Kim Rudd Biography
Kim grew up a small community near Barrie, Ontario. She and her husband Tom moved to Northumberland County over 30 years ago, and since then they have raised two children and helped build this area into the vibrant community it is today.
When Kim and a friend saw the need for a not-for-profit child care centre, they opened Cook’s School Day Care in Hamilton Township in 1985. Today the day care centre has two locations, a licensed home child care agency, and employs over 35 people.
When Kim saw the need for better management of volunteer organizations, she worked with the volunteer leadership board development program for the United Way in Haliburton, Victoria and Peterborough counties. This program, teaches board of director members of not-for-profit organizations about their roles and responsibilities, strategic planning, and management skills. At the same time, she and a colleague organized the first Home Child Care Training Programs in Northumberland County.
Kim’s abilities as a training manager and an educator led her to become the owner of Willis College (formerly Trillium College) in Cobourg, and to start NC Training, a corporate training company. Willis College was the first private career college accredited by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in Northumberland County. It employs 15 people, and fills a void for recognized, comprehensive, and high quality post-secondary career training in the area.
Kim’s drive and energy has shown itself in the many ways she has served our community. She volunteered for many years with Cook’s Day Care, even after her own children had grown into young adults. She was President of the Northumberland Central Chamber of Commerce from 2004 to 2006 and has recently resigned as Chair of its Advocacy Committee. She served for many years as the Northumberland County Board Member for Kinark Child and Family Services, the Chair of Children’s Case Coordination for Northumberland County, and the Chair of the Northumberland Children’s Services Committee. She has been a Board Member for the Northumberland Hospice, a member of the Northumberland Economic Development Committee, and a United Way volunteer.
Most recently Kim headed the Regional Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, which, to date, has brought eight new physicians to the area. As many families throughout our community know, finding a doctor to keep our children and loved ones healthy is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Kim’s experience goes beyond the boundaries of Northumberland - Quinte West, to service at the provincial and national levels. Recently she was appointed Vice-Chair of the Training Completion Assurance Fund (TCAF) Secretariat by the Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. And, two years ago Kim became the Executive Director of the Association of Private Colleges in Ontario.
Kim’s roots in politics run deep; her mother ran as a candidate in both provincial and federal elections in the 1970s, and Kim has been a Liberal member and supporter for many years. Experienced, empathetic and engaging, Kim Rudd is the ideal person for the voters of Northumberland - Quinte West to send to Ottawa in the next election.