Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce Team
Executive Director - Sarah Freeman (she/her)
Contact Sarah: ed@bowvalleychamber.com
Sarah Freeman (she/her) is a passionate community builder, swim coach, and changemaker who’s making waves — both in business and in the water.
As the Executive Director of the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce and Alberta’s Executive Director of the Year (2024), Sarah brings bold energy, heart, and vision to everything she leads.
She’s the driving force behind the Bow Valley Women in Business Initiative, now thriving in its second year, creating space, connection, and momentum for local women entrepreneurs and leaders to rise together.
Sarah also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for YWCA Banff, now in her second term, where she continues to support opportunties and growth in many areas across the Bow Valley for young women, and women.
Outside of her chamber work, Sarah runs Sarah Freeman Coaching, where she’s spent over a decade empowering adults — especially women — to dive into swimming with confidence.
Her newest initiative, Swim It Forward, dedicates 5% of business proceeds to support a young woman who has faced adversity and is chasing a dream through swimming — because Sarah believes in lifting the next generation, one stroke at a time.
She also brings her local lens to the national stage as a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Growth and Inclusion Committee, continuously sharing insights between the Bow Valley and the broader business community.
When she’s not building community or championing others, you’ll find her training in the pool or braving the open water. A dedicated endurance athlete and masters swimmer, Sarah doesn’t just talk about going the distance — she lives it.
Executive Assistant - Jennifer Schmidt (she/her)
Contact Jennifer: askus@bowvalleychamber.com
Jennifer works alongside Sarah to help support Chamber members through coordinating meaningful events and supporting administrative functions. With a passion for fostering joy and connection, she thrives in creating meaningful opportunities for local businesses to engage and build relationships.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism from the University of Alberta, specializing in Recreation Therapy and Human Physiology. Before joining the Chamber, Jennifer spent much of her career as a Recreation Therapist with Alberta Health Services, where she especially enjoyed working in mental health and addictions. This isn’t Jennifer’s first experience with a Chamber of Commerce—her first job was as an events coordinator with the Wetaskiwin Chamber, which sparked her love for event planning.
Beyond her role at the Chamber, Jennifer is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and the owner of Ignite Health Coaching and Wellness, where she integrates functional medicine principles with her background in recreation therapy to provide a holistic approach to well-being. She blends physiology and psychology to help runners and triathletes reconnect with their energy and joy. As a workshop facilitator and motivational speaker, she shares insights on mental wellness, motivation, and living in alignment with one’s values.
An avid off-road triathlete, Jennifer finds joy in swimming, mountain biking, and trail running. She also loves a good book, a great cup of tea, and soaking in the stunning views of the Bow Valley. A deep thinker at heart, she values meaningful conversations and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in her community.