The new chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce will be Kerry Colborne announced today.
This past year she was the Chamber's Vice-Chair and will take on her new position on September 9, 2014.
"I am excited at the opportunity to become the new Chair of the Oakville Chamber. I look forward to meeting our members that I haven't had the pleasure of to date, and getting their ideas on how we can continually improve the benefits and services the Chamber offers for Oakville businesses of all sizes," said Kerry Colborne.
Kerry Colborne is a seasoned business executive with international experience gained through a long career in the finance, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Specific roles include Managing Director (CEO) of New Zealand and Global Marketing Director (in both Lyon, France and Duluth, Georgia) for Merial a leading company in the animal health sector.
More recently, she played a role in supporting small and medium sized businesses in the Oakville and Burlington area by providing financing as a Senior Manager of Loans with the Business Development Bank of Canada. Finally, she has returned to her entrepreneurial roots by working full time for her own company, Force 10 Capital Management Inc., which she established in 2007.
Upon returning to Canada in 2005 she made it her mission to give back to the community and has done so by becoming a Big Sister (though her “Little” just turned 19!), participating as a Judge for the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence, and recently joined the Board of the Oakville Arts Council.
In her spare time she is an avid sailor, soccer player and art collector.
Orla Johnston's term as chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce will come to an end on September 9, 2014.Orla Johnston's term as chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce will come to an end on September 9, 2014.
The outgoing president is Orla Johnston. Ms. Johnston is the President of SOCS Retail Solutions Inc., an award-winning, full service marketing and advertising agency located in Oakville and Co-Founder of Terava Sales, a sales and distribution company that partners with 30+ companies to bring their products to the online retailers, and the incentive/loyalty channel.
Orla was instrumental in the Oakville Chamber earning its Accreditation with Distinction from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada. This level of accreditation has only been awarded to 7% of the Chambers and Boards of Trade in Canada. It means that the Oakville Chamber follows the highest standards of Governance in governance, programming and policy.
"Orla has done an outstanding job as the Chair of the Board of the Oakville Chamber," stated John Sawyer, President of the Oakville Chamber. "She has some formal training as an Urban Planner, and of course extensive experience in marketing and business management. Her background and experience have helped frame our research, comments and recommendations on the issues facing Downtown Oakville."