Chamber Board Candidates 2026

Meet the 2026 Chamber Board Candidates

Check your inboxes!  E-ballots will be sent to the designated voting rep for each of our Member organizations on Wednesday, September 9th.  You’ll have until September 30th to make your decision and follow your voting link to cast your ballot.

Didn’t receive yours?  First, please check your junk mail.  If you don’t find your e-ballot there, please contact us at chamber@tbchamber.ca

Born and raised in Thunder Bay and a proud graduate of Lakehead University. In my current role as VP Finance with Thunder Bay Pulp and Paper Inc. I have oversight of the finance, procurement and IT functions.  I have developed a strong background in finance, accounting and tax, and as part of the executive team for a large industrial manufacturer in the region, I believe I can bring unique insight into the challenges facing both industry and private sector investment in the region.  Thunder Bay is one of the best cities in Canada to raise a family and I am fortunate to be able to call this city my home.

Having previously served on the Board of Directors for the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, I am honoured to have the opportunity to have my name on the slate of candidates for the 2026 election. With over 15 years in the forestry sector and over 20 years in finance, I believe I bring a unique skillset to complement the Board. I am an advocate for growth in the region and was fortunate to have the opportunity to sit on the Growth Task Force for the City of Thunder Bay, helping to provide insight and direction into the development of the Smart Growth Action Plan. The city is well positioned to capitalize on development opportunities, and I believe the Chamber can play a significant role in advocating to align business and policy objectives to help facilitate that growth.

I am a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB). I am the founder of Al Dar Immigration Services Inc., a Thunder Bay business focused on helping individuals and families navigate Canada’s immigration system and establish their futures in our community. I also work as a Lead Engineer with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and provide immigration advisory services to international students at Confederation College. My experience spans engineering and infrastructure, immigration, workforce development, small business, regulatory compliance, project management, and stakeholder engagement. Through these roles, I have worked closely with government, businesses, professionals, students, newcomers, and community partners. I am particularly interested in strengthening Thunder Bay’s ability to attract and retain talent, supporting local employers and entrepreneurs, and contributing to the continued growth and prosperity of the community where I have built my career and business.

I want to serve on the Chamber’s Board because I want to take a more active role in Thunder Bay’s economic and business development. Through my immigration practice and work with Confederation College, I regularly see local employers struggling to recruit and retain workers, while international students and newcomers who want to remain in Thunder Bay often face challenges establishing long-term careers here. I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen the connection between employers, educational institutions, newcomers, government, and the broader business community. As a local business owner, I also understand the practical challenges of operating and growing a small business. My engineering career has given me another perspective on infrastructure, government processes, and long-term planning. I want to bring these perspectives to the Board, contribute to informed advocacy and practical initiatives, and help strengthen Thunder Bay as a place where businesses can grow, employers can find talent, and people choose to stay.

I am the owner of REP Giwaydin Security Inc., an Indigenous-owned security company based in Northwestern Ontario. I oversee business development, operations, client relationships, and the growth of our team. REP Giwaydin specializes in providing professional security services for mining, construction, energy projects, remote camps, and community and special events.

My expertise includes security operations, workforce development, Indigenous engagement, project support, and building strong relationships between industry and Indigenous communities. I am passionate about creating meaningful employment opportunities and ensuring our clients receive reliable, professional, and culturally aware security services. Through REP Giwaydin, my goal is to continue growing a trusted Indigenous business that supports both industry and our communities.

I want to serve on the board because I believe young Indigenous entrepreneurs should have a voice in leadership and decision-making spaces. As a young Indigenous business owner, I bring a unique perspective, firsthand experience, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of building a business.

I am passionate about creating opportunities, building strong relationships, and supporting the growth of Indigenous businesses and communities. Serving on the board would allow me to share my perspective, contribute fresh ideas, learn from experienced leaders, and help create meaningful change.

I would be proud to represent the next generation of Indigenous entrepreneurs and use my experience to contribute to the continued growth and success of our community.

I am the Chief Executive Officer of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, where I provide strategic leadership and oversee operations, financial management, fundraising, governance, and community engagement in support of pediatric rehabilitation services in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

Throughout my career, I have built strong relationships across the business, nonprofit, healthcare, education, and resource sectors. My areas of expertise include strategic planning, governance, financial oversight, partnership development, fundraising, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

I am deeply committed to Thunder Bay and have been actively involved in the community through leadership and volunteer roles with organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Thunder Bay, Fort William Rotary Club, and Women in Mining Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. I value collaboration and enjoy bringing people and organizations together to build strong partnerships, create opportunities, and contribute to a vibrant and thriving community.

I want to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors because I care deeply about the future of Thunder Bay and believe a strong, connected business community is essential to our city’s growth and success.

