2016 Campaign Chair Announcement

Gwyneth James, 2016 Campaign Chair (center), Bob Marshall, James' partner (left), Mitchell, James' son (right)

Gwyneth James, 2016 Campaign Chair (center), Bob Marshall (James’ partner, left), Mitchell (James’ son, right)

Jim Russell, CEO United Way Peterborough & District announced today at the United Way office on Stewart Street that local accountant and entrepreneur, Gwyneth James, MBA CPA, CGA would Chair the 2016 Community Campaign.

Russell made the announcement saying, “Gwyneth is a well-respected community and business leader, she approaches all tasks with a focus and determination which inspires.”

Gwyneth was born in British Columbia and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science and Microbiology in 1985; later coming east to the University of Ottawa to complete her MBA in Finance in 1993. Gwyneth continued her education receiving her Certified General Accountants Designation in 1997. She eventually took on the role of Controller and Manager, Business Development at Nexicom for 11 years and then made an entrepreneurial leap into Financial Consulting and Accounting as a Partner at Cody & James CPAs in early 2009.

Gwyneth has devoted countless hours to our community through a variety of local organizations including; Women’s Business Network, Community Futures Development Corporation, Peterborough Economic Development, Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, Fleming College, Five Counties Children’s Centre Foundation, Peterborough Theatre Guild, and Peterborough Symphony Orchestra; some in roles as Board Chair and President; including Past Board Chair and Cabinet Member of United Way Peterborough. Gwyneth is a natural and well-respected leader.

Gwyneth believes it takes a whole community to build a strong community. “A strong economy is only half of the equation. We need to leverage the strengths, experiences and expertise of everyone if we are to succeed. Having been involved with the United Way for many years in the past, I’ve seen firsthand the power of the organization and I strongly believe in its direction and reach,” says James. “Chairing the 2016 Campaign is a wonderful opportunity to combine my passion for business development with helping all our community’s citizens become healthy contributing members of society. I’m humbled by the responsibility of the role and what it means to so many in our community,” James added.

Gwyneth brings a passion to both her work and volunteer activities, affirms Russell, “Reflecting on United Way’s 75 years in our community, we looked for an individual who is well respected and a leader.

Media Coverage

Gwyneth James will lead this year’s United Way campaign in Peterborough – Peterborough This Week, March 31, 2016

Gwyneth James to chair 2016 United Way campaign – Peterborough Examiner, March 31, 2016

United Way Names 2016 Campaign Chair – 90.5 Extra Peterborough, March 31, 2016

James named United Way community campaign chairperson – CHEX Television, March 31, 2016

Social Posts

🚚 Moving thousands of school supplies to fill more than 400 backpacks for local students is made easy thanks to the help of our wonderful friends @autoconnectsales 

✏️Thank you to Cheryl, Martin and the whole team for your support our of Backpacks for Success program. Your generosity makes a real difference in our community!
🎉 PTBO & COUNTY, SAVE THE DATE! 🎉

We’re kicking off something special. 85 years of United Way Peterborough & District and we want you to be there! 

Join us for our 2026 Campaign Launch, presented by Miskin Law [@miskinlaw] as we officially launch this year’s campaign and celebrate the incredible community that has carried the work of United Way forward for 85 years. ❤️

We’re especially excited to welcome 2026 Campaign Chair Tiffany Arcari [@_thetiffanyshow] whose leadership will help guide this year’s campaign, alongside Jason Seguya, our new CEO, as he joins our community for his first Campaign Launch in his new role. Let’s make it a special one😁📣!

📅 September 17, 2026
⏰ 12:00 - 1:30 [doors open at 11:30]
📍 Healthy Planet Arena

More details — including tickets — at the link🔗 in our bio!

85 years united. One community. A campaign to remember.
✨ Half the world is under 30. In Canada, that’s 35% of us.

Young people aren’t just the future, they’re changemakers right now. 💪

On #InternationalYouthDay, United Way Peterborouh & District celebrates their leadership, their courage, and their vision for a better world. 🌟💛
🎒🚗 What a day! We filled the Fords and our hearts @autoconnectsales

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to Fill the Fords on Saturday, donated supplies, volunteered, sponsored the event, grabbed a BBQ lunch courtesy of @kingstmarket, enjoyed some ice cream from @central_smith, and helped us celebrate the incredible generosity of our community.

We’re so grateful to Auto Connect Sales, our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, media friends, and every single person who helped make this day possible. Your support will help local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and ready to learn.

But we’re not done yet! 🎒

There’s still time to help. If you haven’t had a chance to donate, we’re collecting new backpacks and school supplies at the United Way Peterborough & District office and at participating community collection locations until THIS FRIDAY, August 14!

Every backpack, every box of crayons, every notebook and every donation helps us get closer to ensuring local students have the tools they need to succeed.

✨Comment “BACK TO SCHOOL” and we’ll send you the full list of participating businesses running supply drives.
Exciting News! 💫 The Reaching Home deadline has been extended!

Applicants now have until Wednesday, August 19 to submit your proposals.

Please keep in mind: 
👉 Applications will be reviewed based on alignment to the following community priorities:
• Creating, preserving, and enabling equitable access to housing
• Eviction prevention
• Outreach
👉 Funding covers the period October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028
👉 New application deadline August 19, 2026

ℹ️ What is Reaching Home? It's a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs.

Apply today at uwpeterborough.ca
We 💙 GM Financial!

A huge thank you to our friends at GM Financial for dropping off our first Backpacks for Success donations of the season! We’re so grateful for partnerships like these in our community. 

💡 As part of their workplace drive, employees received a work from home day in exchange for making a donation. What a creative way to encourage workplace giving!

Our Backpacks for Success supply drives wrap up on August 14, but there is still time to help! Join us on August 8 at Auto Connect Sales for our Fill the Fords event. We’ll be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting school supplies, so stop by, say hello, and help us fill the Fords! 👋🎒
We’re growing, evolving, and looking for an experienced Director, Finance & Administration to join our Senior Leadership Team.

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of United Way Peterborough & District by providing strategic leadership across finance, administration, governance, and organizational operations, ensuring we remain a strong and sustainable partner for our community.

📍 Peterborough, ON
💼 Full-time
💰 Starting salary: $83,106; salary range up to $93,536
📅 Apply by August 14, 2026

Interested or know someone who’d be a great fit? Visit our website [link in bio] to learn more and apply, and please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity within your networks.
❤️Won’t you be our neighbour? 

Stay tuned, @_thetiffanyshow will be sharing the full story (and her inspiring Campaign Chair speech) soon. You won’t want to miss this!

#CertifiedNeighbour #UnitedWayPTBO
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