Some individuals have a knack for working with people, and when you are the Executive Director of a Chamber of Commerce, you need to be a people person. Lorraine Mackenzie has proven to be the perfect fit to lead the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce.

In 1988 MacKenzie made a decision that changed her life. Working at a hair salon wasn’t working for her; she had lost interest and wanted something else out of life. She put down her scissors and went back to school full-time, enrolling in the two-year Business Program at Algonquin College in Pembroke.

“Business is a universal program, it is beneficial in whatever you do,” says MacKenzie, “You could own your own business or you could work in one,” adds Mackenzie who has a contagious, bubbly personality that has helped her make important community connections that have benefited both her and the chamber.

After graduating from Algonquin, MacKenzie went to work in non-profit organizations before moving on to work with the Chamber of Commerce. She admits that she knew very little about what the Chamber when she was hired as a co-ordinator nine years ago. “It was just a job in the beginning but I quickly grew to love it. It is a wonderful feeling to help people succeed in their own business, ” says MacKenzie.

MacKenzie says she loves being involved with people, from the ordinary small business owner to the C.E.O’s of big corporations. It provides her with a lot of variety in her day to day work and even more satisfaction when she can help a business become successful. It’s this positive attitude that has helped her climb the success ladder at the chamber, and led to her appointment as the Chamber’s Executive Director.

The Upper Ottawa Chamber of Commerce has approximately 260 member businesses. MacKenzie has made positive changes in the Chamber since she began there and hopes to keep doing the same in the future. “My plan is to stay with the Chamber, and help it grow and become a better organization that businesses want to be involved in,” says MacKenzie.

MacKenzie has played a significant role in improving many aspects of the Chamber that have given its members more services that assist them in improving their business. She is particularly pleased with the introduction of an awards program that recognizes the achievements of businesses in the area. “For the past few years the Chamber has held an awards gala  and I think it is just great to see the number of businesses that have been publicly recognized for the contributions they are making to the community,” says MacKenzie.

Over the years Mackenzie and her husband, Larry Mackenzie, a Graduate of Algonquin College’s Personal Support Worker program, have been active volunteers in the community. On her list of volunteer work are her local church, and the United Way, an organization that she once sat on the board of Directors for. Mackenzie has received letters of appreciation and certificates of merit from many organizations for her tireless community work, including the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 72 in Pembroke.

“I use my business education everyday,” says Mackenzie. “The program at Algonquin touched on every aspect of the things you need to know, it was very well rounded.” She remarks that is was great to be amongst peers and teachers in classes that she could relate to.

When the opportunities arise Mackenzie builds on her Algonquin education by pursuing other educational challenges. She has obtained her certificate as a sales professional and has completed a course from the Canadian Institute for Organizational Management. “Both my husband and I believe in life long learning,” says Mackenzie.

Today MacKenzie is just working towards her goal of making the chamber the best that it can be. In the meantime, she has inspired other Algonquin College graduates to consider a career in business.