Corry Gervais

Corry Gervais named as new CEO

for Nanaimo Chamber fo Commerce

Corry Gervais has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.

The announcement outlined that the Chamber Board had formed a Hiring Committee in February. We requested RFPs from four executive search companies, 2 on the mainland and two locally. We accepted the proposal from Clear Choice HR Consulting, a Nanaimo-based company.

The listing was live for the month of March, and we had numerous applications.

Clear Choice performed interviews and checks and 13 candidates were presented to the Hiring Committee mid April. The Hiring Committee interviewed those candidates with Clear Choice as the lead.

5 finalists were chosen, and after a second round of interviews, we settled on 3. These 3 presented to the Board, and we eliminated one and then the Board voted on the final candidate.

Corry Gervais, who has been acting as Interim CEO, was the successful candidate, with her vast knowledge of Nanaimo, of the Chamber and its processes. She has the unique skill set necessary to lead the direction set forth by the Board to ensure that the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce continues to grow its membership; to ensure the organization’s financial stability; to advocate for businesses in the region and offer programs that will enhance and benefit members and the Chamber as a whole.

Corry created and managed a new economic development strategic plan and office for the Oceanside region (Oceanside Initiatives) for the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce and community partners, developing business retention programs to assist regional businesses through the pandemic and beyond. 
 
Corry identified, developed, and gained buy-in for an innovative start-up (Deliver Vancouver Island) intended to strengthen the economic infrastructure of mid-Vancouver Island. She is also the past Executive Director of the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association (DNBIA), where she was tasked with leading the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the strategic plan, provided expert advice to the Board, and maintained a balanced budget. Here she led downtown revitalization programs in a multi-partner environment. She is a relationship-builder and collaborator and has worked and collaborated with many of Nanaimo’s community leaders, various levels of government, businesses, and key business associations locally, regionally, and provincially. 
 
We know Corry is the ideal fit for our Chamber, and we wish her every success in the role.
 
Judy Stephan, Board Chair
Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce