Squamish Chamber Appoints New Executive Director
March 7, 2023
About your chamber
board of Directors
2023 / 2024 Board of Directors Elections
Nominations now open
To register a nomination please contact Chris Fehr, Executive Director. All nomination entries must be received by April 4th, 2023.
The Squamish Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
Board of Directors for 2022/2023:
Abby Majendie – President
Catherine Webster – Vice-President
Christine Barton – Secretary
Michel-Andre Aubin
Brandon Baker
Nicola Jones-Crossley
Gale Kim
Jacqueline Menezes
Jack Montpellier
John Olson
Rajan Hans – On leave
Careers
The Chamber does not currently have any career openings. We thank you for your interest.
Strategic direction
Mission
The Squamish Chamber is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the community by actively supporting business, economic growth and economic diversification.
Vision
The Squamish Chamber will deliver exceptional membership value by taking a leadership role in advocating for the interest of Squamish business, by providing beneficial member services and programs, and by working in partnership with other organizations.
Areas of Focus
In 2020, we will deliver value to our members through our four key areas of focus, with increased emphasis on connecting with our members and growing awareness of our programs in order to help businesses grow and demonstrate the value of Squamish Chamber membership.
Membership: we will place greater emphasis on member engagement, retention and onboarding in order to better demonstrate the value of Chamber membership and maintain a strong membership base.
Communications: increased focus will be placed on our communication initiatives to ensure the membership is fully aware of the existing programs and business development resources, along with the many activities that the Chamber conducts to support the business community.
Advocacy: we will place more emphasis on our presence and communication within the Squamish community to raise our profile, and to provide leadership on members’ priority issues that affect businesses and local economic development.
Partnerships & Relations: we will develop strong, strategic partnerships to grow the local economy, and ensure participation is recognized across the Squamish community.
In everything we do, we will strive for organizational excellence, with strong, sustainable systems and processes.
Chamber staff
Chris Fehr, Executive Director
Passionate about the Squamish Community, Christopher Fehr is a business leader with over 15 years of experience. Starting off in hospitality and tourism, he gained strengths in business management, destination growth management and navigating the importance of positive community partnerships. As a new Father, Chris is dedicated to contributing to the Squamish community knowing that his children will grow up in this amazing town we call home.
A Squamish local, Fehr is a strong leader with a proven history of enriching the quality of life for the local community. As the incoming Executive Director, Chris will continue to nurture the Squamish business community and actively support sustainability, economic growth, and diversification.
Nicole Etherington, Manager
With close to 15 years’ experience in event management and business operations, Nicole has developed a reputation as an accomplished project manager capable of achieving whatever she puts her mind to. As a community minded individual who takes great pride in hailing from beautiful Squamish, BC, Nicole could not be more ecstatic about supporting local businesses in her new role as Manager, Events and Member Services. Nicole loves to connect and is always keen to meet new members of the community. Never hesitate to reach out to her for a meet and greet or a quick conversation!
Chantelle Matthews, Marketing Co-ordinator
Chantelle’s diverse experience bridges innovative thinking and a Swiss army knife of skills, from design to project management. In her role at Squamish Chamber, Chantelle plans and executes specific projects to promote local business sectors. Expect enthusiasm for opportunities to be part of projects that suggest growth isn’t restricted to boardroom meetings, and relationships fostered in all settings.
Having worked with many small businesses and brands via her former roles within the European bike industry, what on earth do you think brought her to Squamish? Where best to take a sabbatical than the sea to sky, cue outdoorsy montage, and seven years later she’s still immersed in the mountain lifestyle. One of the most difficult pursuits to date being the curation of all the gear accumulated alongside new ventures.
Conversations with Chantelle highlight her passion and flare for inter-generational learning and skill sharing, whereby she relishes an opportunity to open up conversations that encourage lifelong learning through those within our local and broader community.
Please note, Chantelle works Monday and Tuesday.
Alicia MacGregor, Admin Co-ordinator
Alicia has a passion for building community and having owned and operated several small businesses she has the firsthand experience knowing what it takes to do so. With her variety of learned skills and affinity for problem solving she hopes to inspire the community to grow and work hard alongside our local businesses to make it happen. She has travelled across the country living in different cities and experiencing different communities and has come back to the coast where she feels most happy. Squamish has been her home off and on for several years and she is back to stay, eager for the opportunity of growth both for the city and herself in her new role.
As an avid climber and outdoorsperson, you will likely find her out at the crags or hiking around enjoying the beauty of nature in the Sea to Sky and she is always eager to share in her adventures! Alicia loves connecting with members of the community and supporting local business. If ever there was a person to ask about the “hidden local gems”, Alicia is the one to ask.
Please note, Alicia works Tues – Friday.
