Calgary Chamber Announces 2024 Board of Directors

Calgary, December 7, 2023 – The Calgary Chamber is pleased to announce the election of Spencer Forgo, James Gibson, Brian Lanier and Alyson Robb to the Board of Directors, serving for a three-year term. The Chamber is also thrilled to welcome Jason Hatcher as incoming Board Chair, effective January 2024.

“I’m thrilled to welcome our new Board members, these additions will be instrumental in advancing our voice for business,” says Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. “I look forward to the year ahead as we continue to grow the Chamber's impact. I’m grateful to our Chair Desirée Bombenon for her leadership and contributions over the past two years, and to our outgoing Board members Ken Keelor, Lara Murphy and Mike Shaw for their dedication and commitment to the Chamber.”

“I would like to express my humble gratitude to the entire business community and my fellow Board members, for the incredible opportunity to have spent the past two years serving as your Chair,” says Desirée Bombenon, Chair of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Board. “I know our work together has made a lasting impact, during an influential time for business. I look forward to cheering on the Chamber as we continue to build on the momentum and help businesses reach their potential, right here in the most entrepreneurial city in Canada.”

“Congratulations to our new Board members,” says Jason Hatcher, incoming Board Chair. “I’m looking forward to working with the entire Board in the years ahead to continue supporting our business community and advancing our advocacy efforts.”

Spencer Forgo

For the past 15 years, Spencer has worked as a communications professional in diverse roles in the city’s non-profit and private sectors. Since completing his undergraduate degree, Spencer has bent the arc of his career toward sustainability. He has become fully immersed in this space, collaborating with sustainability professionals in strategizing on ESG disclosure and authoring multiple sustainability reports aligned to standards like GRI, SASB, and the TCFD. Though this role has evolved over time to focus on policy advocacy rather than disclosure, most of his time is spent working with leaders and policymakers to find common ground on the very same ESG issues.

Beyond ESG expertise, Spencer also has significant experience in an advisory capacity with senior executives—most notably in his current role supporting Nancy Southern, ATCO’s Chair & Chief Executive Officer, one of Canada’s foremost business leaders. Serving as a dedicated resource on corporate communications and thought leadership, this role has given Spencer opportunities to advise ATCO’s executive leadership on communications and engagement strategies on some of the most pressing issues of our time, including climate change, economic competitiveness and Indigenous economic reconciliation.

James (Jim) Gibson

Jim is a community and technology ecosystem leader. Most recently, he acted as Chief Catalyst for SAIT. In this role, he was responsible for defining the possibilities of digital for the institution and helping create student experiences that prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.

As a passionate and serial entrepreneur, ecosystem builder and author, Jim has spent three decades anticipating, adapting to, and advancing technology trends and challenges. He also co-founded Thin Air Labs and co-led the development of Rainforest Alberta. He currently provides strategic leadership to several local technology companies, is a member of The A100, a former board member of Alberta Enterprise Corporation, a board member of Mikata Health, a board member of CRIN (Clean Resources Innovation Network) and an entrepreneur mentor with Venture Mentoring Services of Alberta.

Jim currently lives in Calgary with his family, and is working on his second book, The Human Race, due for publication in the Spring of 2024.

Brian Lanier

Brian is the Founder and CEO of The Leaders Circle (TLC), a Leadership Development Consultancy specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging solutions for organizations. He is passionate about expanding Calgary’s business leadership capacity through a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging lens and has extensive background and experience that aligns with the Calgary Chamber’s goals and values.

Prior to starting TLC, 20 years ago, he held roles as a Regional Vice-President of Starbucks Coffee Company and Regional Director of Operations of KFC-Canada. He is an active member of various boards and organizations, including serving as a board member and former Chairperson of the Calgary Black Chambers and as a former board member of the United Way of the Lower Mainland. Additionally, he is a volunteer board member of Heritage Park Historical Village, which supports his commitment to amplify the histories of those whose voices are often under-recognized.

Alyson Robb

Alyson Robb is a public relations specialist with nearly 20 years of experience in the public and private sector. She has worked for different members of government, both at the federal and provincial levels, providing communications and strategic political advice. She is also successful in creating positive working relationships with external community, industry and government partners.

As the Director of Communications and External Relations at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC), Alyson works alongside the President, leadership and the Board of Directors providing strategic advice. In her work both at the CTCC and with external relationships, Alyson continues to build knowledge regarding the business events industry and how it can grow in Calgary bringing further economic impact and legacy projects to the city.

She and her husband have three children who are involved in community sport and recreation, so a welcoming environment in business and community is important to her.

Jason Hatcher

Jason Hatcher is the Managing Principal of Navigator and leads the Western Canadian operations. He specializes in strategic communications, media relations, issues management, and government relations. Before joining Navigator, Jason was the co-founder and president of a successful public relations firm in Calgary, emerging as one of Canada’s leading professionals in the field of strategic communications.

In his role as Managing Principal of Navigator’s Western Canadian operations, Jason leads business development for the region while also managing a team in three offices (Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver). He works with clients in the telecommunications, technology, health, agriculture, finance and energy sectors to enhance their public profiles through communication, stakeholder consultation, and government advocacy strategies.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2024 will be:

• Jason Hatcher, Board Chair; Managing Principal, Navigator
• Desirée Bombenon, CEO and Chief Disruption Office, SureCall Contact Centers Ltd.
• Connor Curran, Co-owner, Local Laundry
• Darren Engels, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer, Tailwind Associates Inc.
• Spencer Forgo, Director of Corporate Affairs, ATCO
• James (Jim) Gibson, Co-founder, Rainforest Alberta and Thin Air Labs
• Neeraj Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO, Lawcubator
• Kelsey Hahn, Co-Founder and CEO, Monark Inc.
• Anne Harding, Founder, Forum Community Relations Inc.
• Julia Irwin, Director, Viridian Family Office
• Brian Lanier, Founder and CEO, The Leaders Circle
• Dr. Misheck Mwaba, President and CEO, Bow Valley College
• Gregory Peterson, Partner Head, Calgary Corporate Finance, M&A and Private Equity Group, Gowling WLG
• Alyson Robb, Director of Communications and External Relations, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre
• Scott Wenger, Director of Government Relations, Suncor

ABOUT THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce exists to help businesses reach their potential. As the convenor and catalyst for a vibrant, inclusive and prosperous business community, the Chamber works to build strength and resilience among its members and position Calgary as a magnet for talent, diversification and opportunity. As an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1891, we build on our history to serve and advocate for businesses of all sizes, in all sectors across the city.