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ChairAllan LafontaineAllan Lafontaine is the Executive Director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce that represents the City of Orillia, Townships of Oro-Medonte, Severn, Ramara as well as Rama First Nation. The area is also known as “Lake Country”. In his capacity with the ODCC, Allan manages Port of Orillia, Service Ontario, and Festivals such as; Orillia Perch Festival; Spring Boat/Cottage, and Outdoor Show; Waterfront Festival; Port of Orillia Pirate Party; and Santa Claus Parade. Making member services a priority, Allan has engaged Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments to advocate for businesses in the region.
Allan was the CEO of Tax Recovery Group for 3 decades and worked primarily for Municipalities, First Nations, Non-Profits, Charities, Federal & Provincial Crown Corporations such as Defence Construction Canada, Hibernia, and Straight Crossing Inc. Allan joined the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and was previously on the Board of Directors of the New Hamburg Board of Trade. Currently Allan is President Elect of the Rotary Club of Orillia and an active volunteer in his community.
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Past Chair 2022-2023Brenda Whitehead
Brenda has been the CEO at the Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce since January of 2018. Her extensive experience in community development, primarily involved with recreation, economic development and sales, have positioned her well to make impacts in the business sector. She has spent most of her career, and continues to act, as an advocate for enhancing quality of life, primarily for children and youth. She is a recipient of the HIGH FIVE® Child Smile Award for Advocacy, the Parks and Recreation Ontario Trillium Award for commitment to the recreation sector and a Premier’s Award Nominee for College Graduates. Brenda has strong community connections to the Port Hope area and has been described as the driving force for the Chamber’s board of directors and members. She is proud to lead one of the oldest chambers, marking its 145th anniversary in 2019, and will continue to carry on it’s long history of advocacy for businesses, strong partnerships and ensure it meets the Accreditation Standards for years to come.
A very proud mom of two she can be found with her husband at a sporting event, travelling or just chilling with the family – her most favourite thing to do.
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Vice ChairRory Ring
Rory Ring, CEO of the Sault Ste Marie Chamber of Commerce came to helm the Sault Chamber February of 2016. Prior to this role he was President & CEO of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. Rory has led and collaborated on many projects that strived to bring exceptional value to the Chamber membership, Network and community. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Chamber Executives of Ontario, Chamber of Commerce Executives Canada, Sault Ste Marie Downtown Association and the Sault Ste Marie Economic Development Corporation.
Over the past 25 years Rory has been involved in traditional commercial lending, run a $12 million innovation loan fund, connected businesses to private equity and venture capital to support high growth innovation. He has dabbled in entrepreneurship and has always been a strong advocate for small business and private sector led economic prosperity. He has a BA in Political Science from the University Western Ontario and MBA from Queens University.
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Treasurer Jill RaycroftBelleville Chamber of Commerce
As CEO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, Jill Raycroft is familiar face in Belleville’s business community.
Jill has a strong business background as well as a wide range of community experiences, including the Executive Director of the Children’s Safety Village.
The Belleville Chamber celebrated 158 years of service to the business community of Belleville in 2022. Created in 1864 and originally as a Board of Trade for Hastings County, businesses were required to participate. In 1920 it was converted to a Chamber of Commerce and represented one of the most successful Chambers in Eastern Ontario at that time. As the County developed, additional Chambers were formed in Quinte West, Madoc and Tweed. Although they are separate Chambers representing different cities and towns, they take a regional approach to their endeavours. After all, business knows no boundaries.
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SecretaryKim Whitehead, General ManagerWoodstock District Chamber of Commerce
Since February of this 2017, Kim Whitehead has served as the general manager of the Woodstock and District Chamber of Commerce. After graduating college, Kim’s career started as an advertising sales representative for Woodstock’s local newspaper. She was promoted to advertising manager and spent close to 29 years at the newspaper. After a short period of selling commercial printing, Kim joined a human resource firm as a workforce development manager for the Woodstock office until joining the chamber.
In the past, Kim has been involved in the community by volunteering on the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life Steering Committee for 11 years, 4 years as co-chair. She has also served on the United Way of Oxford communications committee for several years as well as Campaign Cabinet for a year. Kim has been a member of the chamber of commerce Woodstock most of her career. Kim volunteered on the communications committee for the chamber of commerce before being elected to the board of directors in 2013 and moving onto the executive in 2016. Kim is currently sitting on the Fanshawe College Foundation Board. In her spare time, Kim likes to golf, curl and travel.
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DirectorWendy ParsonsLeamington District Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Parsons joined the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce in October 2003 as Office Support and in May 2014 took over the position of General Manager. Working closely with her staff of one, and the volunteers, the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce has become a recognized advocate in the community for business. The open-door policy allows concerns and questions to be answered while maintaining a pleasant composure when dealing with issues.
