CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES OF ALBERTA
CHAPTER COMMITTEE
Chair: Marilyne Aalhus, Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce
Vice Chair: Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
Past Chair: Shelly Nichol, St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce
Ex-officio: Sacha Knorr, Alberta Chambers of Commerce
Wendy Bosch Thomas, Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce
Jennifer Garries, Leduc, Nisku and Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wendy Buyar, Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce
Kathy Arndt, Edson & District Chamber of Commerce
Brad Tajiri, Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce
CCEA CHAPTER REP
Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
CONTACTÂ
Alberta@CCEC.biz
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
Every summer CCEA hosts a professional development Summit for Chamber staff. The purpose of this event is to provide learning, mentoring and networking opportunities for Chamber professionals across Alberta.Â
We are looking for hosts who are enthusiastic about showcasing their community, and supporting the professional development of Chamber professionals across Alberta.
Download our Host Proposal Guidelines here.
The deadline to submit your Expression of Interest is December 31, 2026.
CHAMBERS PLAN BURSARIES TO ATTEND SUMMIT
Applications are closed for 2026.
ALBERTA CHAMBER EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Awarded to the chief staff person of a Chamber of Commerce / Board of Trade for outstanding performance, commitment to the Chamber Network, and community leadership.
This award recognizes exceptional Chamber leaders from across Alberta with proven excellence in:
- Chamber management and operations;
- Membership retention, engagement and growth;
- Delivering innovative programs and services;Â
- Community leadership; and
- Contributing to the Chamber Network
Nominee Eligibility:
- Must be the chief staff person of a Chamber of Commerce / Board of Trade in Alberta.
- Must have achieved 3 years of consecutive employment by March 3, 2026.
- Must be a member of CCEA and the Alberta Chambers of Commerce.
- Award nominations must be submitted by a peer. Self nominations are not accepted.
- The current President of CCEA is not eligible.
Chamber executives who are the sole employee are eligible and encouraged to apply!
Nominations are closed for 2026.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 RECIPIENTS!
Dianna de Sousa
Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce
Lisa Dressler
Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce
LEGACY BURSARY PROGRAM
In honor of the exceptional Chamber executives who made a lasting impact on their Chamber, the Chamber Network, and their local business community, we are proud to offer $1000 bursaries to attend CCEC's annual conference.
- Irven Snider (Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce & Alberta Chambers of Commerce)
- Pat Tenney (Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce)
- Peggy Lapinski (Alberta Chambers of Commerce)
- Cindy Lapinski (Rocky Mountain House & District Chamber of Commerce)
- Kelly Carson (Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce)
Congratulations to our 2026 bursary recipient:
Megan Wakefield, Bonnyville & District Chamber of Commerce
Congratulations to the Chambers Plan bursary recipients:
Sarah Freeman, Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce
Sherri Buckle, Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce
Teri-Lynn MacKie, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
2026 - Dianna de Sousa - Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce & Lisa Dressler - Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce (TIE)
2025 - Dawn LeMaistre, Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
2024 - Sarah Freeman, Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce
2023- Shelly Nichol, St. Albert & District Chamber of Commerce
2022- Marilyne Aalhus, Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce
2020- Monica Bartman, Lacombe & Marley Henneigh, Drumheller (TIE)
2018- Sharon Anderson, Camrose
2017- Tracy Acorn, ACC
2016- Dionne Chambers, Fort Saskatchewan
2015- Jennifer Garries, Leduc
2014- Pat Tenney, Lloydminster
2013- Sherri Buckle, Cold Lake
2012- Terri Kemball, ACC
2011- Lisa Kowalchuk, Medicine Hat & Tim Creedon, Red Deer (TIE)
2010- Darleen Bohnet, Spruce Grove
2009- Dan Pearcy, Grande Prairie
2008- Cindy Petersen, Rocky Mountain House
2007- Pat Tenney, Lloydminster
2006- Lorna Hunt, Airdrie
2005- Iris Yanish, Leduc
2004- Tracy Gagnier, Cold Lake
2003- Irven Snider, Ponoka
2001- Cindy Mork, Hinton
2000- Pamela Brace, Spruce Grove/ACC
