MISSION

As the voice for Bracebridge’s thriving business community, The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce champions a vibrant and sustainable economy. We are dedicated to delivering unparalleled value to our members through advocacy, networking connections, education and promotion.

OBJECTIVES

• To support, encourage and develop business within the Bracebridge Community.
• To deliver high value products, services and opportunities with a focus on advocacy, networking, and education.
• To strengthen the business climate by providing leadership, representation, networking opportunities, services and education to our membership.
• To engage the members in ways that inspires a progressive business climate and contributes to steady economic growth.

Staff

Jaden Hollingshead
–
Executive Director

Emily Brown
Communications & Membership Manager

Board of Directors

Nicolette
Rushton

President

Nicolette (Niki) Rushton grew up in South Africa and immigrated to Canada in 1996, moving to Bracebridge in 2000.‎Niki is a Financial Planner, Investment Retirement Specialist for RBC with 19 years in the Financial Industry. Niki is passionate about  working with clients; helping them to develop a personalized Investment Strategy. Niki believes in shopping locally and is an active participant in most local community events. This is the 3rd board that Niki is on (Bracebridge Soccer and Macaulay Tree House).‎‎Niki is  married with 2 children. In her leisure time Niki enjoys camping with her family, reading, and being involved in the local community.

Nicolette Rushton, CFP®

Board & Staff

Emerson Blackman

Vice President

Emerson Blackman is a former investment advisor and OPP officer. He also served with the Canadian Armed Forces. He is now a mortgage broker with Neighbourhood Dominion Lending. As well as being a mortgage broker, he is also a volunteer firefighter with the Bracebridge Fire Department.

In the past, he was a member of the Economic Club of Canada. Emerson has also been a mentor with the Peel Board of Education on career days with high schools, where he would discuss how to transition from high school to higher education or directly to the work force. He hopes to use his energy and experience to help the Chamber of Commerce better serve our existing members as they navigate this tumultuous and challenging time, as well as grow as an organization.

When businesses do well, our entire community thrives. He also strongly feels that, as business owners, we have an obligation to reach out to the schools in our area to communicate with educators to try and bridge the divide between business and education. Getting the youth involved though programs and mentorships leads to well-balanced and motivated students. Good students make good employees, and good employees will make our town successful.

Kevin
McKinnon

Treasurer

Kevin McKinnon, with over 15 years of insurance experience, recently purchased Stan Darling Insurance. As the managing partner, Kevin and his group took ownership late in 2022 and are looking forward to working alongside the great communities, company’s, and people of the Parry Sound/Muskoka region.

His entire career has been focused on the insurance industry. His experience spans across the disciplines of all distribution mediums, operations, innovation, product development and segmentation.  Having the opportunity to work with some of the largest Insurance companies in Canada he has built a strong understanding of publicly traded and independently owned companies alike. In various executive roles, Kevin built teams to help deliver innovative approaches to product, pricing and service offerings and enhance the purchasing and service experience of their members and distribution partners.

At the start of 2022, Kevin started his journey in entrepreneurship by starting his own consulting business to help support small/medium size brokerages and aiding start-ups as well across Canada.

Kevin currently resides in the Kitchener/Waterloo region and, when not in the office in Bracebridge, he is either cycling the many mountain bike trails that the province has to offer, or enjoying one of his favourite golf courses in the area. The Muskoka region is home to his parents and family cottage and now his business. The opportunity to spend more time in the region while growing a business that supports the community just was a natural fit.