Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
The Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are dedicated volunteers that are 100% focused on you and your business. The BVCC board of directors work on providing many initiatives to aid and support Bow Valley businesses. The BVCC continues to go above and beyond for Bow Valley businesses and we are committed to offering more valuable programs and services for BVCC members.
Jaime Birch (she/her)
President as of January, 2025 - 1st Term
Jaime is an entrepreneur and the owner/operator of a graphic design company, Jaime Birch Design.
As a long time Bow Valley resident, having resided in Canmore for over two decades, Birch has seen the Bow Valley business community grow and change over time. She loves the passion of the business owners in the valley and relishes the numerous opportunities she has to share in their passion as she helps to develop visual brand identity, marketing materials and product packaging for the businesses here. You can see many of her logo designs gracing the store fronts and workspaces of Bow Valley businesses.
As a solopreneur, engaging in the greater business community through networking, brainstorming and collaboration is incredibly important to Jaime. She really believes in the importance of the opportunities that the BVCC provides for this type of engagement and is excited to serve as a member of the board.
Austin Ward
Vice President - January 2025 - 1st Term
Austin is a lawyer at Field Law in Canmore helping local businesses in the areas of employment, intellectual property law, and dispute resolution. Advising clients on best practices and risk management gives Austin a unique perspective on how to best serve BVCC’s diverse membership. Austin is thrilled to be serving the local business community as a member of the BVCC Board of Directors.
Prior to attending law school in Calgary, Austin spent several years working as a server and bartender in Canmore. During this time, he developed a passion for the hospitality industry and the Bow Valley business community. Austin credits his time working in local restaurants and bars for his decision to pursue law. He views the practice of law as the ultimate service industry and is proud to be supporting clients in the Bow Valley and across Alberta and British Columbia. When Austin isn’t taking advantage of the incredible local restaurant scene, he enjoys travelling and exploring the West Coast and Rocky Mountains with his partner and Golden Retriever, Yuki.
Jade Ansley (she/her)
Board Member - 2022 - 2nd Term
Jade Ansley is the director and curator of Canmore-based atelier, PROJECT A, established in 2017. Her work there has supported the careers of hundreds of emerging visual artists. Born and raised in the Bow Valley, Jade has volunteered for many local organizations and events including The Canmore Rotary Club, artsPlace, The YWCA’s VINEart Gala, Pine Tree Players, and now as a board member for the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Vice Chair for the Downtown Canmore Business Improvement Area (BIA) board of directors.
Peter Mejia
Board Member - 2024 - 1st Term
Peter Mejia is a trusted Realtor® specializing in Canmore, Banff, the Bow Valley and Cochrane.
Let Peter be your guide as you purchase your dream home or investment property in the heart of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains! He's a bilingual agent fluent in English and Spanish.
But Peter is no one-trick pony. Oh no, this man of many talents is the mastermind behind ROCKIES MAPS, a Canmore & Banff Visitor Map that guides you to the best local spots in the Bow Valley, and the visionary behind ROCKIES REAL ESTATE TOURS, where one can tour the Rockies while searching for their dream home. His immersive tours are designed to make your property search an unforgettable adventure!
Simon Moreau
Board Member - 2025 - 1st Term
Simon discovered Canmore in 2015 where he quickly decided to set roots here and start exploring the mountains either trail running, mountain biking, climbing, skiing or hiking. When not playing in the great outdoors, Simon is guiding small business owners who feels owned by their business and don’t know where their cash is going to take control of their cash flow and to build a business that supports their best life. All this without the stress of not understanding the accounting and financial jargon. His simple and clear method will get you to have a growing and profitable business.
Chelsea Cudmore
Board Member - 2025 - 1st Term
Chelsea is the Co-President of Cudmore Group, a nationally recognized family retail business with deep roots in Prince Edward Island spanning over 110 years.
A graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island and Saint Mary’s University with a focus in Business and Marketing, Chelsea brings extensive experience in retail strategy, operations, and leadership. Having worked across various roles within her family’s business, she combines a deep respect for tradition with a passion for retail, innovation and sustainable growth.
