JA-NEO Unveils Class of 2025 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s exceptional business leaders into the class of 2025 10th Annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

Toni and Kelli Grady; Donnell Leahy, Natalie McMaster and Julia Leahy and Margo and Paul Hudson were absent from the event. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at The Venue on May 29. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“JA-NEO is excited to unveil the 10th annual class of inductees to join our ever-growing Business Hall of Fame as we mark our 10th induction ceremony this May,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. “As we celebrate 10 years of our Business Hall of Fame, we are thrilled to welcome our biggest class yet who are helping to inspire and show local youth that starting their own business can be rewarding and last multiple generations much like the business leaders being honored today.”

The 2025 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees for Peterborough are:

• Darrell Junkin, Craftworks at the Barn

• Toni and Kelli Grady, Grady Feet Essentials

• Grant Seabrooke, Machine Dynamics Ltd.

• Matt Holmes and Michael Riseley, Holmes Riseley LLP

• Donnell Leahy, Natalie McMaster and Julia Leahy, Natalie Donnell Entertainment

• Margo and Paul Hudson, Jo Anne’s Place Health Foods

• Nancy Wiskel, Dan Joyce Clothing

• Martin and Kelly Carbajal, La Mesita Restaurante

• Drew Merrett, Merrett Home Hardware Building Centre

• Diane Richard, Diatom Consulting

• Raj Patel, Ennismore Foodland

• Peter, Rita, Michael, Eric and Graeme Eatson, Peterborough Volkswagen

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JA NEO Launches 'When I Grow Up' Campaign to Aid Youth With Tools For Their Future Careers

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA NEO) has launched its ‘When I Grow Up’ campaign to inspire and empower youth with the tools and knowledge to explore and pursue their future careers, announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday.

John McNutt, JA-NEO President and CEO making the announcement at the Venture North Building. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The campaign promotes financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship among young people, helping them envision and achieve their full potential according to John McNutt, JA-NEO President and CEO.

“The ‘When I Grow Up’ campaign is designed to address the root causes of systemic poverty, homelessness, youth unemployment and underemployment by equipping students with practical skills and experiences,” he said. “Through interactive workshops, mentorship programs and real-world career exploration opportunities, JA NEO is dedicated to preparing a financially informed generation for success, shielding them from systemic poverty and homelessness.”

JA NEO’s programs teach financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship to youth in grades 3 to 12.

JA NEO also introduced its Holiday Matching Gift Initiative, where every dollar donated until Dec. 31 will be tripled (up to $40,000). This was possible by matching donors such as Alf Curtis Home Improvements Inc., Peterborough Truss & Floor Ltd., and Peterborough & Distinct Construction Association.

Anyone can donate to the cause by clicking the link.

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Ontario Government Invests Nearly $250,000 For Youth Support Pathways In Skilled Trades.

The Ontario government is investing $241,280 through the Skills Development Training Stream in the Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) World of Choices Program, announced on Friday morning.

Since its launch in 2021, Ontario’s Skills Development Fund has helped connect more than half a million jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying and fulfilling careers close to home. Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is proud to invest in programs that support training and developing career pathways,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We are happy to support JA-NEO as an exceptional organization that are dedicated to running programs that develop our future workforce and provide young people with real-life exposure to a wide variety of skilled trades jobs.”

JA-NEO is focused on inspiring and preparing young people to succeed by providing them with opportunities to learn financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills.

The funding helps JA-NEO run programs throughout the 2024/25 school year that will reach over 2000 full-time students and youth according to a press release. The focus of these programs will be to educate and help students understand the importance of skilled trades. Participants will be linked with community and business leaders to familiarize themselves with potential career pathways and access a real-world glimpse into various careers.

Ontario supports JA-NEO’s innovative plans to reach youth from different communities and populations experiencing unique barriers that limit pathways into skilled trades careers. JA-NEO will work with schools across Northumberland and Peterborough to provide inclusive environments with equitable engagement and learning opportunities in skilled trades.

