In her role as President and CEO of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre Foundation, Lesley Heighway leads team of professionals and volunteers who have raised between $4 and $5 million every year for the hospital. (Photo: PRHC Foundation)
Not too many of us can claim the work we do every day affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people of every age, ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic background — but Lesley Heighway can.
As President and CEO of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation, Lesley works hard to bridge the ever-increasing gap between government funding and the necessary costs of providing high-quality care at our region’s hopsital.
For almost six years now, Lesley has led a team of professionals and volunteers who have raised between $4 and $5 million every year for PRHC — more than $21 million over the past five years.
“Many people don’t realize the government does not typically fund hospital equipment or technology,” she says. “That’s why the most generous communities have the best hospitals.”
These community donations fund the tools and technology that form the backbone of patient care at PRHC and help bring new lifesaving services to our region. Not only that, but a hospital’s ability to fund state-of-the-art equipment and technology is one way to attract and retain health care professionals, helping to put the standard of care at PRHC on par with the top hospitals across Canada.
A tireless advocate and ambassador on behalf of PRHC, Lesley is clearly passionate about health care philanthropy. She’s personally helped thousands of people understand the tangible ways their donations are transforming health care.
“Donors are touching the lives of people they’ve never met every day,” she says. “Our role as a foundation is to give donors an opportunity to give back, while at the same time seeing how their donations are making a real difference in the lives of patients and their loved ones.”
Thanking donors for their support, PRHC Foundation President & CEO Lesley Heighway (middle) with staff of PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre: Senior Ultrasound Technologist Katelyn Martino, Breast Health Navigator Lindsey Justynski, Senior Mammography Technologist Jill Cummings, and Clerk Angela Henderson. (Photo: PRHC Foundation)
The PRHC Foundation is committed to supporting the hospital’s centres of excellence, which serve the region with state-of-the-art cancer care, cardiac care, and vascular surgery — some of the fastest growing and most innovative areas of health care.
With her wealth of business knowledge along an MBA specializing in leadership, Lesley aspires to match the private sector for innovation and creative thinking when it comes to fundraising, while still maintaining the warmth and compassion that fuels inspiration among her team.
And these efforts have paid off. Under Lesley’s leadership, in 2016 the PRHC Foundation was recognized by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy as a “High Performer” for 2014/2015, putting it in the top 25% or more than 2,200 health care organizations across Canada and the United States. The international professional organization gave the designation to only 45 health care foundations.
“We’re extremely proud of this achievement,” Lesley says. “It speaks to the commitment of our team and our Board of Directors to the responsible stewardship of community donations.”
With her passion for health care philanthropy, a wealth of business knowledge, and an MBA specializing in leadership, Lesley Heighway aspires to match the private sector for innovation and creative thinking when it comes to fundraising, while still maintaining the warmth and compassion that fuels inspiration among her team. (Photo: PRHC Foundation)
A typical work day for Lesley consists of working with donors and spearheading fundraising efforts that currently include $8.75 million in cancer care investments, $2.7 million for a new Learning Centre for PRHC, $1.75 million for surgical investments, $1 million for technology for women’s and children’s services, and additional millions for equipment that covers all areas of the hospital from the Emergency Department to Palliative Care.
In the last two years alone, Lesley has successfully led efforts to fund:
Two of three new mammography machines needed for breast cancer screening in PRHC’s Breast Assessment Centre, part of a $1.9 million campaign.
A $1 million investment in upgrading nine of PRHC’s 12 operating rooms for minimally invasive surgery, enabling PRHC to begin to transition from performing 35% of all surgeries using minimally invasive techniques to performing 80% that way.
An $850,000 investment in upgrading and expanding the Cardiac Cath Lab with vital technology upgrades that have significantly reduced procedural radiation exposure for both patients and PRHC physicians and staff, as well as technology that’s brought brand new cardiac treatments to our community for the first time.
$1.1 million in state-of-the-art laboratory equipment investments that enable faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment, particularly in cancer care.
Other vital investments in patient care areas across the hospital from the Emergency Department to ICU, in Women’s and Children’s, Diagnostic Imaging, Cancer Care, Palliative Care and more.
