Women at the helm

When Colour and Code started 17 years ago, we worked with an incredible group of local business leaders. People who had built companies from the ground up, sustained family enterprises, and invested deeply in this region. This core business community has been — and remains — a positive influence on the economic landscape of Kawartha Lakes.

Since that time, what I’ve witnessed isn’t a shift away from those leaders, but a broadening of leadership itself. More seats at the table are now filled by women. More businesses are being launched, acquired, or guided by women who are stepping into ownership and executive roles.

It didn’t happen all at once. Like most lasting change, it unfolded gradually as daughters stepped into family businesses and women launched firms after years of building expertise. It spread across professional services, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, health care, and technology until it became a natural part of our business landscape.

Many of these leaders bring with them deep institutional knowledge. Some have worked their way through operations, finance, customer service, or management before stepping into top roles. Others come from entirely different industries, shaped by varied career paths and experiences. Many are first-time entrepreneurs, while others are carrying forward multi-generational legacies. Together, they contribute to a business community that continues to evolve in depth, perspective, and management style.

What hasn’t changed, however, is the foundation upon which those businesses are built. A key aspect of conducting business in Kawartha Lakes is establishing strong connections within the community. Companies support local events, partner with neighbouring organizations, hire locally, and show up when it matters. As more women leaders emerge, they are participating in and contributing to that same tradition.

That community-first mindset also shapes how work gets done. The work in which we’re involved increasingly reflects collaboration, practical problem-solving, and a steady focus on long-term stability. There is rarely a single voice driving decisions. Instead, outcomes are shaped by multiple perspectives, which is part of what makes outcomes strong and sustainable.

From our perspective as a creative team, the growing range of voices at the leadership level has made our work more varied and interesting. Different experiences lead to different questions, priorities, and ways of approaching the same challenges. What existed before hasn’t been displaced — it’s been deepened.

Seventeen years in, the respected leaders who built this business community are still guiding it forward. Now, more women stand alongside them launching ventures, continuing family legacies, and shaping what comes next.