The Fernie Chamber of commerce recently welcomed its new executive director Patty Vadnais.
Bringing with her five years of non-profit experience both in an executive director role and as a board director, Vadnais said she is looking forward to her new position.
“I saw that it fit my skill set and applied,” she said. “Everybody thought it would be a good fit.”
The newly appointed executive director was previously the board director for Economic Development Lethbridge and the executive officer for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association in the Lethbridge region.
Vadnais, who moved to Fernie from Lethbridge in May of 2014, added that her experience also consists of an educational background focused on non-profit governance.
“I bring a combination of practical real world experience in the association management [sector] as well as the theoretical [knowledge] that comes with the study of non-profits,” Vadnais, who also taught management courses at the University of Lethbridge and the College of the Rockies said. “I’m looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Despite being in Fernie for less than a year, Vadnais has become an active member of the community, joining the Ladies Golf Club and coaching the Elk Valley Dolphin Swim Club.
Vadnais said in the next coming months she plans to work with businesses throughout the Elk Valley and host an array of networking events for the chambers over 270 members.
“Right now I’m really looking forward to bringing some fantastic networking events for the members as well as some education opportunities, along with working with the business members and the City of Fernie corporation to create a fantastic environment for businesses to thrive,” she said. “If anybody wants to know more details, they’re welcome to give me a call and we can discuss.”