VIDEO: Mike’s Story “Mike’s Story” is one of a series of videos the PRHC Foundation has produced under Lesley Heighway’s leadership that help people understand how their donations make a real difference in the in the lives of patients and their loved ones.
While the success of PRHC Foundation’s fundraising efforts speaks for itself, Lesley’s passion for philanthropy extends far beyond our community. She is involved with an advocacy and advisory group of regional hospital foundation CEOs from across the province. As one of Peterborough’s foremost experts in legacy giving (giving through estate plans), she takes a lead role in working with financial and legal advisors.
She also shares her extensive knowledge and experience with the community through a wide range of board and advisory roles with other organizations and service clubs, as well as a variety of coaching and mentoring relationships with up-and-coming fundraising and young business professionals.
While Lesley is the first to acknowledge that the success of the PRHC Foundation is not hers alone, there’s no denying the impact of her expertise in leadership, motivation, and workplace culture in that success.
“I’m extremely proud of my team and I’m dedicated to supporting them to achieve their highest potential,” she says. “It’s all about creating an organizational culture that fosters passion as well as results.”
The Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) Foundation is located at One Hospital Drive in Peterborough. For more information about the PRHC Foundation and how you can make great health care possible in our community, call 705-876-5000, email foundation@prhc.on.ca, or visit www.prhcfoundation.ca. You can also connect with the PRHC Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Vimeo.
Catia Skinner is the CEO of Kawartha Entertainment Group Inc. (KEGI), as well as The Venue in downtown Peterborough and marketing agency Mega Experience.
A model of innovation, collaboration and engagement: Catia Skinner’s dynamic presence as the CEO of Kawartha Entertainment Group Inc. (KEGI), as well as The Venue and marketing agency Mega Experience, reflects her passion for Peterborough and community.
She’s both highly competent and driven, while at the same time welcoming, gentle, friendly, and open. She is a recipient of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce “4 Under 40 award” and is a Newcomer Entrepreneur of the Year award nominee for the Chamber’s 2017 Business Excellence Awards.
Perfect traits, one might say, for the woman behind one of the city’s most rapidly growing event spaces.
Aptly named, The Venue is a multipurpose space that hosts conferences and conventions, weddings, business meetings, galas and other fundraisers, concerts, art shows, and sports events.
The Venue in downtown Peterborough is a multipurpose event space that hosts a wide range of events from weddings to sports events. conferences and conventions, weddings, business meetings, galas and other fundraisers, concerts, art shows, and sports events.
With a full kitchen, a dedicated chef, a capacity of more than 900, complete onsite catering for 340 in a sit-down dinner, and concert-quality sound equipment, The Venue also features three uniquely connected spaces: the Lobby Bar, Main Hall, and Balcony Lounge.
“Each space can be used individually,” Catia explains, depending on the atmosphere the client is creating and the number of guests. “The good thing about our space is that we can change it to be whatever a client needs.”
That’s because The Venue is uniquely set up on two levels, complete with stage and dance floor. Its versatility is one of its main selling features.
The Venue features a full kitchen with a dedicated chef, capacity of more than 900, complete onsite catering for 340 in a sit-down dinner, and concert-quality sound equipment.
The Venue building is owned by MAS Capital Investments Inc., or, in other words, Catia’s husband, Michael. You may know him as the previous CEO of Operitel Corporation, Conservative Candidate of Record in the 2015 federal election; you may also know him as a property manager and relentless volunteer in the area.
When it comes to The Venue, Catia explains that flexibility and versatility are its foundations.
“We work very closely with customers to understand what they are looking for,” she says. “Our strength is our experienced staff who know how to ask the questions, to share our own experiences, to offer suggestions and options, and to make the client’s vision come to life.”
One of the main selling points of The Venue is its versatility: it can host almost any type of event. Not only does it have a stage and dance floor, but it also has three uniquely connected spaces: the Lobby Bar, Main Hall, and Balcony Lounge.
The goal, always, is to sit down with the client, face-to-face, to determine exactly what that vision looks like, because Catia is also practical. The evidence for that can be seen in the other company she heads, Mega Experience.
