adult education and lifelong learning. As a certified Fierce Conversations Facilitator, she coaches groups to improve their communication, delegation and conflict management skills. Lori continues to advance her own learning at any given opportunity and loves to add courses to her continuing education portfolio.
Grace Reynolds is a licensed mortgage agent based in Peterborough and services all of Ontario. With access to over 80 lenders and hundreds of products, she works on the behalf of her clients, not one specific bank or product. She provides advice and support for all residential mortgage financing including purchasing a new home, refinancing for debt consolidation or renovation project, or purchasing a second property, entrepreneurs, immigrants, renewals, transfers, and switches. The mortgage industry is not as simple and straightforward as it once was. Having the advice and guidance of a mortgage broker at your side is vital. With over 15 years of business and customer service experience, Grace can guide you through the process, whether you’re a first time homebuyer, seasoned homebuyer or investor.
Karen Copson is an Administrative Coordinator for Camp Kawartha, a year-round outdoor and environmental education centre. An award-winning organization, Camp Kawartha offers curriculum-linked education programs for grades K-12, summer camp programs for ages 4-17, corporate team-building, and facility rentals for meetings, workshops and weekend retreats.
Karen has been with Camp Kawartha for over 15 years, combining her extensive administrative and information technology skills to help streamline and improve administrative processes for the organization.
Director at Large – Josée Kiss
Kiss Enterprises Ltd.
Josée Kiss
Josée Kiss is the co-owner of Kiss Enterprises Ltd., a company which comprises of a vacation rental property called Goose Haven Cottage, located on Chemong Lake, and Hire Living 4 U, a service-based company that provides clients with an array of services such as house cleaning, running errands, cutting grass, meal planning, and much more.
Josée’s passion is to help others and looking for new ways to improve their lives.
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