BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Emerson Blackman, Vice President, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce 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, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce 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.

Marc Baudendistel, Secretary, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Some of you might know Marc from Tea on the 45th, which sits inside his Downtown Bracebridge storefront; “The Chancery Lane Co.” His different businesses have been Chamber Members since 2019 when they moved back to Bracebridge. Over the years, Marc has had a varied career in foodservice, hospitality and retail. His experiences have been large and small. He has run his own independent small businesses and has also held upper management positions with larger corporations, some of which include Holt Renfrew and Saks Fifth Avenue in New York. In addition to the “Chancery Lane Co”, he and his partner also own and operate an Interior Design Business. Marc currently serves as Treasurer on the Bracebridge BIA and sit on his Condo Corporations Board of Directors. It is important for him to find time to give back to the communities where he lives and works. Whenever possible, Marc loves to enjoy the beauty of Muskoka, either walking to work to enjoy the Bracebridge Falls or in his Kayak on the Muskoka River. It is so important to him to be present and enjoy this paradise we call home.

Sarah Smith, Director, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Sarah is the District Manager for Kawartha Credit Union, covering the Northern District, which stretches from Parry Sound to South River, to Kinmount, and all the amazing small communities in between. Sarah has been in the financial service industry for 20 years, holding various roles throughout her career. She started with the big banks but found herself drawn to what the credit unions stand for—a movement bringing people closer together through democratic, member-owned financial institutions that put people over profit. With her broad experience, Sarah is a deeply valued team member known for making key connections, building careers, leading inclusive teams, and leveraging her community network to connect people with opportunities. She loves that her organization allows her to get involved in the community through their CIP program. Sarah and her team have been able to support the local OSPCA, the Salvation Army, Adopt a Senior program through the library, and YWCA Girlz Unplugged, just to name a few. Sarah has chosen the leadership path for her career as she enjoys developing others and seeing them reach their full potential. She is actively involved in youth sports in Huntsville, where she resides with her husband and two kids. When not at work, you can find her and her family staying active on the water, hitting the slopes, or camping in the beloved Algonquin Park.

ANDREW LUCIANI, Director, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce

Rebecca Mello, Director, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Following her university graduation, Rebecca moved back to Muskoka to begin her working career. She is a Student at Law currently working in Real Estate, Corporate,Family Law and Wills + Estates, while she prepares to take the Bar exam and become certified to practice law in Canada. Rebecca has a passion for connecting people and hosting social events, and has been hosting events in Muskoka and beyond for almost 2 years. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys running, cooking, sauna and cold plunge and eating acai.

James Steele, Director, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce James Steele is the Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works for the District Municipality of Muskoka. He leads more than 125 employees through capital delivery and operations ensuring services such as Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste and Transportation are provided to residents, business owners and visitors across Muskoka. He has more than 13 years of private sector consulting and heavy construction experience where he focused on providing engineering solutions and building water, wastewater and road infrastructure for private and public sector clients. Following his time in the private sector, he spent more than 14 years in roles within single tier, lower tier and upper tier municipal governments in Ontario. His municipal career began managing the design and construction of roads, water and sewer infrastructure in downtown Toronto and has taken on progressive leadership opportunities. Fortunately, as these opportunities presented themselves he was also able to find ways to live closer to nature. He is an Ontario Licenced Professional Engineer and gives back to the construction industry by helping contractors, subcontractors and owner resolve construction disputes as a certified construction adjudicator in Ontario (ODACC) and for Federal contracts (CANDACC). James, his wife, and their pug enjoy spending time in the peaceful natural beauty of the forest on their little piece of Muskoka.

Mathew Reisler, Director, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce

Mathew has lived in Bracebridge since October 2020 when he joined 99.5 Moose FM as a reporter. He immediately dove in headfirst and traveled to as many events as possible throughout Muskoka. That is where his appreciation for supporting local comes from. He saw first-hand how family-run businesses that were once thriving were struggling and, in some cases, on the verge of closing. Mathew made a point to tell their stories through his reporting in hopes of rallying the community around the businesses that are, in his opinion, the heart and soul of the area.

He joined the Bracebridge Library as its marketing and communications coordinator in September 2024. The new role is an opportunity for Mathew to do even more to support the community by promoting the free programs and opportunities the library offers to anyone who lives in Muskoka.

Mathew is excited to join the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce and continue being at the forefront of supporting local.

Barry Hammond, Town Council Representative, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Lifelong resident of Bracebridge and have been involved in several organizations and associations over the years. Married to Nancy Hammond who just retired after 30 years of teaching. 3 children, Lexi who teaches in Alberta, Oliver who is a sales rep in my company and Kate who is off to University next year. Excited to be elected Monck Muskoka Ward Councilor. Looking forward to joining a vibrant Chamber as we move towards several exciting projects on the horizon.