Mega (as she informally calls the full-service brand experience marketing company of which she is co-owner and director) assumes all the marketing for The Venue, under Catia’s direction. Strategic? Definitely. Practical? Obviously. What better way to position a set of companies than to pair an event space with a marketing company?
And not just any marketing company. Mega Experience is based on a model of “experiential marketing” from Mega Experience in Catia’s home country of Brazil. While the two companies are linked in philosophy and collaboration, Mega Experience Canada operates entirely self-sufficiently in Peterborough.
Mega Experience is a finalist in the Marketing & Promotion category for the 2017 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards.
Catia explains the motivation behind Mega Experience.
“I had this passion to help clients with their complete marketing needs, to incorporate strategic planning into all marketing, and to do experiential marketing, focused on the five senses where we catch people’s eyes, their tastes, their ears — their emotion — to sell them on an idea, concept, or brand.
“It’s not just about making a pretty design. It’s about making something meaningful for the client. I like to see the ‘Wow Factor.'”
The result is creating meaningful experiences for customers, clients, and communities in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
There’s much more to come from both The Venue and Mega Experience, according to Catia:
The Venue will continue to refine its branding, positioning itself in front of its corporate audience. Central to that are the relationships The Venue is building with its customers and the entire community, partly through the avenues opened by social media managed by Mega Experience.
While The Venue is almost fully booked on weekends, there’s the potential for hosting more weekday events. Catia says that often when an event is over, the client books immediately for the following year. Strategically speaking, that leaves weekdays for new business, and Catia is honing in on that audience.
There are also more opportunities for corporate involvement in and support of the community. KEGI considers requests for sponsorship on an annual basis and supports every cause it can. When additional requests for help come in throughout the year, Catia seriously considers them, in conjunction with a review board, to provide support whenever she can. She also sits on several not-for-profit boards and committees, including the New Canadians Centre, Peterborough Pregnancy Support Services, and Bears’ Lair. Catia has also been a past board member of three years with the Women’s Business Network in the roles of Strategic Planning and Director at Large.
Going forward, Catia says both The Venue and Mega Experience will continue to stay focused on the local community.
“I want to see The Venue and Mega grow,” she says. “I want to see us doing something that is meaningful for Peterborough, growing more, and being even more engaged in the community. The whole vision for us is for the Peterborough community.”
The Venue is located at 286 George Street in downtown Peterborough. For event inquiries, call 705-876-0008 or email events@kegi.ca. For band bookings, email concerts@kegi.ca. For more information and to find out what’s happening at The Venue, you can visit www.venueptbo.com or connect with The Venue on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jeannine Taylor, owner and publisher of online publisher kawarthaNOW.com, has been recognized for her community involvement, including a civic award for chairing a fundraising committee for the development of Millennium Park, pictured in the background. (Photo: Michael Cullen)
When Jeannine Taylor first got access to the internet in late 1995, she wasn’t sure how it was going to change her own life — but she did know it was going to change everything else.
“I was the managing editor of three local print magazines at the time and the internet was a huge eureka moment for me,” she recalls. “I’d always worked in marketing and promotion and I just knew that the internet was a game changer.”
After a Christmas holiday spent surfing the internet — she laughingly says she was single at the time — she returned to her freelance work, recommending that her print publisher needed to embrace the internet.
When that didn’t happen, she went online herself, developing an “e-zine” with local content that launched on May 1, 1996 — just five months later. Called Quid Novis (a variation of “what’s new?” in Latin), the website at quidnovis.com received 10,000 visits in its first week.
“That was a lot of internet traffic back in 1996,” Jeannine says. “It’s funny now to think of the publicity we got at the time. CBC Radio called me to come to Toronto for an interview, and the local daily and television news covered it too.”
Jeannine Taylor promoting kawarthaNOW.com at a Peterborough Chamber of Commerce trade show in 2013.
There were only a handful of local websites in existence at the time, and businesses began to seek out Jeannine for guidance in web development and internet marketing. Quid Novis soon morphed into Quid Novis Internet Productions.
“We got really busy doing website development,” she says. “It was so busy that we didn’t need to seek out new clients — they came to us.”
