The Crossfield Chamber of Commerce has a new Executive Director and they didn't have to look very far to find her.  

Lani McLeod grew up on a family farm just west of the town and for the past five years has made Crossfield her home along with her husband Tyler and her two boys Rhett and Jasper.  

McLeod has been an active member of the Crossfield community during those five years, spending time volunteering with the playschool, elementary school, and the Crossfield Minor Hockey Association.  When the opportunity came up with the chamber, McLeod jumped at the opportunity.

"I've always enjoyed being a part of the community growing up," she explains.  "I've kind of been in discussion quite closely with the current President of the Chamber and just kind of learning the ropes that way.  I'm getting familiar with the members.  I really want to work towards promoting the member businesses within our community."

McLeod says the Crossfield Chamber is smaller right now and she believes that a stronger chamber is good for all businesses in the community, not just the members.  With the town by-election coming up next Monday, she's been busy recently sending out questions to the candidates on behalf of Chamber members.  McLeod says it's a way for members to stay connected, even though their monthly meetings have all been held over Zoom while the pandemic goes on.

The COVID-19 restrictions have also put a damper on events for the Chamber.  One of the major ones is the yearly Rural Women in Business conference normally held in May.  It was cancelled at that time and McLeod isn't sure if it will be held at all this year.  

McLeod is a big believer in member-to-member programs within the Crossfield Chamber.  "I think it's so important to utilize the local businesses we have here before we travel to neighbouring communities.  I'm hoping to build a connection between the different businesses so we're using more of those member-to-member programs."

McLeod has already set some goals that she'd like to see achieved within the Chamber.  "I'd love to see a majority of businesses being a part of the Chamber and become a unified voice within the community.  Kind of taking a role in attending some of the town council meetings and speaking up on behalf of business and kind of advocating for themselves as a group instead of taking things on one at a time."

McLeod believes there's power in numbers and if businesses work together they can do a lot of great promotions with each other and show off what Crossfield has to offer.  

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