“At JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO), we are often the first point of contact with students surrounding skills in Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Readiness.” John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “With funding from the Skills Development Fund, JA-NEO is continuing to be at the forefront of exposing and providing experiential learning opportunities and essential skills to youth that are needed within the skilled trades sector. By working alongside our industry partners across all Northern and Eastern Ontario we are helping to close the skilled trades gap.”

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JA-NEO and CPD Partner To Launch Accessible Welding Program at Fleming College

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) and the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) have launched the Accessible Welding Program in partnership with Employment Ontario and Fleming College on Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

The program is aimed at creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to pursue careers in the skilled trades according to a press release.

The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of individuals with disabilities in the trades by providing accessible training and support.

“We are thrilled to launch this innovative program in partnership with the Council for Persons with Disabilities, Employment Ontario and Fleming College,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “By fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the skilled trades, we can unlock the potential of individuals with disabilities and strengthen our workforce.”

The specialized curriculum will have tailored support services for the participants as they will gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the welding profession.

“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their career aspirations, regardless of disability," said Rachel Quilty of CPD. “Through the Accessible Welding Program, we aim to dismantle barriers and create pathways to success for individuals with disabilities in the trades.”

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JA-NEO Unveil Kawartha Lakes Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s Kawartha Lakes exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 second-annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Launch Kawartha in Lindsay on Wednesday morning.

Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at Mackey Celebrations in Lindsay on May 9. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the second consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”

2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees:

• Brad Bird: Birdhouse Realty

• John Fox: Boston Pizza Lindsay

• Kyle Hussey: Waste Logix Inc

• Linden Mackey: Mackey Funeral Home Inc. and Mackey Celebrations

• Marlene Morrison Nicholls: Stewart Morrison Insurance

• Anthony and Carlo Polito: Polito Ford Lincoln & Kawartha Lakes Honda

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JA-NEO Unveils Class of 2024 Business Hall of Fame Inductees

Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has revealed this year’s exceptional business leaders into the class of 2024 Ninth Annual JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame (BHF), announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The nominees are being inducted at an event at The Venue on May 23. Each year, JA-NEO highlights nominees and their contributions that have significantly impacted the local business landscape, according to a press release.

“We are thrilled to unveil the distinguished class of inductees for the ninth consecutive year,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO CEO and president. These outstanding business leaders exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, demonstrating to local youth that building a successful business is both attainable and rewarding, with the potential to span generations.”

The 2024 JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame Inductees for Peterborough are:

• Tim Barrie: Merrit Precision Limited

• John Cunningham: Community Alternative, Ashburnham Funeral Home, Kawartha Aquamtion

• Gwyneth James: Formerly Cody & James Chartered Professional Accountants, Silverthorn Management Consulting

• Richard Labelle: The UK Shoppe

• Jill and Robert Staples: Staples Maple Syrup

• Jeanine Taylor: KawarthaNOW

• Nicole Truman: Fox Law Professional Corporation

• Cora Whittington: Golden Pathways Coaching, Facilitation, Retreat, and B & B.

• Andrew Winslow, Chris Winslow, Mike Winslow, Steve Gerolamy and Tom Gerolamy: Winslow Gerolamy Motors Limited

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Nominations Open For JA-Neo 2024 Business Hall of Fame

Nominations for JA - Northern and Eastern Ontario’s (JA-NEO) 2024 Business Hall of Fame (BHF) are open for both Peterborough and the City of Kawartha Lakes, announced on Wednesday.

The 2023 inductees of Ja-Neo’s Business Hall of Fame. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

JA-NNEO is looking for individuals who have had a significant impact on the community's economic growth through their entrepreneurial pursuits. JA-NEO continues to mention that nominees should be esteemed members of the community whose leadership, vision and dedication to excellence have bolstered the economy and society.

