A former Kamloops Chamber of Commerce president has a new role as the chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce board.

Speaking on NL Newsday, Aleece Laird says she is looking forward to work with all 125 Chambers of Commerce and boards of trade across B.C., in what she says will be a fascinating year because of COVID-19.

“It is going to be one with challenges for sure but I think the real benefit of chambers of commerce and boards of trade is that we can really shine in this time and we can really show our members that we have tremendous value that we can offer to them as they adapt and do everything completely different than they ever did before,” she said.

Laird is replacing Kristine Simpson, who moves to the role of immediate past chair on the board. One of her top goals, she says, is to hold meaningful conversations with member organizations, that represent roughly 36,000 B.C. businesses.

“I help set a number of the agendas that we have and then work with the various boards of directors that we have in the role of helping develop our committees that we have, and just really helping to align the work of the board with the strategic direction that our board sets for the year,” Laird noted.

She joined the BC Chamber of Commerce board in 2016. She was a director for her first two years and most recently served as the vice-chair.

“This is a volunteer role for myself. I still have Amplify Consulting and I’m still a busy mom and we home-school our boys and so life is incredibly busy,” she added.

“This just adds another dimension to it. If you can create impact in your community and you can do it with something that you are passionate about, then its kind of the perfect marriage.”