Cudmore Group expanded its footprint nationwide with exponential growth over the last 10 years. Elevating the in-store experience to enhance guest satisfaction. Her commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of the business, from maintaining the highest standards of quality to fostering a culture of integrity and customer-centricity has enhanced its guest experience while maintaining its commitment to quality and community values. In addition, she currently serves on the Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board and is a proud member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), where she connects with fellow leaders to share ideas and drive positive impact.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Chelsea is deeply engaged in community initiatives and recognizing the importance of giving back to the communities that have supported Cudmore Group’s success. With a family business legacy spanning over 110 years, Chelsea is dedicated to preserving the family heritage while charting a course for continued success in an ever-evolving retail landscape. In her spare time, you'll find Chelsea adventuring in the mountains with her husband, Jon, young daughter and soon to be baby on the way!
Chris Palivan
Board Member - 2025 - 1st Term
Chris is the Co-Founder and CEO of Stellar Experiences, a bespoke leadership development company that delivers its programs through adventure and wellness experiences, with the purpose of raising funds to fight against child-trafficking.
Since moving to Canmore in 2023 with his young family, Chris and his team at Stellar Experiences have emerged as leaders in delivering luxury, immersive and highly curated transformational experiences.
As the preferred signature partner of the Rimrock Resort to deliver corporate group adventure programs, along with being endorsed by Travel Alberta in 2025 and awarded the BVCC New Business of the Year Excellence Award in 2024, Chris and his team continue to shoot for the stars and elevate the profile of our region.
For those who know Chris, such successes may not come as a surprise given his zest for living his best life, having extensively traveled the world to more than 40 different countries, over 6 continents. As an award-winning serial entrepreneur, Chris has lived and worked in 6 different countries, established a B&B in Blue Mountain, Ontario and founded the award winning Toronto Cider Festival, the largest of its kind in Canada. Through these ventures, he has launched a scholarship foundation, mentored 100s of event management students, and provided over 10,000 meals to children in need; all while working on the global stage in leadership roles with the likes of FIFA, TIFF, Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games and Invictus Games.
Inspired by his 2 children and wanting to be a force for good, his contribution to our community as a young entrepreneur, a young father and a community coach is invaluable. It is this very desire to be of service to those around him that has led him to want to be part of the BVCC Community.
Brett Foskett
Board Member - 2025 - First Term
Brett Foskett is the co-owner of Valley Sign and Design (www.valleydesigns.ca), a full-service sign shop bringing bold ideas to life across the Bow Valley. A designer at heart and a wearer of many hats, Brett brings creative visions to life for businesses big and small, from restaurants and retail shops along Main Street and Banff Avenue to vehicle wraps, hotel wayfinding systems, and branded signage for tour operators and local trades.
Since arriving in Banff for a ski season in 2004, Brett has worked nearly every corner of the Bow Valley economy. His experience spans hospitality, tourism, events, retail, and even maintaining the Kananaskis backcountry with Alberta Parks. That diverse background, paired with nearly a decade of signmaking and over 20 years of living in the Valley, gives Brett a unique understanding of the needs and challenges faced by a wide variety of local businesses.
When he’s not in the sign shop or on-site with a new project, you’ll find Brett out in the mountains, scrambling peaks, exploring ridgelines, camping in the backcountry, or losing balls on one of the Bow Valley’s many amazing golf courses. He’s passionate about keeping the spirit of the Valley alive and is excited to bring a creative, practical, and community-minded perspective to the BVCC Board.
BVCC Board Info:
* We are looking for a Banff business owner to join our board. Get in touch if you are interested.
- BVCC Board meetings are consistently held on the 2nd Monday of every month excluding July, August and December.
- The BVCC Board of Directors must have minimum of 5 and max of 9 board members.
- Board meeting attendance and minutes are available to the BVCC membership. Please contact us if you would like to attend or view minutes.
- At any meeting of the Board, 50% of the Directors plus one shall form a quorum for the transaction of business.
- BVCC board member term length is 2 years with an option to renew for another 2 years. After 4 consecutive years have been served the board member must step down for at least 1 year before joining the board again if they wish to do so.
- ALL BVCC board members must have a membership in good standing of the BVCC.