“The BHF event allows JA-NEO to recruit vital volunteers, investors, and partners to help deliver programs at no cost to students or schools,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO President and C.E.O. “Proceeds from the event help JA-NEO meet the growing demand for financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs, providing essential support to facilitate the future success of every JA-NEO student.”

Nominations close on Nov. 24 at 3:00 p.m. Nomination forms can be found online. Successful nominees will be announced at a formal announcement in the new year and will be officially inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame in the Spring.

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Junior Achievement Receives $172,500 As Skills Development Fund From the Provincial Government

The Ontario government has invested $172,500.00 in Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA NEO) to help students engage with information and pilot programs to cultivate interest and education in skilled trades at the Peterborough Truss & Floor on Thursday morning.

Youth under the JA Neo program developed their own business ‘Fresh Picked Feats’ that sells locally-grown vegetables and had their products showcased during the press conference. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The money helps JA NEO educate and help students understand the importance of skilled trades. Kids will work with community and business leaders to help youth understand and activate their potential for the jobs of tomorrow by extending their programs and focus on skilled trades for full-time students.

“There was always going to be a demand for somebody in skilled trades. It doesn't matter what the economy is doing, we need plumbers, we need electricians, we need carpenters because these are all things we use on a daily basis” explained Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “It not only provides a job but a career path for your entire life.”

“Explore other opportunities that are out there. Not all trades jobs are dirty,” said John McNutt, JA Neo president and CEO. “It's a different world out there and just ask them to take a look.”

The youth also will be involved in JA NEO’s World of Choices Program to be exposed to potential career paths, understanding day-to-day tasks in a variety of careers while learning about and challenging the myths surrounding them.

They can also learn how to organize and operate a business related to a very important sector of our economy.

“Having programs like this available to our youth will set them on a path to be able to prosper in the future,” said Smith. “Ontario’s skilled trades are vital to the growth of the economy and our government’s ‘Plan to Build’, offering careers that lead to secure jobs and a good quality life.”

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Local Business Owner Allan Hill Named JA-NEO's Volunteer of the Year

In recognition of his commitment and support, JA Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) has announced that Allan Hill has been awarded Volunteer of the Year.

Since 2013, Allan has been an avid JA supporter and has volunteered his time and resources to a wide range of JA programs, including JA Days, JA Career Tour and World of Choices. Photo courtesy of JA-NEO.

“On behalf of JA-NEO, I am honoured to recognize Allan for his ongoing contributions,” said John McNutt, JA-NEO president and CEO. “From providing food and refreshments to sharing his business experience with students from across our region, his contributions have continued to make a positive impact and we are grateful for his support.”

Allan has worked for Domino’s Pizza for over 30 years and owns multiple franchise stores throughout the Peterborough area.

“As a volunteer, Allan has dedicated countless hours to programs that drive the success of youth in our region,” said McNutt. “He recognizes that we all have a role to play in helping the next generation progress on the road to success. Allan continues to be an outstanding mentor and business leader who guides those around him and helps them achieve lifelong success.”

In 2021, Allan was inducted into the JA-NEO Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to youth in the region and his success in his business ventures according to a press release.

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Local Students Mentored In World of Choices Program To Explore Future Career Options

Over 200 local students learned from over 25 mentors at the Junior Achievement of Northern and Eastern Ontario (JA-NEO) World of Choices program about career paths at Living Hope Church on Thursday.

Ja-NEO held a similar event in early March with the Peterborough Petes at the Peterbrorough Memorial Centre. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

Students ranged from grades 8 to 10 from schools such as St. Martin’s, Adam Scott, Monsignor O’Donoghue and more. Each student listened to five different mentors to gain first-hand insight into career options, benefits and career challenges. Peterborough Fire Department, Peterboro Matboards and RBC were some of the many mentors present.

WOC is a career exploration event aimed at helping students discover new career choices and learn from local industry professionals. Students had the opportunity to get familiar with potential educational paths and grasp a better understanding of the day-to-day duties of several careers.

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