2012 Judges

Patricia Aspin-Lecour

Patricia Aspin-Lecour is the Executive Director of NECO community Futures Development Corporation and is a native of North Bay. Patricia has been working at NECO for the past 20 years, proactively promoting economic development in the region of East Nipissing. As well, Patricia acts as a liaison with governmental institutions, townships, villages and non-organized areas in the region to help facilitate forums, meetings, and projects and provide funding to businesses for start-up and expansion. Patricia has also volunteered with the Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation . She is a member and former Treasurer of the 406 Squadron. She was also the Past Chair of the North East Ontario Development Network of CFDC's. Patricia was instrumental in the development of the Stepping Stones Business Incubator in North Bay which gave many businesses the opportunity to operate in a shared location. Patricia has two children, David and Katie and is the proud grandmother to Dean.

Laurie Bissonette

Laurie is a partner with KPMG LLP Chartered Accountants.

Laurie didn't always think she would be an accountant. She is a proud graduate of Laurentian University, with a bachelor of science focusing on mathematics and physics.

Laurie started out working at various racetracks as an Ontario Racing Commission judge. She is proud to have been the first woman to hold such a position in North America.

Laurie has worked on many community initiatives. She led the Laurentian University Alumni 50th Anniversary celebrations. She coordinates training in financial acumen for youth with the Children's Aid Society. She has been the treasurer with many boards over the years, including the Kidney Foundation, the Laurentian Hospital Foundation, the Industrial Training Centre for Women and the Adanac Ski Club, and has advised many others, including the Northern Ontario School of Architecture. Laurie has been blessed to work with many great Sudburians on fundraising efforts for boards with which she was involved, as well as for Cambrian College and the Sudbury YMCA.

Barb Courte

Barb is the president and CEO of two drilling companies, North Star Drilling and Cobra Diamond Drilling Ltd. She has two drills that are currently working in the Dominican Republic. With six drill rigs and more than 60 employees working for her, Barb is known as a tough, but fair, boss, who operates a closely knit workforce. Barb is a fierce advocate of First Nation training and development. Her companies hire and train locally, and Barb has sponsored the helper common core courses at Confederation College, even donating a drill for their training, and often hiring graduates. She has a desire to educate the public about the important role mining plays in Canada.

Donating to local charities, consulting with municipal government and forming Women in Mining in Northwestern Ontario are amongst the successes she's achieved. Though Barb's business is stable and successful now, it hasn't been easy. As one of a few women in a male-dominated field, Barb has endured many ups and downs. But perseverance and the will to find something positive in every day has helped Barb overcome those obstacles.

Dawn Willoughby

Dawn is a graduate of Confederation College's business program, joining Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF) in September 2000 to work with the Aboriginal Business Canada Program as administrative assistant. In 2008, she left that position to take on a new and exciting role as executive assistant to NADF's president and CEO. Since 2008, she has provided executive support to NADF's former president and CEO, the interim general manager, and now to NADF's newly appointed executive director. In her role as executive assistant, Dawn also manages and coordinates the organization's day-to-day marketing and communication activities.

Dawn is of the Ojibway Nation and is a member of Whitesand First Nation. She is the proud mother of two handsome young men and has been married to her loving husband and best friend for more than 23 years. Outside the office Dawn enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends. Her hobbies include reading, running, biking and billiards.