Mark has been involved in progressive business management roles for over twenty years and has volunteer non-profit Board experience exceeding fifteen years. He has an undergraduate degree in health care and a masters degree in business, along with work experiences ranging from front line health care to hospital Vice President to small business owner. Having gradually relocated his contracting business to Port Sydney over the past few years, Mark joined the Chamber and was subsequently welcomed to the Board in October 2021, bringing us his expertise in strategic planning and operational effectiveness. As of November 2023, we are pleased to have Mark serving as our President to guide us forward with the aim of increasing member engagement and volunteerism.
Brenda has been in sales, marketing, and marketing management for the past 30 years. Working with businesses and their people is how she has developed the skills to listen to the growing needs of Muskoka businesses for more than a decade. Having moved to Port Sydney in 2015, Brenda has been working alongside businesses in the community to help them brand and grow on ShopMuskoka.com. Brenda looks at this opportunity with the Chamber of Commerce as a chance to listen to the needs of the community and to promote its growth.
Lisa is a Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB), a member of the Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC), and a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor (desktop and online) with a passion for accounting and tax preparation. Working as an accounting technician at a Chartered Accounting firm in Kingston, ON, Lisa gained experience in bookkeeping, financial statements, corporate tax, personal tax, and compliance before relocating to Utterson and establishing her own business. We were very pleased when Lisa joined the Board in 2019 to take up her second term as Treasurer for our Chamber, with the title changing to Secretary-Treasurer in 2021. Lisa has relocated to the Sudbury area but commutes routinely to serve her Muskoka-based clientele and our Chamber.
(Gord’s bio here will be removed soon, but for now it gives an overview of his contributions to our Chamber.)
Gord has been a year-round resident of Port Sydney for over 40 years and has worked locally as a Real Estate Broker since 2004. From 2005 to 2016 Gord was very active on our Board, serving as a Director for three years and as President for eight years. Gord’s duties included membership recruitment of local businesses; organizing and operating local Chamber events (eg. Annual Winter Carnival and Canada Day Festivities); and working closely with fellow volunteers during numerous community events. We were very pleased to welcome Gord back to the Board as a Director in 2019.
Derek is a Master Electrician and Licensed Electrical Contractor who opened his own company in 2008 after working for over 10 years in the industry. Derek was the recipient of the Chamber’s New Business of the Year Award in 2011 and has since served on the Board as a Director, Vice President (2017-2019), and President (2019-2023). Derek was pleased to return to the role of Director in November 2023. Derek encourages everyone in business to join the Chamber because he has found it to be the best way to develop both business and community connections, and his investment in Membership and Advertising through the Chamber has always paid for itself many times over in new customer leads.
Sue Woodall -Director
Sue Shef
Heather embarked on her professional journey as a Surveillance Operator at an Ontario casino and served as a Volunteer Team Leader for Victim Services in Goderich, Ontario. Seeking a change of scenery, she transitioned to Muskoka where she delved into the hospitality industry. There, she assumed the role of lead trainer at a prestigious resort while honing her expertise as a wine sommelier.
Transitioning once more, Heather entered the cannabis sector, holding pivotal roles such as General Manager, Regional Trainer, and Head of Operations for Canada's largest CBD company. Subsequently, she joined a local cannabis producer's Marketing team as General Manager of their Educational store and Cannabis Educator, also serving as a liaison for multiple chambers of commerce in the area.
When the government amended regulations to allow individuals to open their own cannabis stores, Heather seized the opportunity, founding The Green Bouquet Cannabis Inc. in Port Sydney. With a rich background spanning operations, marketing, sales, and customer service, she eagerly joins the board to raise awareness in the community about the abundant business opportunities available to their village.
Sandra joined the Chamber Team in the fall of 2018 and brings with her over 35 years of organizational skills developed during her employment in Community Living agencies and her volunteer positions on various Boards and fundraising committees. For her volunteerism in Port Sydney, she was the 2016 recipient of the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year Award. Sandra works part-time and can be reached by email, text message, or through our website Contact form. (Hours are flexible – response times will vary.)