Throughout my career, I have seen the impact that collaboration between businesses, nonprofit organizations, government, and community partners can have in creating opportunities and strengthening our community. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my experience in strategic leadership, governance, partnership development, and community engagement to the Chamber Board.

I am particularly interested in contributing to conversations around economic development, workforce and community growth, and strengthening connections across sectors. Serving on the Board would allow me to give back in a meaningful way while working alongside other leaders who are committed to building a vibrant, resilient, and prosperous Thunder Bay.

I am a Thunder Bay born entrepreneur and consultant with multiple businesses and extensive board experience. Currently, as the CEO of Eat Local Pizza and CFO of Modern Medical, I engage with a broad spectrum of businesses regularly. I have served on multiple boards for businesses, non-profits, city projects and community organizations including being a past chair of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. For over 20 years I have been deeply rooted in the Thunder Bay community and have been involved in many facets of advocacy. As an entrepreneur in Thunder Bay, I have had the opportunity to work with many people across a myriad of industries and am deeply committed to their ongoing success. 

I hope to have the opportunity to be part of the Chamber of Commerce in a time that is challenging for Canadian business. I have always respected and appreciated the value our Thunder Bay Chamber brings to business and community advocacy, and I would like to offer whatever support I can in its ongoing service to Thunder Bay business. I believe the varied toolbox of skills and experiences developed over my years in business in Thunder Bay could be an asset in challenging times.

I’m Richard Togman, CEO of Thunder Bay Public Library since 2022, where I lead strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and a major facilities master plan. I hold a PhD in Political Science and have published extensively on policy and governance. I bring experience spanning three sectors: nonprofit (TBPL, Lakehead Social Planning Council), private (co-founder and Chairman of Rent Panda, a province-wide real estate business), and community advocacy. I’ve won the 2025 Non-Profit Excellence Award and 2025 EDI Award from the Chamber, plus multiple business and innovation awards. My background in policy research, organizational leadership, budgeting, and community partnership gives me practical insight into both business growth and civic responsibility.

I’ve contributed to the Chamber for years – first as Research Coordinator, then as Director. Now as Chair of Policy and Advocacy, I see where the Board needs strategic depth. I want to help shape the Chamber’s direction, deepen business-public partnerships, and ensure our advocacy remains credible and evidence-based. My TedX talk last year “The Competitive Advantage of Designing for Community” captures my conviction: stronger economies emerge when sectors work together intentionally. The Chamber can lead that work in Thunder Bay.

I am a Chartered Professional Accountant and Partner at LCPS Chartered Professional Accountants LLP. My practice is centered on supporting private companies and not-for-profits across all stages of their lifecycle from routine compliance and operational reviews to complex growth and succession strategies. I strongly believe in ongoing specialization, recently completing the advanced CPA In-Depth HST Program, and actively mentor emerging accountants to help shape the future of our profession.

As a partner at the region’s largest non-national accounting firm, I interact daily with businesses across diverse sectors throughout Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. This position gives me a front-row view of both the momentum driving our local economy and the real-world operational challenges businesses face. I am applying for the Board of Directors to bridge these grassroots insights with the Chamber’s strategic direction, advocating for policies and initiatives that foster sustainable growth. Thunder Bay has given me immense personal and professional opportunity, and serving on the Board is a meaningful way to reinvest my time and leadership into the long-term success of our business community.

I am the Executive Coordinator of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), where I work with municipal leaders, governments, businesses and community partners to advance the economic and infrastructure priorities of Northwestern Ontario.

I bring more than 20 years of professional experience spanning procurement, supply chain, operations, contract management, government relations, communications and organizational leadership. Throughout my career, I have managed significant budgets and procurement portfolios, negotiated contracts, led teams and worked across sectors including mining, construction, healthcare, transportation and security.

My areas of expertise include strategic partnerships, advocacy, stakeholder relations, governance, procurement and organizational development. I am also deeply involved in community and non-profit leadership in Thunder Bay.

I am passionate about building partnerships that strengthen our local economy, supporting businesses and entrepreneurs, and helping position Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario for long-term growth and opportunity.

I want to serve on the Chamber’s Board of Directors because I believe a strong business community is fundamental to the growth and success of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

Through my role as Executive Coordinator of NOMA, I work every day at the intersection of municipalities, government, business and regional economic development. That work has given me a strong understanding of the issues impacting our economy from infrastructure and workforce development to investment, housing, transportation and government policy.

I would bring that regional perspective, along with experience in advocacy, governance, procurement and relationship-building, to the Chamber Board. I also see an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the business and municipal sectors and ensure the voice of Thunder Bay businesses is heard at every level of government.

Most importantly, I want to listen to Chamber members, contribute constructively and help create the conditions for businesses to invest, grow and succeed.