Our Team

PKED Leadership Team

Rhonda Keenan

President & CEO

705-743-0777 Ext. 2120

As President & CEO for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, Rhonda leads and mobilizes the organization to achieve its mission and vision. Works directly with the PKED team to the promote, facilitate and develop a strong unified economic development presence within the region. Working cooperatively with local municipalities, businesses and other organizations and stakeholders to ensure that business investment opportunities through the region are effectively developed and supported.

Suzanne McCrimmon

Director of Business Development

705-743-0777 ext. 2127
Cell: 705-872-6802

As Director of Business Development, Suzanne leads a team of Economic Development Officers to support and assist existing businesses, potential investors and local municipal initiatives.

Barb van Vierzen

Director of Operations

705-743-0777 Ext. 2162

As Director of Operations, Barb develops and manages the processes and support systems that help ensure the smooth functioning of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development organization so that staff can successfully fulfill their mission.

Tracie Bertrand

Director of Tourism and Communications

705-743-0777 Ext. 2129
Cell: 705-872-7926

As the Director of Tourism and Communications, Tracie coordinates the promotion of PKED and the services offered to targeted regional, national and global markets. Tracie also provides leadership to Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, the region's official destination marketing organization, in order to attract visitors and larger scale tourism-related investments to the local economy.

PKED Business Development Team

Joe Rees

Economic Development Officer - Tourism

705-743-0777 Ext. 2138

As Business Development Lead, I develop and convert leads and inquiries into investment expansion, job creation and development activities that ultimately help Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development fulfill its mission.

Madeleine Hurrell

Economic Development Officer
Business Advisory Centre

705-743-0777 x 2136
Cell: 705-875-5724

As the Economic Development Officer that oversees the Starter Company Plus and Summer Company programs, Madeleine leads the development of services for entrepreneurs and achieves the key goals and requirements of these two provincially funded programs.

Adam Edwards

As the Business Development Assistant, Adam supports the Business Development team in providing superior customer service and front line reception to PKED clients.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Team

Jaimie Eastabrook

Visitor Experience Officer

705-742-2201 Ext. 2141

As Visitor Experience Officer, Jaimie develops and implements tourism communications and programs to attract visitors, local residents and tourism related investments. Oversees the front line operations of the PKT Visitor Centre.

Susan Quinlan

Tourism Partnerships & Development Officer

705-742-2201 Ext. 2143

As Tourism Partnership & Development Officer, Susan leads partnership initiatives with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism to generate tourism product and program development that attracts visitors, local resident and larger-scale tourism related investments to the region.

Janai Eckhardt

Visitor Services Assistant
705-742-2201 ext 2157

As the Visitor Services Assistant, Janai serves as first point of contact and provides front line services within the PKT Visitor Centre to new and local visitors.

Operations Team

Aleks de Oliveira

Corporate Operations Coordinator

705-743-0777 Ext. 2122

As Corporate Operations Coordinator, Aleks leads key executive and administrative services to help ensure the smooth functioning of the organization. Provides essential support to the President/CEO as well as the PKED Board of Directors.

Gail Henderson Henderson

Corporate Finance Specialist

705-743-0777 Ext 2140

As the Corporate Financial Specialist, Gail oversees the daily financial operations and key activities of the corporation to assist staff in successfully fulfilling and achieving set targets and project goals. Gail also ensures that corporate expenditures are in compliance with policies and procedures.

Marketing & Communications Team

Kelly Jessup

Corporate Marketing Officer

705-743-0777 Ext. 2130
Cell: 705-749-7747

As Corporate Marketing Officer, Kelly leads the marketing development and promotion of core initiatives on a provincial, national and global level. Serves as first point of contact for all external media outlets and journalists.

Cara Walsh

Corporate Communications Officer

705-743-0777 Ext. 2116
Cell: 705-761-3683

As Corporate Communications Officer, I lead the promotion of Peterborough & the Kawarthas, partners, and stakeholders to targeted regional, national and global markets as well as lead communications of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development Business Development programs and initiatives.

Alyssa Cymbalista

Corporate Digital Media Coordinator

705-743-0777 ext. 2175
Cell: 705-875-2330

As Corporate Digital Media Coordinator, Alyssa supports the marketing and communications efforts of PKED overseeing the social media accounts. Serves as the main contact for the digital voice of the corporation online.