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Board of Directors
The Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO) Network is a regional, not-for-profit membership association comprised of the 15 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) of Eastern Ontario. The CFDCs are independent, community-based, not-for-profit organizations staffed by knowledgeable professionals who advance entrepreneurship, small business development and the pursuit of economic opportunities in their communities. The CFEO Network’s Board of Directors is a governing Board made up of a composition of Executive Directors/General Managers of the CFDC offices, volunteer Directors currently holding a seat on the Board of Directors of a CFDC office, and independent Directors. If you are interested in learning more about our CFEO Network Board of Directors, or wish to submit an application for a volunteer Board position, please email info@cfeasternontario.ca.
Executive
Wendy Stone, Chair
Director
Shai Dubey, Interim Vice-Chair
Director
Greg Pietersma, Secretary/Treasurer
Director
Directors
Wendy Curtis
Director
Devon Jones
Director
Katie Nolan
Director
Judith Pineault
Director
Dan Ruby
Director
Patti Tallman
Director
Staff
Cyndy Palleske
Executive Director
T: 705 486 5548 | Email: cpalleske@cfeasternontario.ca
Cyndy joined CFEO in 2022 and has strong roots in Eastern Ontario. She is passionate about supporting businesses and economic growth, leveraging over 3 decades of senior executive experience in the manufacturing and non-profit sectors. She is committed to driving regional and provincial economic initiatives. She has served previously as a volunteer board director for Community Futures Peterborough, and is currently a director on the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council (EOLC) board. Her combined background and experiences across multiple sectors gives Cyndy unique insight into developing strong partnerships and helping businesses grow through connections with regional, provincial, and federal support systems.
Michelle Cathers
SOFII Program Manager
T: 705 486 5557 | Email: mcathers@cfeasternontario.ca
Michelle Cathers has been the SOFII Program Manager with Community Futures Eastern Ontario since June 2017. She is well versed in Commercial Lending and managing client relationships, having gained significant experience from her previous 11-year tenure at CF Peterborough. She is a knowledge expert in the business funding ecosystem and passionate about helping companies and entrepreneurs succeed.
Molly Galvin
Program Coordinator/Business Analyst
T: 705 707 1974 | Email: mgalvin@cfeasternontario.ca
Molly joins Community Futures Eastern Ontario as a Program Coordinator/Business Analyst. A Peterborough native, she has a background in Applied Economics and Psychology from Queen’s University, where she also served as President of the Economics Society. With expertise in data analytics, consumer trends, and client relations, Molly will work closely with Michelle Cathers to support regional business growth and enhance program development.
Leslie Worsfold
Office Administrator/Bookkeeper
T: 705 486 5549 | Email: lworsfold@cfeasternontario.ca
Leslie brings extensive experience in Bookkeeping/Office Administration from varied sectors where she was able to contribute to not only the day-to-day operation but the overall financial health of the businesses as part of a strong management team. Leslie attended Fleming College at the beginning of her career and very excited to have returned to the area in 2022 and made Peterborough her home.
Nikki Spensieri
Marketing and Communications
T: 705 486 5551 | Email: nspensieri@cfeasternontario.ca
Nikki brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing and community engagement to CFEO. Having spent most of her life in the Kawartha Lakes region, she’s deeply passionate about supporting rural and small-to-medium-sized businesses — a perfect match for CFEO’s mission. Nikki’s creative outreach skills and enthusiasm for design will help us continue driving economic growth and supporting entrepreneurs across Eastern Ontario.rica Tripp
Erica Tripp - Marketing and Communications
T: 705 486 5551 | Email: etripp@cfeasternontario.ca
Erica is an experienced digital marketer with a passion for design and events and enjoys building lasting relationships with the small-medium businesses and CFDCs we assist across Southeastern Ontario.
Community Futures Program
Each CFDC is a community-based, not-for-profit organization governed by a board of local volunteers. They are dedicated to helping small and medium sized businesses access services and capital, as well as enhancing their community’s economic and employment growth through community-based planning and economic development initiatives. Through FedDev Ontario, the Government of Canada provides funding, advice and support. There are 60 CFDCs across Ontario and 267 CFDCs across rural Canada.
CFDCs Offer the Following Services:
- Strategic community planning and socio-economic development
- Support for community-based projects
- Business Services and Counselling
- Business Loans up to $150,000 ($300,000 on exception)
Please contact your local CFDC office or click here for a complete listing of CFDC offices throughout Eastern Ontario.
Find a CFDC Location
CFDCs Offer the Following Services:
- Strategic community planning and socio-economic development
- Support for community-based projects
- Business Services and Counselling
- Business Loans up to $150,000 ($300,000 on exception)
Eastern Ontario Development Program Supports Healthcare Simulation Centre of Excellence at St. Lawrence College
The Eastern Ontario CFDC Network is pleased to announce that St. Lawrence College will receive up to $292,000 for a labour force development project to create and sustain a Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Simulation.
NobleGen
Without EODP funding, NobleGen would never had the opportunity to move to the next stage.
Georgina Trades Training Inc.
The funding and management support that we have received from South Lake CFDC was instrumental in getting this community based project up and running.