Speakers

Our guest speaker is Zahra Shafiei who is Director of Programs at the Innovation Cluster, where she leads both international and domestic entrepreneurship programs. Her work focuses on creating impactful learning experiences for founders, helping them move from early stage to market launch and sustainable growth. She'll be speaking about how the Innovation Cluster helps our community.

Before moving to Canada, Zahra worked as a civil engineer. She later completed her Master of Engineering in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). Since then, she has been working with startups and small businesses, supporting their growth and development. Zahra joined the Innovation Cluster in 2023 as the Startup Visa Program Manager and Early-Stage Startup Advisor, and now continues her work as Director of Program.

She’s passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, building meaningful connections in the community, and helping new ideas turn into real impact.

Please Note: Our meetings aren’t open to the general public, so attendance is limited to visiting Rotarians, invited guests of a member, the guest of the speaker, or those who have been invited by our membership chair. If you would like to attend this meeting as a Guest, please email contact@peterboroughrotary.ca

Deadline for optional Lunch order ($20) is Thursday at noon the week before the meeting or you may bring your own meals at no charge.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82832051360?pwd=LzRYcGZsTjYrUk5BYTd1WHYySWpKdz09

Kevin Donovan is the Toronto Star’s Chief Investigative Reporter. His focus is on journalism that exposes wrongdoing and effects change. Over more than three decades, he has reported on the activities of charities, government, police, and business, among other institutions. Donovan also reported from the battlefields in the Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan following 9/11. He has won three National Newspaper Awards, two Governor General’s Michener Awards, the Canadian Journalism Foundation award and three Canadian Association of Journalists Awards. As the Star’s editor of investigations for many years, Donovan led many award-winning projects for the paper. He is the author of several books, including “Secret Life: The Jian Ghomeshi Investigation” and the “Dead Times” (a fiction novel). Kevin will join our meeting by Zoom.

Please Note: Our meetings aren’t open to the general public, so attendance is limited to visiting Rotarians, invited guests of a member, the guest of the speaker, or those who have been invited by our membership chair. If you would like to attend this meeting as a Guest, please email contact@peterboroughrotary.ca

Deadline for optional Lunch order ($20) is Thursday at noon the week before the meeting or you may bring your own meals at no charge.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82832051360?pwd=LzRYcGZsTjYrUk5BYTd1WHYySWpKdz09

Drew Monkman is a lifelong naturalist, author, columnist, climate communicator, and retired French Immersion teacher. He is a graduate of Université Laval in Quebec City and the University of Toronto. For more than two decades, Drew led the development of a schoolyard naturalization project and outdoor classroom at Edmison Heights Public School, helping to foster hands-on environmental learning.

An active community educator, Drew participates in bird monitoring and other citizen science programs, leads local nature walks, and uses his platform to raise awareness about climate change and the importance of connecting people—especially young people—with the natural world. He maintains an active social media presence and website  at drewmonkman.com, where he shares his columns, photography, and climate-related information.

Drew is a long-time member of the Peterborough Field Naturalists and the local climate advocacy group For Our Grandchildren. In recognition of his contributions to environmental education and conservation, he received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Trent University in 2015. His other passions include the Spanish language and travelling throughout Latin America.

Please Note: Our meetings aren’t open to the general public, so attendance is limited to visiting Rotarians, invited guests of a member, the guest of the speaker, or those who have been invited by our membership chair. If you would like to attend this meeting as a Guest, please email contact@peterboroughrotary.ca

Deadline for optional Lunch order ($20) is Thursday at noon the week before the meeting or you may bring your own meals at no charge.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82832051360?pwd=LzRYcGZsTjYrUk5BYTd1WHYySWpKdz09

Please Note: Our meetings aren’t open to the general public, so attendance is limited to visiting Rotarians, invited guests of a member, the guest of the speaker, or those who have been invited by our membership chair. If you would like to attend this meeting as a Guest, please email contact@peterboroughrotary.ca

Deadline for optional Lunch order ($20) is Thursday at noon the week before the meeting or you may bring your own meals at no charge.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82832051360?pwd=LzRYcGZsTjYrUk5BYTd1WHYySWpKdz09

Join us to hear from John Boyko who has written editorials for newspapers across the country, writes for the online Canadian Encyclopedia, and has spoken across Canada and on radio and television addressing his books and current political affairs. The Globe and Mail has called John, “a distinguished scholar of Canadian political history.”

John was born in Hamilton, grew up in Peterborough, and has degrees from Trent, Queen’s, and McMaster Universities. He is a retired educator and administrator, has served on and chaired many boards, and is currently Selwyn Township’s Lakefield Ward Councilor. John lives in Lakefield.

John has written nine books addressing Canadian history and politics including the national bestseller Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation, that was shortlisted for a Governor General’s award, and The Devil’s Trick: How Canada Fought the Vietnam War. He will be addressing his new book: In Pursuit of Tomorrow: The Inventive Life of Sir Sandford Fleming.

Please Note: Our meetings aren’t open to the general public, so attendance is limited to visiting Rotarians, invited guests of a member, the guest of the speaker, or those who have been invited by our membership chair. If you would like to attend this meeting as a Guest, please email contact@peterboroughrotary.ca

Deadline for optional Lunch order ($20) is Thursday at noon the week before the meeting or you may bring your own meals at no charge.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82832051360?pwd=LzRYcGZsTjYrUk5BYTd1WHYySWpKdz09