Business Citizen of the Year

The owner of Peterborough’s only immigrant settlement service agency has been named the 2019 Business Citizen of the Year. Carmela Valles earned the prestigious title at the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards at Showplace Performance Centre Wednesday evening. She runs Carmela Valles Immigration Consulting and has dedicated her 30 years in Peterborough toward helping newcomers feel at home. Valles, 50, said she was surprised by the win. “I was just doing my business quietly,” Valles said, humbly. The Filipino native moved to the city in 1990 to study at Trent University. That same year she met her husband, Ramon, who’s also from the Philippines. They have two kids, Katrina, 20, and Ben, 18. In 1994, she graduated with a bachelor of arts in sociology and international development studies. Despite having a degree and speaking English fluently, Valles had a difficult time finding work afterwards. Not only was the economy struggling, but Valles said employers weren’t quite sure what to do with immigrants. However, the shift in attitude has changed significantly over the years, which she’s happy about. “I’m proud that Peterborough, where and when it matters, steps up.” In 1997, Valles joined the New Canadians Centre (NCC) as the host program co-ordinator. Three years later, she became the executive director. During her tenure, the NCC’s staff grew from four to 15 employees, the core services and budget tripled, and a satellite office opened in Cobourg. Many programs and services were added, too, so the nonprofit could better meet the language, educational, employment and settlement needs of new Canadians. She co-founded the Peterborough Immigration Partnership (PIP) in 2008, where she now sits as vice-chair. After leaving the NCC in 2009, Valles opened her consulting business to welcome new arrivals and increase community development. She said newcomer immigration is key to the community’s future. “Newcomers have a vital role to play in community building. Immigrants and refugees are not just users of service, but they also drive the business. They are consumers.” Valles’ volunteer work in the community stretches far and wide with involvement in the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, ReFrame Film Festival, Trent Centre for Community-based Education, and the Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee. She currently sits on the board of directors for the Kawartha World Issues Centre and the Northumberland Hispanic Multicultural Club. Earlier this year, Valles created the Dindin Villarino fund – in memory of her late sister – at the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough. It supports programs and services for newcomers, women and children and fosters creative writing and literacy. To Valles, being named the Business Citizen of the Year means recognition and support for the work she does. Because her professional and personal life are often intertwined – especially in the Filipino community – the award also means more to her than just business recognition. “It is a recognition, really, of my presence in the community and says to me that I am welcome.”