Women making valuable contributions to the business community are being recognized through the newly announced Luminary Awards.
The ‘Luminaries’, created by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce, shines a light on notable names in different categories.
Committee Chair Susan Dunkley says seeing the list of nominees was super exciting.
Dunkley says the concept for these awards was fairly simple.
There are five different categories, and while she’s not supposed to have a favourite, Dunkley says the ‘Legacy’ honour is one she is watching closely.
The Luminary awards are scheduled for May 8th, 2025, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Great Hall at Trent University. Tickets can be purchased at luminaryawards.ca.
Here is a complete list of nominees:
Trailblazer – Entrepreneur
Celebrating a business owner who has created innovation and success through her leadership, vision, courage and commitment.
Andra Taylor – Refine Finance
Ashley Flynn – Blackrock Developments
Camila Duarte – FoundHer
Danielle Turpin – Homecare Workers Cooperative
Elaine Webster – The Chocolate Rabbit
Jane Bischoff – Our Daughter’s Home
Kateline Turcotte – Wilde Beauty PTBO
Lisa Couture – Couture Candy PTBO
Sheena Howard – Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy & BizNurse Savy
Tina Bromley – Tiny Green Plant Shop and Planting Studio
Tracy Minnema – A River of Yarn
Trista Greer – For the Love of Marketing
Barrier Buster – Employee
Celebrating the achievements of a remarkable woman who has excelled in her field/place of employment, embraced new ideas, technologies or ways of working and demonstrating exceptional skill, dedication, and perseverance when faced with adversity.
Andrea Crumpsty
Dana Gildon-Cormier – Subway Canada
Jenisha Sanjit Arora – Fleming College & Fleming Student Administrative Council
Jessica Hill – Coldwell Banker Electric Realty
Laura Montague – Ashburnham Realty
Sarah Yeo – Engage Engineering Ltd.
Sheridan Graham – Peterborough County
Theresa Longo – Theresa Longo Public Relations & Ambassadorship
Tiffany Daskewich
One to Watch – Employee
Future leader known for their innovative, meaningful contributions to their workplace, proven professional success, and shows outstanding potential for the future. Nominee may hold entry to mid-level management positions in their workplace
Alaura Jopling – Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre
Ilysha Lock – Kawartha Gymnastics
Laura Montague – Ashburnham Realty
Monika Dandriyal – Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO)
Nicole Cameron – Engage Engineering LTD
Nicole Edgar – Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine
Rachel Stark – Municipality of Trent Lakes
Emerging Entrepreneur
Owner engaged in a new successful, innovative and inspiring business venture that shows outstanding potential for the future. Nominee must have been in business for a minimum of two years and no more than five years.
Danielle Malcolm – Muster Point
Danielle Turpin – Home Care Workers Cooperative
Devon Doney – No.9 NORTH Float and Wellness
Emiline Wilson – Em Coaching & Consulting
Heather Lister – Heather’s Holistics
Jenn Austin-Driver – Farmhill Weddings
Jodi Forestell – Jodi-Lee Nutrition & Wellness
Kateline Turcotte – Wilde Beauty PBTO
Kayla Le Franc – Kayla Le Franc Photo
Mehrangiz Monsef – Monsef Immigration Consulting
Nicole Loucks – Kawartha Family Chiropractic
Samantha Turner – Horlings Garden Centre and Johnstons Greenhouse
Sarah and Kayley Dunn – Evergreen Education
Shavonne Wood – Well Balanced RD
Sheena Howard – Acceptance Nurse Psychotherapy & BizNurse Savy
Tiffany Arcari – The Tiffany Show
Vanessa Asta – Asta Hairstyling School
Legacy
She has spent her successful business career inspiring others and giving back to her community. She strives for business excellence and through realizing their vision, the nominee has provided a host of opportunities for others for employment, growth, philanthropy, etc.
Anita Lambert – Holistic Health Physiotherapy
Bonnie Clark – Peterborough County Warden
Brenda Tapp – Peterborough Centre of Naturopathic Medicine
Dani Buck – D.M. Wills Associates
Deborah Paris – Paris Marine
Donna Rourke – Cottage Toys
Jeannine Taylor – Kawartha Now
Joan Levere – Perfection Plus
Maureen Tavener – REMAX
Meagan McLaren – Dr. Meagan McLaren, Naturopathic Doctor
Shannon Gray – Sugar Me Right
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)