For 137 years, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce has championed business leaders and connected communities. As times changed, industries emerged while others faded, demographics evolved and paradigms shifted. Throughout it all, the Chamber also underwent changes. Today’s Chamber is a lively, diverse one that espouses diversity, embraces arts and industry alike and shows leadership by example.
Doug Griffiths, president & CEO of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and The World Trade Centre, is leading the charge. His company, 13 Ways, is based on his international best seller, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. Delivered in a relatable style, the book shows how everyday citizens can have an impact in their communities. He also has a background in politics; this well-rounded mix of lived experience and world view shows in how he has helped to reinvent the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce – and, alongside his team, ensures it stays impactful now, and relevant far into the future.
Griffiths took the role in October of 2024.
“I was honoured to be given the responsibility and the important task of rebuilding the Chamber, and the organization that is so important to this city and its business community,” he says. “Since I left politics over 11 years ago, I have worked with communities, chambers, regional economic development entities and the like all over North America. I love this city and I believe in it, so I felt compelled to spend some time working locally on building up an organization that is so important to Edmonton’s business community and its economic prosperity.”
Through the lens of his consultancy with 13 Ways, Griffiths has a unique view of the Chamber’s revival.
“I have spent a lot of time working with other entities to help them find success,” he says. “To see the Chamber rise back to prominence, influence and importance demonstrates that the techniques I consulted on aren’t just abstract and advisory in nature. They work, and the Chamber rebuild is the proof.”
What is the goal? Prosperity – for all.
“Ultimately, I want to make Edmonton and Edmontonians richer, not just financially, but in all aspects of their quality of life too – safety, walkability, affordability, amenities and so on. We all deserve a richer life, and that is determined by the richness of the community in which we live. And I have to say one more time, a rich life does not come from money alone.”
Griffiths is out to prove that the Chamber is about business, but not just about business alone. By supporting business, the Chamber supports the community. It provides a foundation for businesses to have ready access to the resources, mentorship, advocacy and networking it needs in one location. This empowers more time for business leaders to create jobs, nurture teams and engage in charitable giving.
“Our community is only as good as what we are willing to contribute to it. It is not a community. It is our community. If you want to make a difference, get involved. Join the Chamber and help us drive greater success for you.”
That isn’t to say there aren’t challenges. In fact, the challenges are more prevalent than ever before.
“I think we are past the point of ignoring changes and challenges politically, socially and economically,” Griffiths admits. “Change and upheaval are the new normal. Though we have spent the last two years rebuilding the Chamber so we could be there for businesses better in the future, we have and will continue to advocate for the tax structure, the infrastructure and the policies that will allow businesses to invest, grow, adapt and prosper through the changes and upheavals.
“That means advocating for a more diversified tax base in the city so the tax burden for the business community doesn’t force them to locate elsewhere, advocating for interprovincial infrastructure and labour mobility that allows adaptability and growth across the country and advocating for technology and educational investments that keep Edmonton, the province and the country investable and adaptable.”
The Chamber is very proactive on this stance.
“Next year we will be facilitating micro-credentialed education and training that will help small businesses learn what they need to on the fly to be responsive and resilient through the changes that continue to come at us.”
The drive to help businesses be nimble is echoed through Heather Thomson, vice president, economy & engagement; and Laura Kinghorn, vice president, partnerships & community relations.
Thomson, a busy mom of two young boys, also serves as a director on the board of the Edmonton Arts Council and on the Downtown Business Association Economic Development Committee.
“I have always been passionate about supporting Edmonton’s economy,” she says. “From my first job at Lululemon Athletica to creating a digital support program for businesses during the pandemic, I have seen firsthand that a strong economy is the backbone of a great city. The Chamber was a natural fit because it sits at the intersection of business, policy and community impact.
Thomson assumed her position on January 8, 2024.
“I felt humbled, nervous and excited. More than anything, I wanted to seize the opportunity this role provides to work on the issues I care most about: economic growth, business success and building a thriving city,” she recalls.
Her recently completed masters degree in behavioural economics plays a vital role.
“I became deeply curious about how people choose to spend their time and money and developed a real love for economic data,” she shares. “Along the way, it became clear that Edmonton was missing critical data to accurately measure our economic success, which is why I was so proud to publish the Chamber’s State of the Economy report.”
“My ultimate goal is simple,” Thomson continues, “to make Edmonton rich and help create generational wealth here. I want the Chamber to be the leading economic advocate for the business community in our city. Since the Chamber does not receive operating funding from any level of government, we are in a unique and important position to always put the interests of businesses first. A healthy economy is the horse that pulls the social cart: when businesses are thriving, they generate the jobs, tax base and philanthropy that fund the services, arts and quality of life that make Edmonton an amazing place to live.
“The Chamber is Edmonton’s economic storyteller and scorekeeper. Through tools like the State of the Economy report, we are building a clear, independent picture of how our region is performing so that businesses, governments and investors can make decisions based on evidence, not anecdotes. We also use that data to advocate for policies that make it easier to start, grow and invest in Edmonton.”
She means that for every single Edmontonian. It is no secret that the earlier business decades – and even the earlier days of Chambers of Commerce across Canada – were not focused on diversity or gender inclusion.
