Niagara Chamber Partnership Virtual Summit
Meet Your Hosts
Niagara Chamber Partnership
Niagara’s communities have outstanding Chambers of Commerce, and we are especially proud of our partnerships within the Niagara Chamber Partnership.
In Niagara, nine local Chambers have joined together to give you outstanding value with a truly regional experience that offers you access to a strong regional advocacy voice, more exposure, more connections, and stronger relationships with businesses across Niagara.
The nine organizations that form the Niagara Chamber Partnership (NCP), bring a united presence to regional issues, opportunities for additional networking at joint events, and the power of exposure across multiple Chamber websites and communication pieces, such as newsletters and social media channels.
As a member in good standing with your local/home Chamber, you are eligible to become an associate member of any of the other participating Chambers for just $75 annually (per Chamber). It’s affordable, easy, and provides you with the opportunity to take advantage of membership benefits across Niagara at a fraction of the cost of individual memberships. Certain conditions apply, ask us for more details.
Meet Your Speakers
Andrew Soave: Business Owner, Investor, Operations Expert
Andrew has enabled over $1 billion in business value creation throughout his career through his expertise in process improvement, change management, accountability coaching, and manager effectiveness. He has a proven track record of solving complex business problems across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia in a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, real estate, and heavy industries such as energy, mining, and manufacturing. Andrew is uniquely positioned to drive results through a combination of experiences as a consultant at both operations and strategy firms, owner of multiple businesses, and course instructor for Kaplan Test Prep. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Toronto, a Bachelors of Health Sciences from McMaster University, and a certification in Leading Continuous Improvement from INSEAD.
Katy Letourneau: Owner, Custom Sign Labs
I am the co-owner of Custom Sign Lab in Beamsville and the current president of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. I am passionate about the success of local SMBs. Our business increased sales by 60% and doubled our staff last year. This year we’re on track increase revenue by another 50%. I live in Grimsby with my husband and two young kids.
Larry Chartier: Creative Director & Business Strategist
Larry Chartier is the owner and Creative Director of Pixel Perfect. With over 20 years of experience, he helps small businesses build credibility, drive sales, and create compelling digital strategies. Working with clients locally and across North America, Larry specializes in websites, branding, marketing, and consulting supporting business growth. He also volunteers as a mentor for new entrepreneurs and startups at the St. Catharines Enterprise Centre, where he shares practical, hands-on advice. Outside work, Larry is a dad to seven and a motorcycle enthusiast who’s always ready for his next adventure.
Andreá Jones: Mindful Marketing Strategist
Andréa Jones is the social media strategist who helps you grow with simpler, smarter marketing. With over a decade of experience, Andréa has guided over 4,000 students through her Mindful Marketing Lab, making social media fun and effective—no burnout required. Andréa is also the host of the award-winning Mindful Marketing Podcast, where she shares the latest social media tips and strategies. When she’s not whipping up winning content or recording her podcast, Andréa loves hanging out with her husband and daughters in beautiful Niagara Falls, Canada. Her mantra? Your growth🫱🏾‍🫲🏾your wellbeing. Want to make social media work for you without the hustle? Connect with Andréa at onlinedrea.com or @onlinedrea on Instagram.
Janelle Van Halst: Facilitator, Instructional Designer, Consultant
Janelle Van Halst serves leaders and employees by developing their people skills so as to be remembered as the best hire, best co-worker, and best leader. Most people unintentionally limit their effectiveness and reputation due to being misunderstood and misinterpreted. Might measurable performance improvement be possible for you? Are leadership, inclusion, resilience, change, interpersonal communication, conflict managment, emotional intelligence, influence, behavioural styles, sales, or service critical for the future and growth of your organization? Janelle is the president of One Particular Harbor, a management consulting business based in the Niagara Region since 1999. She facilitates people skills development via 1:1 coaching and custom-designed training, either face2face or virtually. She has worked in all settings including remote, hybrid, and co-located. Her talent is creating trust and psychological safety which results in people openly sharing diverse perspectives, practicing skills, and taking away practical tools. Janelle has amassed over 5,300 days facilitating workshops and meetings, all of which using her St. Francis Xavier University Adult Education methodology.
Verne Milot: President, Growth and Associates
Verne Milot is founder and President of Growth Associates, Niagara’s leading business advisory service for executives and owners. Holding a proven track record in business growth and strategic execution (having led organizations to 8X revenue increases and $40 million in sales), Verne brings qualified expertise in helping businesses achieve sustainable success. Unlike many “consultants”, his real-world experiences and hands-on approach offers a unique ability to tailor systems that align with specific organizational capabilities and needs. Verne works closely with clients to clarify challenges, identify solutions, and implement action plans that consistently deliver results. His services include executive advisory, business operating system implementation with leadership team and business succession strategies. A founding member and PBCA Master Coach, Verne has earned US national recognition, including being named PBCA Coach of the Year. Known as a “business whisperer,” he’s passionate about helping enterprises thrive for the benefit of both owners and their community.
Randall Baran-Chong, CPA, CA: Founder and CEO, BizBridge
Randall Baran-Chong, CPA, CA is Founder and CEO of BizBridge (www.bizbridge.io). Having spent his career across finance, M&A, venture capital, strategy consulting, and emerging technology, he’s been drawn to tackle societal challenges with innovative solutions. As the grandson of a pioneering Chinese-Canadian restaurant owner in Toronto, Randall was inspired to found BizBridge to foster new generations of ownership. BizBridge has replicated the expertise of business brokers, M&A advisors, and succession planners through conversational, voice-to-voice AI agents that help speak with SMB owners to build a succession plan, get their business ready for saleability, and build their business-for-sale listing and key selling documents. BizBridge is backed by Canada’s leading innovation organizations including the DMZ, Communitech, and Amii, and collaborates with the SMB ecosystem through the Small Business Enterprise Centres, banking partners, legal, and accounting firms from Bay Street to Main Street.
