The BC Chamber of Commerce has got a thing for Whistler.
For the second time in a row, a former head of the Whistler Chamber of Commerce has been appointed as CEO and president of B.C.’s largest business network. Fiona Famulak takes over the role for Val Litwin, who left the job in August after four years. Famulak preceded Litwin at the Whistler Chamber, where she served for nearly five years until stepping down in 2013.
“I have enormous respect for the BC Chamber of Commerce and am honoured and excited to lead the organization at such a pivotal point in its history,” said Famulak in a release. “The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of community, the power of collaboration and the need for courage to pursue new approaches to business.
“Our work ahead is to determine how to best serve the network of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and the 36,000 businesses they represent, so that they not only navigate through the pandemic but are positioned to compete and thrive beyond it.”
Along with her experience at the Whistler Chamber, Famulak is the former president of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, a member of the Institutde of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, and a former small business owner.
She will “work closely with the BC Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, members of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, government officials, and stakeholders to prioritize the immediate needs of the provincial business network,” the release went on.
“Our Board of Directors, staff team, and our network are pleased to welcome Fiona Famulak as our new President and CEO,” said Aleece Laird, board chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce, in the release. “Fiona not only embodies a spirit of collaboration, which is in the DNA of Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, but she brings extensive executive leadership experience, understands the power of our network to advocate for business, and has a proven track record for courageous and innovative change. With Fiona, we enter an exciting new chapter with sound leadership that will further strengthen our network as we work together to emerge stronger after what has been an incredibly challenging year for so many of our members.”
Laird also thanked Dan Baxter, the BC Chamber’s director of policy development, government and stakeholder relations, for “seamlessly” stepping in to fill the role of interim CEO at such a critical time.
Pique will have more to come on this story.