The business grew over the next 15 years, with Quid Novis Internet Productions developing and hosting hundreds of websites for the private and public sector and garnering local, provincial, and international awards.
Along the way, Jeannine has earned her own share of awards and accolades.
She was Peterborough’s Business Woman of the Year in 2005, a Premier’s Award nominee in 2003, and received a City of Peterborough Civic Award for chairing a fundraising committee for the development of Millennium Park.
Despite the success of her website development business, Jeannine never lost sight of her original intent to develop an online media publication. Quidnovis.com had continued to thrive separately as a community events website, with growing traffic every month — but it was a labour of love. She committed staff resources to maintain and update the site, even though it was a cost centre for the company.
kawarthaNOW.com is an independently owned online media company that provides news, arts, lifestyle, and business information and community event listings for residents and visitors in the counties of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland, Hastings, and Haliburton.
By 2006, changes were happening in the web development industry that made it easier for people to develop and host their own websites. At the same time, social media networks like Facebook and Twitter were gaining traction both with individuals and businesses.
“I realized the potential to grow the web development business was limited,” she says, and decided to shift her focus back on the business of online publishing.
Because the Quid Novis brand had become synonymous with web development, Jeannine rebranded quidnovis.com to kawarthaNOW.com in July 2010 and greatly expanded the site’s content to include news, arts, lifestyle, and business content as well as community events.
Over the past seven years, the site has continued to grow, now reaching more than 200,000 unique readers every month who read 25,000 pages daily. kawarthaNOW.com was recognized in 2011 and 2013 with the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards for Entrepreneurial Spirit.
Jeannine, who is often asked to speak on digital marketing to local business groups, is also a regular media contributor. She has appeared on CBC Ontario Morning, CBC Fresh Air, Kruz, Magic, Extra, and CHEX Television.
But the internet has not only changed Jeannine’s business life — it’s also changed her personal life. It’s where she met her life and business partner Bruce Head, who has been by her side every step of the way since 1996 and is currently kawarthaNOW.com’s managing editor and lead developer.
“I often joke that my only true talent is recruitment,” she says. “I recruited Bruce via Match.com in 1996 and I recruit all of our writers. We have amazing talented writers on our team, and they all understand our focus on high-quality content, which is a key feature of our brand.”
And there’s no slowing down. When it comes to online business, change is constant and fast paced, and there’s a need to be present and active on multiple channels — both web and social media — every day and without pause.
AUDIO: Jeannine Taylor on CBC Radio’s Fresh Air
“We have to make the time to plan strategically and be ready to take action when needed,” Jeannine explains. “We constantly have to re-evaluate our position in the market and watch who’s crossing into our business lane at any time. We used to do a SWOT once a year but now it’s something we talk about all the time.”
While for most people this might seem exhausting, Jeannine says it actually energizes her.
“It forces me to be constantly researching and learning,” she says. “The real challenge is being able to accurately identify our next moves, where we need to be going, and how to get there.
“With the pace of change on the internet, it’s a daily process to stay tuned in and be vigilant. It’s a good thing that, over 20 years later, I still believe the internet is the future of news and communication.”
The head office of kawarthaNOW.com is located in Peterborough. For more information, contact Jeannine Taylor at jt@kawarthanow.com or 705-742-6404. You can follow kawarthaNOW.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
The team of award-winning design/build firm Kawartha Lakes Construction in Lakefield includes Design Manager and Senior Designer Christine Watts (front right), who is also a member of the Women's Business Network of Peterborough. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Construction)
The old adage “Home is Where the Heart Is” might as well be a slogan for Kawartha Lakes Construction (KLC). With three decades of experience building and renovating homes and cottages in the Kawarthas region, the team of professionals at KLC has a keen understanding of the meaning of the word “home”.
WBN member Christine Watts at Kawartha Lakes Construction is a design specialist, an Architectural Technologist, and a graduate of Humber College. When she joined the team in 2003, KLC began providing clients with in-house custom design services. Christine uses state-of-the-art architectural software to create designs that are both innovative and functional, taking client’s ideas and bringing them to life in three-dimensional reality. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Construction)
“We’re about building relationships,” says Christine Watts, Design Manager and Senior Designer at KLC and a member of the Women’s Business Network of Peterborough.