Kate Cassidy: Assistant Professor, Organizational Communication
Kate Cassidy (PhD, Brock University) is a professor of Organizational Communication and a Research Associate with the Niagara Community Observatory. Her current research focuses on how technological advancements like generative AI and remote work reshape workplace communication, collaboration, and organizational culture, particularly in small businesses. She has co-authored several policy briefs, including an upcoming one on Generative AI at Work, and frequently engages the public through media appearances. Drawing from her extensive consulting experience, Dr. Cassidy offers practical strategies to help business leaders adopt AI while maintaining trust and strong group cultures. Her work aims to create workplaces where collaboration enhances productivity, engagement, and a sense of belonging, allowing individuals and teams to thrive.
Clayton Letourneau: Managing Director
Clayton is a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Custom Sign Lab, a leader in experiential fabrication and sign manufacturing. As a second-generation artist and sign-maker, Clayton combines creativity and quality to transform the company into an innovator in crafting immersive environments and brand activations. He is married to his business partner, Katy, and together they balance their professional endeavours with raising two wonderful children. Driven by a commitment to community enhancement Clayton has successfully collaborated with the Niagara Parks Commission, numerous Niagara municipalities, and countless locally owned SMB’s. Under his leadership, Custom Sign Lab is on a mission to double its customer base in 2025. His dedication to excellence, preparedness and quality is reflected in every project that passes through their doors.
Nicole Campbell: Founder & CEO
Nicole Campbell, also known as “The Solutionista,” is a business consultant and project management specialist with over 20 years of experience helping businesses streamline their HR and operations. She’s worked across various industries, including magazine publishing, political communications, charitable organizations and community organizations. Nicole is known for combining innovative AI tools with practical, human-centred strategies to create systems that allow businesses to run efficiently. When she’s not crafting business solutions, you’ll likely find her doing yoga on her paddleboard or puttering in the garden.
Debi Katsmar:Â
Debi Katsmar is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 40 years of experience in the industry, and the owner of Prowl Communications, a full-service marketing agency based in Niagara, Ontario. Debi has worked with thousands of businesses, providing customized solutions that span traditional and digital marketing, web design, CRM systems, and consulting services. As a Zoho Authorized Partner and Constant Contact Solution Provider, Debi helps businesses streamline operations, enhance customer journeys, and drive growth through smart marketing strategies. With deep knowledge in both B2B and B2C sectors, Debi’s expertise focuses on optimizing sales funnels and automating processes to improve business outcomes. Passionate about delivering powerful results, Debi is also a sought-after speaker and author, committed to sharing her insights with businesses looking to expand their reach and impact.
Sana Pabani: Founder
Sana Pabani is the founder and visionary behind Ad and Spike, an AI-driven marketing agency redefining digital engagement and advertising. With deep expertise in artificial intelligence, data-driven strategies, and digital marketing, Sana has developed groundbreaking solutions that enable brands to connect meaningfully with their audiences while driving measurable growth. At Ad and Spike, Sana leads a team dedicated to harnessing machine learning and predictive analytics to deliver hyper-personalized campaigns, transforming how businesses engage in competitive markets. Her insights into the power of AI in marketing make her a sought-after speaker, known for her practical, forward-looking presentations that break down complex technologies into actionable strategies. Sana’s mission is to empower businesses to innovate fearlessly, and her speaking sessions are packed with real-world applications and dynamic takeaways that inspire her audience to lead with AI and drive transformative success.
Kimberly Wardell: Motivational Speaker
Kimberly Wardell, a faith-based speaker who is known for her encouraging messages, and for instilling a sense of purpose, positivity, and empowerment.Â
Her goal is to inspire and empower individuals to achieve their full potential and discover their purpose despite their circumstances by delivering motivational speeches and presentations that encourage personal & spiritual growth, and the development of a positive mindset.
Darren Fry: Project Director
Growing up on the shores of the mighty Niagara River has played a key role in fostering Darren’s deep connection to our environment and the community we call Niagara. His training in geotechnical engineering and over 25 years of experience in the environmental sector has further cemented his commitment to supporting clean and healthy communities. Darren is a Project Director at Walker, a 5th generation family-owned company based here in Niagara. He has managed a range of projects and business from developing Walker’s landfill gas-to-energy business, to leading community-based planning and approval processes to leveraging Walker’s knowledge and expertise to assist local municipalities safely manage their legacy brownfields and landfills. Darren is proud to call Niagara home and equally proud to work for a community-oriented organization like Walker.
Joel DeGroat: CEO
Joel DeGroat is the founder and CEO of Extraordinary Executive Inc., a small business consulting and services firm focused on business growth, strategic planning, and staffing solutions. With over two decades of experience, Joel DeGroat helps businesses achieve profitability while fostering community impact. Based in Ontario, Joel DeGroat supports local enterprises across the Niagara Area, believing that business success is rooted in strong community connections. A proud member of the Chambers across the Niagara region providing Executive Edge Coaching and ProfitMaster Performance Solutions to clients, he emphasizes the balance between financial growth and giving back. At the Business Vitality Summit, Joel DeGroat will discuss “How Connection with Community Creates Sustainability with Business,” sharing insights on how businesses can thrive by investing in their communities.