Board of Directors

Chairperson

Margaret Hohner

Margaret Hohner is recently retired from the position of Co-operative Education Coordinator for Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. She relocated to Merritt in 2019 from Lillooet, BC, where she held the position of Community Coordinator for Thompson Rivers University and was the District of Lillooet, Community Grant Writer for Economic Development. Marg has 30 years of experience in Post-secondary education administration, 10 years in Television Production, and holds a Master’s in Education. She loves to be involved in her community, so her retirement continues to be busy, as the Chair of the Merritt Chamber and as a Teacher on Call with the School District. Marg is passionate about community economic development and sits on the City of Merritt’s Economic Development Committee.

Marg has previous experience as a director on the boards of several community organizations including Community Futures, Lillooet Chamber of Commerce, Lillooet Historical Society, Tourism Lillooet, and the Gold Country Communities Society. She was also a founding member of the Lillooet Community Adult Learning Centre, Lillooet 100 People Who Care Society, and the Lillooet Rotary Club.

Director

Jeff Stirling

Jeff Sterling has been with the Merritt & DistrictChamber of Commerce since shortly after hisrelocation to Merritt in 2021 to manage a brand newBarkman Concrete plant. His commitment,dedication and invaluable experience as a businessmanager have made Jeff a crucial member of theteam, as he quickly rose to the position of VicePresident.

Director

Una Kuzio

I have been practicing law in Kelowna since April of2008.
In early 2012, I moved my practice to a small local law firm before opening Touchstone Law Group LLP in Kelowna in October 2012 with a partner. Running Touchstone Law Group LLP provides an opportunity to combine my law practice with the chance to engage more in the business side of the legal industry.
In 2018, I relocated to Merritt, BC and share my time between the Kelowna office and a part-time, appointment only office in Merritt. I appreciate the opportunity I get to engage individuals in both communities in the course of my practice. While I frequently get asked about it, the commute between Merritt and Kelowna is not that bad and provides a great opportunity to engage in higher level thinking and enjoying the unlimited supply of available podcasts.

Director

Max Patel

Max is a TRU alumnus who graduated from the marketing program in 2018. He came to Kamloops in 2016 and since then, has been in love with the community. Previously, Max was a business owner, freelancer, and professional athlete which gave him a well-rounded background. He believes in taking up new challenges and pushing his abilities to the limit. In 2018, he became part of the advertising industry and has found success in marketing using Digital, Print, Radio, and Television platforms. His agency-style approach has helped many local clients to set and achieve their marketing goals. When not working you will find Max volunteering at community events, and exploring the great outdoors that Merritt and the surrounding areas has to offer.

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Director

Deborah Petrovitch

Deborah Petrovitch is the Program Manager for Community Futures Thompson Country, managing WorkBC centres in Merritt, Ashcroft and Lillooet. She has worked in employment services since 2010 and offers unique insight into economic development and the local labor market. Deborah is also a self-employed entrepreneur and Registered Holistic Nutritionist providing personal nutritional counselling services since 2011. Prior to this she worked as a real estate agent with developers in Chilliwack, Kamloops and Merritt. Deborah understands that “Self employment is not for the faint of heart. It is for the brave, the patient, and the persistent. It is for the overcomer.” Hands-on and eager to serve the members of the Chamber, Deborah looks forward to serving her business community. Deborah is also a mom and loves the outdoors spending time in nature with her dog Finn and enjoys travelling, hiking, swimming, kayaking and camping.

Director

Junaid Din 

Junaid Din is an Executive Director at The Florentine, asenior’s home located in Merritt BC. He moved to Merrittfrom Toronto in 2022 and has been thriving in his currentposition ever since. Junaid holds a Bachelor’s degree inBusiness Administration from University of Algoma,where he gained valuable skills and knowledge that havehelped him excel in his career.

Director

Devin Jollimore

Devin Jollimore, a passionate advocate for community service and professional excellence, has navigated a diverse career journey marked by resilience and adaptability.

Emerging from a dedicated tenure as a full-time firefighter, Devin transitioned seamlessly into Emergency Services within the oilfield, where he thrived amidst dynamic challenges. His trajectory ultimately led him to the dynamic world of real estate, where he discovered his calling, driven by a steadfast commitment to helping individuals secure their ideal homes while optimizing savings.

Outside his professional pursuits, Devin finds rejuvenation in the boundless expanse of the outdoors, finding solace along hiking trails and relishing the spirited competition of pickleball matches. As a devoted family man, Devin cherishes every moment spent with his beloved wife and two children, drawing strength and inspiration from their unwavering support.

Devin's altruistic endeavors extend beyond professional realms, as he actively participates in community outreach and volunteer initiatives, embodying a steadfast dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

With a fusion of passion, expertise, and a profound commitment to service, Devin Jollimore continues to leave an enduring imprint, enriching both the realm of real estate and the communities he passionately serves.

Director

Rashmeet Kaur 

Community and Business Engagement Coordinator

Rashmeet is a dynamic professional with a proven track record in community and business engagement, coupled with extensive experience in customer service and training management within the finance and operations sectors. As a dedicated Community and Business Engagement Coordinator, Rashmeet has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering positive relationships between organizations and the communities they serve.

Rashmeet's passion for customer service excellence is evident in her approach to training and development. Through her leadership, she has implemented comprehensive training programs that empower team members to deliver exceptional service while adhering to industry regulations and best practices.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rashmeet is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She actively enjoys reading, painting, and volleyball, and has represented her school at national and state levels in volleyball and swimming, respectively.

Director

Amber Papou, B.ED.,MBA

Amber Papou, B.Ed., MBA

BIO:

Amber Papou is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in leadership roles across the charitable and corporate sectors. In addition to being a certified BC educator and holding an MBA, she is also a licensed real estate professional. Currently, she is the CEO of SelfDesign Learning Foundation and Nest Real Estate Group. Amber has held numerous Board of Director roles and is excited to serve on the Merritt & Nicola Valley Chamber of Commerce Board. As a community-minded, long-time resident of Merritt (1993-2012 and 2021-current), she is passionate about leveraging her extensive experience to help drive economic and social development in the community. In her spare time, Amber enjoys cycling, running, and spending time with family and friends

Director

Anita Dumont

Anita joined the Merritt Chamber Board of Directors in early 2023 at the 2022-23 Chamber Annual General Meeting. Her previous work experience in employment, training and education has proven to be invaluable to the Chamber team, and her consistent commitment is deeply appreciated.