The Influencers

By Lindsay Advocate

Lori Watson, executive director of Women's Resources of Kawartha Lakes, is an influencer in the non-profit sector.

This list offers a glimpse of some of the top influencers in Kawartha Lakes in many different categories. It highlights some of those people shaping our city in politics, business, arts and culture, non-profits, food, and as community leaders. While clearly not an exhaustive list, these 18 individuals are a representative snapshot who are making significant changes and innovations, often benefiting the community.

NON-PROFIT

Ryan Alexander

Ryan Alexander is the CEO of Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes. He took over from Barb Mildon, who retired on March 31, 2023. Alexander played a vital role in planning and opening the new $15-million Community Health Centre in Lindsay, which officially started operations in March this past year. This new centre represents a significant milestone in Community Care’s local history. Before this, Alexander served as Manager of Hospice Services and Director of Community Support Services in Kawartha Lakes.

Terry Guiel

If you didn’t know Terry Guiel before he arrived in Lindsay a year and a half ago, you likely know him now – assuming social media is your thing. Guiel is the executive director of the Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce. Upon arriving, he immediately conducted a charm offensive on the local business community, highlighting local owners and their accomplishments and along the way signed up considerably more new chamber members for the non-profit. He has dramatically increased the profile of the local chamber and, in conjunction with its activist board members, has booked more events and speakers than ever.

Lori Watson

As executive director of Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes for more than 20 years, Lori Watson’s team prides itself on creating a safe space for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The well-known Women’s Resources thrift store, Vicky’s Values, sells gently used clothes and household items to raise funds to support programs for women and children who are facing these challenges. Watson continues to show leadership as her non-profit opened the doors to its new second-stage housing unit on Logie street in Lindsay this past June. The housing unit is named Lori’s Place in honour of Watson for her decades of service.

FOOD

Dara Bergeron and Victoria Jessup

Two years ago, Dara Bergeron and Victoria Jessup opened Kindred Coffee Bar hoping to give local entrepreneurs and people simply craving a quality cup of coffee, a place of their own to meet, work, and dream. Not only have they achieved this goal, Kindred has become a hotspot in downtown Lindsay, serving up yummy food – including sandwiches on Montreal’s famous St-Viateur Bagels and locally made treats from Half Baked Cookies – along with a range of delicious coffee and non-coffee beverages to satisfy any craving. The dynamic duo recently announced they’re opening a second location in Bobcaygeon, spreading the joy of good coffee to more people in Kawartha Lakes.

Olivia Matthews.

Olivia Matthews

Lindsay’s very own under 30 success, Olivia Matthews opened Milk & Honey four years ago at just 22-years-old. Since then, she’s gotten married and started a family, all while establishing and growing her business. A true local who even went to high school in town, Matthews has been serving up delicious goodies in a space on William Street until recently. The beloved eatery is now part of the idyllic Kent Street scenery. Matthews may be young, but she brings over a decade of experience, as she started working in cafes and restaurants at the age of 15.

Charlene Vanderburg and Tammy Thurston

If you have been to an event lately in Kawartha Lakes there is a good chance its been catered by Board and Nibble Catering Co. The dynamic duo, Tammy Thurston and Charlene Vanderburg, just celebrated their first year in business together. They have combined their love of good food, dedication to great service and gorgeous presentation and their passion for the community together. Thurston and Vanderburg give back by utilizing their gratuities to make meals for those in need through their Making Meals Matter Kawartha Lakes program.

BUSINESS

Wesley Found

Wesley Found, president of Linborough Property Corp, seems to be everywhere these days. Not only has the Found family been the owners of the venerable Kent Place Mall in Lindsay since 1979, Linborough also acquired the Scotiabank building in 2018. Found has also been playing an active role as chair of the Lindsay Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA). The latest project he has been associated with is the complete overhaul of the old livery stable at 19 Cambridge Street, across from the Cambridge Mall in Lindsay, transforming it into a new home for the Kawartha Art Gallery.

Zoe Frech & Lindsay Griffin Mesure

Great North Storage has had quite a first year in business. Zoe Frech, a Durham Regional police officer, and Lindsay Griffin Mesure, who has 20 years of sales and management experience, won for Marketing Excellence at the 2024 Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence. Their presence on social media and active involvement giving back to the community are superior. They are sponsors of the south Lindsay versus north Lindsay food drive for Food Source, the Jr. A Muskies, Kawartha Conservation, and LDCC to name just a few.

Adam Hayward.

Adam Hayward

In 2000, Adam Hayward purchased Nesbitt’s Meat Market in Lindsay from Jim Nisbitt after having worked for him since the young age of 13. Since then, Hayward has grown the butcher shop, acquired Cambridge Mall and has contributed to the community through his extensive volunteerism. His involvement over the years with Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation, Rotary, the LEX and Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, to name just a few, while still managing his own business have earned Hayward recognition as the Lindsay Chamber Business Leader of the Year in 2018.

COMMUNITY LEADERS

Valmay Barkey

Valmay Barkey has lived in Kawartha Lakes for decades, contributing significantly to the community through her volunteer work with Rotary and the Academy Theatre, among other organizations. She was the director of Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes and the founding CEO of this not-for-profit healthcare organization, established in 1985. In 1984, she brought together local officials, volunteers, and health professionals to establish Home Support services, where she provided exemplary leadership until 2010. Barkey has actively participated in various voluntary activities, such as those with Rotary and the Academy Theatre, enriching the cultural and social tapestry of the community.

Amy Terrill.

Amy Terrill

Wherever Amy Terrill goes, respect and accomplishments seem to follow. Well known to those of a certain age as a CHEX TV anchor, she is also fondly remembered as the former general manager of the Lindsay + District Chamber of Commerce. Later she took roles with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and with Music Canada as executive vice president. The local community was thrilled to welcome her back to Kawartha Lakes as executive director of the local boys and girls club several years ago, now known as BGC Kawarthas. Under Terrill’s steady leadership the club has grown, with exciting new programs for area youth.

Mike Puffer

Mike Puffer is the consummate community man. He is widely recognized for his substantial contributions to the area, from being editor of The Lindsay Daily Post, to his 11 years spent as executive director of the United Way, and then another 14 years as communications officer with Community Care. Additionally, Puffer spent 19 years as a Kinsmen and is now a Rotarian and has served on the boards of the Cambridge Street United Church, Boys & Girls Club, Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce, and Food Source, not to mention 100 Men Who Care. Volunteerism and choosing service-oriented career paths have always been in his blood.

Craig Metcalfe.

ARTS

Craig Metcalf

Bringing more than three decades of experience in arts and culture, Craig Metcalf joined the Academy Theatre in Lindsay four years ago, ending a long stint of high GM turnover. The year before Metcalf’s arrival, the theatre was $47,000 in the red, compared to this year, where they are expecting an $89,000 surplus. On top of this, the theatre secured 15 years of support from FLATO on his watch. Metcalf’s commitment to the theatre has reinstated a sense of good will, helping thousands to make new memories with friends and family attending shows that vary from plays to concerts.

Susan Taylor

The director of the Kawartha Art Gallery (KAG), Susan Taylor, has had a very good year. After many years of looking for a new permanent home for the gallery and its collection, Taylor and the KAG will be moving to 19 Cambridge Street once renovations are completed. The newly repurposed building, that many will remember as the former Joel’s restaurant, will provide the gallery with a dedicated space to showcase its collection, host engaging exhibitions and deliver exceptional educational programming. This move was made possible by the support of Kawartha Lakes Council and assistance from the Ken Found Art Fund. Taylor is hopeful that the gallery will contribute meaningfully to the cultural vibrancy of Kawartha Lakes and offer enriching experiences for all.

Stephanie Mackey

The Lindsay Dance Studio has been owned by Stephanie Mackey since 1990. As a graduate of the prestigious teacher training programme at the College of the Royal Academy of Dance in London, England, Mackey has been a huge contributor to the arts and culture scene in Kawartha Lakes over the last few decades. Along with Alana Collver and Kate Imrie, Mackey spearheaded the formation of the Triple Threat Theatre Company in 2006 encouraging local youth in all aspects of performance – acting, singing, and dancing and providing them with the opportunity to perform live on stage. Mackey has been the recipient of several awards for her involvement in the community.

Charlie McDonald.

POLITICS

Charlie McDonald

The former restaurant owner and current Ward 7 councillor is currently serving as deputy-mayor of Kawartha Lakes. McDonald is playing a bigger role on council as the months go by, taking populist stands on issues like short term rentals and homeless people living in public spaces. The deputy-mayor is seen regularly in the community, and very much enjoys solving problems for people. Despite saying earlier in his first term that he isn’t interested in the mayor’s chair, there are many city hall watchers who think that McDonald has considerable political ambition and sees himself as the person who can bridge the gap between progressives and conservatives on council.

Mike Perry

Ward 3 Councillor Mike Perry has become a force to be reckoned with on council by not only being a very public advocate for the people who elected him, but also by making sure that underserved communities and Indigenous people have a voice at the council table. Perry, a lawyer by training, often asks the difficult questions regarding the minutia of city operations and decision making that many others did not consider. Perry is seen as having significant political ambitions on council and is widely expected to be one of the progressive councillors who may seriously consider a run for the mayor’s chair if Doug Elmslie decides to only be a one term mayor.

Ron Ashmore

Ward Six Councillor Ron Ashmore has found a home on council advocating for the people in his ward, and conservative and libertarian voters right across the city. Ashmore has built a power base in his ward by being a very public and responsive councillor. Pleasant Point residents still share the story of Ron using his own tractor to help move snow from people’s roads when city trucks were not available after a significant dump of snow last Christmas. Ashmore has comfortably settled into the role on council once held by Pat Dunn as the voice of those who want less government and more freedom to live their lives as they see fit.

6 Comments

  1. Brad Campkin says:

    An impressive list of amazing individuals who invest time, money and energy in making our community a better place to live. Thanks for making us all aware of all that they do!

  2. Anne Driscoll says:

    Some of these people I have some interactions professionally.Congratulations to all

  3. Brad Bird says:

    Very impressed and very well deserved 👏

  4. Kyle Hussey says:

    Congratulations, and very deserving for each person listed.

  5. Dana Bachman says:

    Very impressive. Lucky to have them here in the city of Kawartha Lakes. Good research went into this article.

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