Jim Russell, CEO – One of Peterborough’s Top 20 Most Influential

Peterborough This Week’s annual Top 20 includes a familiar face this year. Jim Russell, CEO United Way Peterborough & District hit this year’s list at number 6.

“The collection of names and personalities is a definitive guide to the power structure of this community. While some will (and have) taken exception to who cracked our top 20, few can argue with the impact each individual has on shaping our community,” says the local paper’s Editor, Mike Lacey.

Mr. Russell shared the Top 20 with a selection of local politicians, philanthropists, business minds, lobbyists and a young scientist who also made Canada’s Top 20 under 20 for his research on cancer treatment.

“The depth of commitment and influence in our community is certainly much larger than 20. I am sure everyone on the list would agree what a privilege it is to serve and live in such a fine place as Peterborough,” says Russell.

Jim arrived in Peterborough almost 3 years ago to assume the CEO position at United Way and has been frequently quoted for wanting this to be his last job.

“It’s always humbling to be recognized, especially among a group of such august peers, but I credit the hard work of United Way staff, Board, volunteers, and the hard work of our leaders among our partner agencies who deliver such tremendous service to the community,” Russell added.

Top 20 selection criteria includes;

  •  Candidates must live in the City or County of Peterborough
  •  The decisions they make impact a large number of individuals
  •  They are leaders within their respective fields
  •  They increase the chances of a project’s success by becoming involved.

Social Posts

Happy Family Day!

Today, we celebrate the love, support, and strength that families bring to our communities.

This year, we’ve investing in parenting supports for new and expecting parents, building strong and healthy communities where children, families and you can thrive.

Every act of care helps build stronger, more connected neighbourhoods 🏠.
For 1 in 4 Canadians who menstruate, period products aren't always in the budget. You can help address period poverty in our community by contributing to our Period Promise campaign.

This year, we're sharing our running total by item type on our website [link in bio], so you can see what we have, and what we still need, as we aim to offer a greater diversity of product to residents experiencing period poverty. - We're also accepting monetary donations, which will allow us to purchase items in bulk.

Product donations will be accepted at the United Way office (277 Stewart Street), Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM until Friday March 13. [Please note: We are closed February 16 for Family Day, and February 26 for Peterborough Performs and will not be present to accept drop offs.] 

If you’d like to get more involved with our 2026 Period Promise campaign, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team! We’d be happy to help you setup a collection at your workplace, share educational resources, or chat about any other ideas you may have.
From Campaign Launch to now - this community keeps showing up. We’re in the final stretch of our Community Campaign, and every act of generosity still matters ❤️!
When words aren’t enough to express how you feel, show your love with tickets to United Way Peterborough & District’s 50/50 raffle! 💖

For the month of love, we’re offering a guaranteed grand prize of ✨$1,000✨ A prize so irresistible, we wouldn’t blame you if you grabbed a few tickets for yourself too. 

👉 Still wondering if you should enter? Just know, that even if you don’t win, your community will. Fifty percent of the proceeds from every ticket sold go directly back to our community so we get the chance to spread the love throughout Peterborough.

🔗 Follow the link in our bio to enter our February 27th draw
🎉 Sponsor Spotlight: Friends of the Stage 🎉

💛 A huge thank you to our Friend of the Stage – Supporting Sponsors for stepping up in support of housing and homelessness initiatives in our community. Your contribution helps make this event possible, and we’re proud to celebrate you at the event and through our virtual auction presented by @llf_lawyers_llp (which launches in less than a week)!

Want to support this work and enjoy an incredible night of local live music and impact?

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — grab yours and join us at the show on Thursday, February 27th from 7-11pm @ptboshowplace 

🔗 Link in bio
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