“There is some truth to that perception historically, and pretending otherwise does not help anyone,” says Thomson. “Like many business institutions, Chambers were built in an era when leadership tables did not reflect the full diversity of the communities they served. If people do not see themselves represented in the room, it is easy to assume the opportunities and networks are there ‘for someone else.’”
However, “The important thing is that this is changing and must continue to change. A modern Chamber must be intentional about inclusion: who is on stage, who is on boards and committees, who is being invited into rooms where decisions are made. The goal is not diversity for its own sake; it is about ensuring that women, racialized entrepreneurs, newcomers, Indigenous businesses and underrepresented founders can see themselves in the business community and know that the Chamber is a place where their voices and concerns matter.”
As a woman in a leadership position, she strives to be a good example.
“Representation absolutely matters. When women see other women in senior roles at the Chamber, it sends a clear signal that this is a place where their experience, ambitions and businesses belong. It lowers the barrier to walking into a networking event, asking for support or stepping into leadership roles within the organization. Beyond visibility, women in leadership influence what gets talked about and prioritized. It changes the questions we ask—about access to capital for smaller firms, childcare and caregiving realities, equitable procurement and the supports that make entrepreneurship possible at different life stages. That perspective helps ensure our programs, advocacy and events work for a wider range of business owners, which ultimately makes the entire ecosystem stronger.”
Vice president Kinghorn feels the same. Outside of her Chamber responsibilities, Kinghorn is the
Vice Chair for the Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre Board of Director, and for the last eight years, has also been the co-chair for the Silver Bell Soiree, which supports the University Hospital Foundation as part of the Festival of Trees.
She also has a unique background in business.
“Before joining the Chamber, I was drawn to its role as a connector between business, community and civic leadership,” Kinghorn says. “I bring more than 25 years of experience in business operations, having led large teams and managed complex, multi-site operations across luxury retail brands including Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Chatters. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for operational portfolios and budgets ranging from $1 million to more than $100 million, with a focus on disciplined execution, people leadership and long-term organizational performance.”
She continues, “That experience also deepened my understanding of what businesses need to thrive. From workforce development and leadership training to navigating growth, change and economic uncertainty, I saw firsthand how policy, community conditions and partnerships directly impact business success. As my career evolved, I became increasingly drawn to work that operated at a system level, bringing leaders together to solve shared challenges.
“When the opportunity arose to join the Chamber directly, it felt like a natural progression. It brought together my private sector experience, my passion for partnership-building and my commitment to making Edmonton a stronger, more connected city.”
Kinghorn joined the Chamber in March 2024 as the first executive director overseeing business development.
“In November 2024, I was promoted to vice president, taking on a broader mandate and deeper involvement across some of the Chamber’s most important community touchpoints,” she says. “Receiving the title was both humbling and energizing. It felt like a strong vote of confidence and reinforced the responsibility that comes with the role. I take great pride in serving as a trusted connector between our community and our partners and approach that work with care, intention and a deep commitment to making Edmonton a better place. Professionally, I view my role at the Chamber as being something I have credibly earned based on all my decades of experience in giving back to our community and operating businesses within it.”
Like Thomson, being a female vice president at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is not lost on her.
“The simple fact that I would not have been able to work at the Chamber when it was created as a Board of Trade, because I am a woman, shows how dramatically things have changed!”
Griffiths is quick to chime in that his two vice presidents are in their roles because of their talent, their experience and their drive, not because they are women, which made all three smile and nod.
“I am honoured to get to work with two incredibly talented community and business leaders,” he Griffiths.
Like Thomson, Kinghorn also uses her role as an example to others and to help further necessary change.
“Before working at the Chamber, I was inspired to see a female CEO, multiple female board chairs and many women on the board of directors. I hope having two strong women as vice presidents of the Chamber instills that same optimism for inclusion within the community now.”
For those that have yet to engage with the Chamber as a member, a participant in its events or to make use of its educational and advocacy resources, Griffiths, Thomson and Kinghorn say: the time in now.
“I think those who know, know this city has a lot to offer,” says Griffiths. “What we need to do better is ensure the full story of this city is told, and especially to those who don’t know. Edmonton is known for affordability, but we are more than that. Our challenge is that we don’t have a brand or story to share that is coherent and inspirational. We attract businesses and talent, but it is more because of good fortune than deliberate action right now. The business community needs to step up and tell the story. By the time you are reading this, that story may be coming to light.”
Thomson agrees, noting, “Because we are funded by members, not through government operating dollars, we can keep our focus firmly on what is best for the business community. That means championing smart regulation, highlighting success stories and making sure Edmonton’s voice is heard in the regional, provincial and national conversations that shape where capital and talent go next.”
For Kinghorn, the continued evolution is one best served by the business community coming together to create incredible impact.
“I want the Chamber to be viewed as one of the strongest investments a business can make,” she says. “That requires a clear and shared understanding of our purpose. Even after 137 years, many people are still surprised to learn that we are not government funded and that our mandate is driven directly by the business community we represent. Changing that perception, and clearly articulating our value, is essential to the work ahead.”
As the Chamber continues to evolve, grow and thrive, it is clear its future and impact are only going to get brighter and more meaningful to the business community and the entire city.
The president and vice presidents conclude, “Our business community understands the importance of a thriving economy. The Chamber brings businesses together, amplifies your voices and strengthens our local economy. Investing in the Chamber is investing in the future prosperity of Edmonton.”
Learn more and get involved at www.edmontonchamber.com.
