Kamloops Chamber of Commerce announces new executive director

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce has announced its new executive director and they didn’t have to look too far.

In a news release issued today, May 6, the Chamber says Acacia Pangilian will be taking over the role as executive director of the organization. Pangilinan previously worked as the programs and events manager and has been with the chamber since 2015.

Previous to joining the Chamber, Pangilinan worked at the office for local MP Cathy McLeod. While attending Thompson Rivers University, Pangilinan also served as president for Enactus Thompson Rivers which is a student volunteer organization that uses the positive power of business to tackle issues within the community. In 2015, she was also recognized as Enactus Canada’s HSBC Woman Leader of Tomorrow.

Pangilinan has also been an active volunteer with the Kamloops Ambassador Society working with young women in the community.

“Acacia has demonstrated a strong passion and clear vision for the Chamber since she started working here,” Kamloops Chamber of Commerce board president Joshua Knaak says in the release. “She demonstrated her ability to grow and learn in her time as interim director. We are excited to work with Acacia and our business community in the coming years.”

The Chamber had been actively seeking a new executive director after Deb McClelland announced her resignation in November 2018 after nearly 20 years with the Chamber of Commerce. In March, the Chamber announced they had hired John Perks to fill the role as executive director. But after only a couple days, the Chamber stated through a news release that Perks would not be employed as executive director after several controversial screen shots off his personal Facebook account had resurfaced.

Pangilinan started her role as executive director today, May 6.

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