Over the last couple of years, Leamington District Chamber of Commerce secured grants with Employment Ontario, Workforce Windsor Essex and the Ontario Trillium Foundation and completed studies on Labour Market Research and a Feasibility Study for an Agri-Business Centre of Excellence. This has helped the Chamber become a strong voice in the business community.
Wendy plays a significant role in the community and embraces new opportunities. She is currently on the board of the Leamington BIA and South Essex Community Council, is an engaged Rotarian, past president and District Outbound Youth Exchange Coordinator. Wendy and her husband have two grown children, one golden retriever, enjoy traveling, concerts both country and rock and roll!
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DirectorTrevor McPherson
Mississauga Board of Trade
Trevor McPherson assumed the role of Vice President, Member Services at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in October 2017. A passionate advocate for the Chamber Network, Trevor leads the OCC’s efforts to provide services aimed at increasing member value – both now and into the future. Trevor also oversees the OCC’s annual Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park, one of the most successful and well-regarded Chamber Network activities of the year.
Prior to his current role, Trevor served as Director, Strategic Initiatives and Governance since joining the OCC in 2006. In this capacity, Trevor managed the Ontario Economic Summit (OES) initiative, and the Economic Leadership Series (ELS) – a program aimed at strengthening chamber-led, community level economic leadership. In this role, Trevor also provided support to the OCC Board of Directors on matters of strategy and governance, serving as the staff resource for signature projects such as the renewal of OCC by-laws and the development of the OCC’s 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. Prior to the OCC, Trevor was employed with the Province of Ontario in the area of international trade development.
A graduate of Queen’s University (Political Studies) and Seneca College (International Business Management), Trevor resides in Burlington with his wife and two school-aged daughters.
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DirectorJennifer AndersonExecutive DirectorAs a longtime resident of Georgina, Jennifer Anderson has witnessed the growth of the community and is committed to supporting businesses as they succeed and grow along with the town of Georgina.
As tourism becomes more of a focus for the chamber, Jennifer’s collaborative approach to projects and new ideas is an added benefit to the Georgina Chamber.
Anderson has worked with multiple non-profit organizations in varying capacities and brings proven success in her ability to create and facilitate community events.
Jennifer volunteers with a number of local organizations, and hosts the weekly That’s My Story on Rogers TV Georgina.
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DirectorRebecca Shelley, Executive Director
Rebecca brings 20 years of professional experience to her role with the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, most recently from Bell Media. Rebecca has many years of office management, administrative, organizational and coordination experience. Her background embraces small and medium-sized businesses, including a wine agency, a media company, and an IT security firm run by former Dragon Robert Herjavec.
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DirectorNathan SauveNathan was born and raised in Sturgeon Falls. He spent 17 years working in retail and customer service. Nathan has a background in sales, marketing and loves to work with the West Nipissing Chamber Members.
Nathan is the President of the Scout du Nipissing Ouest, and the President of the West Nipissing Soccer Club. Nathan is also an organizer for the West Nipissing Mixed Volleyball League, and is an organizer for the Sturgeon Falls Christmas Craft Show and Vendor show held annually at the Complex.
Nathan is married, with two daughters and a house full of pets. When not working he enjoys family time, coaching various sports in the community and playing sports. -
DirectorGreg Evans
Business Development Coordinator
A Laurier graduate, Greg spent several years with the Ontario Legislature working in community outreach and is now the Business Development Coordinator at the Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant. He lives in Stratford with his wife Dahlia, their daughter Remedy, their Saint Bernard Whisky, and cats Axl and Rosie.
Greg is an active volunteer, particularly with the Rotary Club. A Past President of Rotary Waterloo and a current member of Rotary Brantford. Greg's Rotary journey began at 15, when he was accepted into the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and spent his Grade 11 year in Taiwan representing Canada and District 6290. Now a proud Paul Harris Fellow, Greg is proud to be giving back in any way he can to repay Rotary for the opportunities he was given as a teenager.
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DirectorNicole Gibson, Executive Director
Ajax Pickering Board of Directors
Nicole has been with the Ajax Pickering Board of Trade for over ten years, working as their Executive Assistant/Office Administrator before moving into the Executive Director position in 2018.
Nicole is committed to supporting businesses of all size and from all sectors in Ajax, Pickering, and surrounding area.
A new Mom, Nicole holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from Durham College and a degree in Biology/Pharmaceutical Technology from UOIT.Jennifer completed two intern positions, one as a writer for the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association and the other as an Events Coordinator for The ALS Society of Canada.