Grimsby and District Chamber of Commerce
Connecting businesses and the community together
Our volunteer Board of Directors is a diverse group representing businesses and non-profit organizations throughout Grimsby and the Niagara Region. Dedicated members of the Grimsby Chamber, the board comes together to provide expertise, strategic direction, and overall guidance to the Chamber. The Board’s role is a vital one, bringing leadership, integrity, innovation, and a tremendous pool of knowledge to Chamber activities.
Sean is a small business owner and certified professional coach, specializing in leadership coaching and advisory services for construction, technology, and not-for-profit executives.
Over the course of his career, Sean has accumulated two and a half decades of experience leading, growing, and advising high-performance organizations. He has counseled executives and industry leaders on corporate strategy, team performance, meetings and communication, and operational execution.
Prior to the 2019 launch of his own company, Sean spent ten years leading the Ontario division of a national construction association. Earlier in his career, Sean served as a marketing and corporate communications leader with one of Canada’s largest software companies, and as a communications advisor to a senior Federal cabinet minister.
Sean lives in Grimsby with his wife and their two daughters and serves as a Deacon in his local church.
Kendra is a fully certified dance educator that runs Kinetic Elements Dance Inc. a dance studio in downtown Grimsby. Kendra has traveled and performed all around the World. She is happy to call Grimsby her home.
Kendra has also a graduate from George Brown College in their Social Service Worker program. From there Kendra has developed her own program for young dancers called Decipher to use movement and dance as a tool to help them recognize their strengths, build confidence and develop their self-esteem.
Daniel is a Grimsby native with a passion for marketing and technology. After graduating as a graphic designer, Daniel worked in Toronto, St Catharines, and Niagara Falls in digital marketing and web development before returning home to take over The Dutch Shop in 2019.
As the owner of one of Grimsby’s oldest continuously running businesses, Daniel has a respect for tradition and history, while seeing opportunities to modernize and reimagine business. He is excited to work with local businesses to help Grimsby realize its full potential.
Daniel lives in Grimsby with a house plant that’s not doing great.
Serina is the Director of Sales & Marketing at DeSantis Homes, and in her 11 years with the homebuilder she has managed the Design, Marketing and Sales for over 1500 new homes and condos. Her profound awareness of ever-changing policy and construction technology, and ability to analyze complex issues and develop innovative solutions has helped lead DeSantis Homes to recognition at the national level.
As a youth, Serina attended an art-focused post-secondary institution where she developed a passion for creative arts, and now strives to ensure art is reflected in each community DeSantis builds. Part of her origin story also included a career in digital advertising where she managed over 200 clients ranging from small businesses to multinational companies.
Throughout her career Serina has worked closely with important causes and organizations in Hamilton and Halton, including Board Chair for Halton Food For Thought and as an event committee member for the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. She also served two terms as a Director for the West End Home Builders Association.
At home, Serina loves to garden, and enjoys spending time outdoors and on the water with her young son, husband, and dog.
After growing up in Northern Ontario, attending Wilfrid Laurier University, and living in Asia for five years, Amanda settled in Niagara and started a career in the not-for-profit sector. For the last 10 years, Amanda has worked at McNally House Hospice, focusing on community engagement, fundraising, and most recently, managing the McNally House Hospice Capital Campaign.
As a former board member at Community Care of West Niagara and former volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Amanda has a strong sense of community. She is looking forward to representing the voice of the not-for-profit sector at the Grimsby Chamber’s board of directors.
Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and listening to many audiobooks.
Ben is the co-owner of Spaceless, a digital agency based in Grimsby. He has gained his knowledge and expertise by working with high level agencies in Canada, America and Europe over the past 14 years. He has created content for household brands such as Unilever, Canadian Tire, TSN, Sobeys, Absolute Vodka and Ford. His work has been showcased on platforms such as Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Food Network, Much Music and countless OOH campaigns.
Now that he runs his own business, his goal is to bring what he has learned while working with the major players into the hands of his local clientele and business owners, allowing them to grow and achieve their own brand identity on a much bigger level.
Dan is a Niagara native and a results-oriented digital marketer with 15+ years of online marketing and website creation experience. As the founder and leader of Sryde Digital Marketing, Dan and his team have developed hundreds of websites and online presences for organizations and businesses in Niagara and beyond.
After graduating from Brock University with a degree in Business and Computer Science, Dan held web development and digital marketing positions across Southern Ontario. He then went on to become the Digital Marketing Manager for Niagara’s largest hotel company before departing to run Sryde full time in 2017.
After taking over most of the operations of 2 other digital marketing agencies in 2022, Sryde Digital Marketing has grown to serve over 300 active clients and employs 5 staff members in the Niagara Region.
Alex has worked as a professional photographer for over 20 years. In 2011, his business expanded with the acquisition of a storefront studio in Grimsby, and BLVD Portraits of Distinction was born. At his studio, Alex creates headshots and artistic wall portraits that celebrate and honour people’s passions, achievements, and families.
Alex brings a unique perspective to the Board, having been self-employed most of his life, originally as a personal trainer and later as a professional photographer. At the core of both careers has been Alex’s passion for authentically connecting with people. He also enjoys helping others to connect in a spirit of acceptance and inclusivity, something he has brought to community groups and organizations with which he has volunteered over the years.
Alex has called Grimsby home since 2009, where he lives ad plays with his two children and his wife.
Danielle has been a manager with Harmony Jewellers for 8 years. During this time she successfully completed her Canadian Jewellers Association training and her GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Diamond Grading Certificate.
Three years ago, as an integral member of the planning and development team for Boone Dog Office Space, she helped develop a successful hub for entrepreneurs in the Grimsby area. She has had an active role in many events taking place in downtown Grimsby. Danielle has come to love the town, the people, and all they have to offer.
Danielle loves traveling and spending time with her husband and two boys.
Jackie Van Der Marel is a dedicated business owner, mother of 4, and sports enthusiast. With a BSc in Kinesiology from Wilfred Laurier University and over 15 years of experience as a Certified Canadian Pedorthist, she takes pride in running Bioped Grimsby. Recently appointed as a board member for the Grimsby Chamber of Commerce, Jackie is excited to contribute to the local community.
Executive Director
Rebecca provides the Chamber with excellent management of membership programs and events.
She brings 20 years of professional experience to her role with the Grimsby & District Chamber of Commerce, most recently from Bell Media. Rebecca has many years of office management, administrative, organizational and coordination experience. Her background embraces small- and medium-sized businesses, including a wine agency, a media company, and an IT security firm run by former Dragon Robert Herjavec.
Many thanks to Bryan Macaulay of Village Studio for donating his time and talent to capture our board member photos.
If you’d like to join our Board of Directors or volunteer for one of our committees, please contact Rebecca Shelley at info@grimsbychamber.com or 905-945-8319.