The Squamish Chamber of Commerce has a new executive director.
The board of directors announced on March 8 that Anne MacKenzie will take over the organization's helm as of March 25.
A Squamish local, MacKenzie will replace Chris Fehr, who took on the position one year ago.
The announcement states that MacKenzie has 20 years of experience in event management, chamber operations, and, most recently, as director of development and operations for The Forum, a Canadian-based charity that aims to empower and connect female entrepreneurs.
"I had the privilege of working for The Forum for women entrepreneurs over the last three years and just watching people build their businesses—I've absolutely loved it. But there is just so much meaning in being able to do that kind of work in my own community," MacKenzie told The Squamish Chief on March 11.
"I've lived in Squamish for 16 years, and I've seen so many incredible business businesses in town," she said.
She added that she is excited to "really start building up the chamber's presence in Squamish."
Among other positions, MacKenzie was previously business development manager with the
Whistler Chamber of Commerce and worked as a sales manager at the Sea to Sky Gondola, according to her LinkedIn profile.
MacKenzie said she looks forward to connecting with local business owners and finding out more about their specific challenges—and helping find solutions—once she officially starts.
However, she said she could speculate that child care, housing and staffing are the main challenges.
MacKenzie said she sees advocating—being the voice of business in Squamish—as the most important part of her job.
"And the more members we have, the louder my voice can be," she said.
Catherine Webster, the chamber's president welcomed MacKenzie in the announcement and thanked Fehr "for all of his hard work over the past year and for assisting in the transition to the new executive director."
*Please note that this story was updated after it was first published to include comments from MacKenzie.