Relationships that start as soon as a potential client makes that first call: 75 per cent of KLC’s client base is made up of either repeat business or referrals from other happy clients.
The team at KLC takes it from there, helping narrow the vision for the project down. Is it a renovation the client is considering or is it a new build or an addition? What kind of space are they hoping to create: cozy and tidy or spacious and open? How much do they want to spend? They also ask the client to scrapbook ideas they like from Houzz, Pinterest, or magazines and to share the scrapbook with the KLC team.
The questions can seem overwhelming, but the team at KLC says that upfront work is crucial to the process. One of the first people a client will see is Christine, who joined the team in 2003 so that KLC could offer a full suite of services, from design concepts to completed construction.
Kawartha Lakes Construction named Employer of The Year
Kawartha Lakes Construction was named Employer of The Year at the 2017 Peterborough Business Excellence Awards, held on October 18, 2017 at Showplace Performance Centre in Peterborough.
“Before we even sit down to make the first design, whether it’s a room renovation or a new build, we have a detailed questionnaire that helps anchor our client’s thoughts and identify exactly what they want,” she says.
The questionnaire takes the client room by room through the home, identifying the type of living the client enjoys (for example, formal or informal), their hobbies, their must-haves and their nice-to-haves, how many cooks there are in the kitchen, and how many people living in the home.
The end result is a better understanding of what the client wants, but Christine says the process has another surprising result.
VIDEO: Design/Build. Home Builder. Home Renovator.
“The client is also educated on a number of levels,” she says. “It can help with budgeting, and to bring their expectations in line with what’s legal to build, what’s possible, and what’s in the budget.
“It helps us to understand the client, their style, what they’re trying to do, to begin to develop that relationship.”
After the initial relationship building, Christine gets to work on the “jigsaw puzzle.” She takes all the information, the wish lists, her own background in construction, the budget the client has helped to draw, and the legal piece, and matches them together into a design framed by the relationship KLC has built with the client.
“We are absolutely dedicated to making sure clients are happy through the process as well as at the end,” Christine says. “We want to make sure we are delivering what will improve the life of the client.”
This is not an actual physical room: it’s an example of the realistic three-dimensional software rendering Christine Watts at Kawartha Lakes Construction uses to bring a client’s design vision to life, so the client is fully informed before the build or renovation begins. (Image: Kawartha Lakes Construction)
About 80 per cent of the projects KLC works on are large-scale renovations and remodelling. Christine says people are choosing to renovate rather than build in today’s economic climate — whether it’s a cottage property, a lakefront home, or a century building in the middle of the city.
As people sell homes and retire to the area, they often have a little extra money from the home sale to put into renovation.
“Clients find it more economical to renovate something they have,” Chrisitine explains. “They like where they are and just want to improve what they have.”
About 80 per cent of the projects Kawartha Lakes Construction works on are large-scale renovations and remodelling, like this renovated kitchen. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Construction)
The trends in design these days include open concepts and lots of glass to let the outdoors in, she says. Energy efficiency is also important to clients so Christine spends a large amount of her time working on specifics of heating and cooling of the home.
She expects her job to become even more challenging as homes become smaller and the task of bringing in fresh air to the home, and exhausting the stale air out, heightens. And rules change frequently. For example, as of July 2017, new homes and garages have to include wiring for any future electric car plug-ins.
“It can be very overwhelming for clients who have not been through this process before,” she says, adding that the KLC team is committed to a process that ensures clients are educated of the details through extensive upfront planning, including the use of three-dimensional drawing software that allows a client to tour a room before a design is finalized.
Kawartha Lakes Construction works closely with a client to ensure that the final product matches both their expectations and their budget, like this remodelled ensuite bathroom. (Photo: Kawartha Lakes Construction)
“Sometimes it’s difficult to feel what the room’s going to be like from a drawing on a piece of paper,” Christine says. “We want to make sure the client is well informed.
“We are building and renovating homes, taking the process right from the first inkling a client has through to completed construction. To do that successfully, to have a product we’re proud of and the client loves, we’re also building relationships.
When you hire us, you hire a team of professionals committed to your dream.”
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.
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