• Christian Buhagiar, the new Executive Director of the Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, brings over 30 years of experience spanning the for-profit, non-profit, academic, and government sectors.
  • He possesses a robust track record of growing organizations and launching successful initiatives and is recognized for his governance knowledge.
  • Buhagiar will bring clarity, cohesiveness, and foresight to the boardroom, a recent Chamber of Commerce press release detailed
  • His previous roles include President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, President and CEO of Supply Chain Canada, and Vice President of Education at the Institute of Corporate Directors.
  • He assumed the role on January 15, 2024, succeeding former Executive Director Karen Wootton.

 

“Christian brings a wealth of experience…which has equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in our community,” the Chambers Board of Directors told Bullet Point News. “He is well positioned to navigate the dynamic landscape of our local business environment and provide effective leadership to our diverse membership through his commitment to fostering collaboration and building partnerships.”

With his tenure already underway, Buhagiar will be hard at work amplifying the voice of Stouffville’s business community and advocating for policies and initiatives aimed at supporting Chamber members’ growth, the Board explained. He will also support the Chamber’s efforts in delivering networking opportunities, business referrals, and access to educational workshops and professional development resources.

“His ability to bring stakeholders together will contribute significantly to the success of our initiatives and the prosperity of our members,” the Board proclaimed. “We are excited about the positive impact we anticipate Christian will have on the Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to working together to advance the interests of our local business community.”

Buhagiar assumes the role following the departure of former Executive Director Karen Wootton, who served six years in the position. “Under Karen’s guidance, we have witnessed many remarkable achievements, including obtaining numerous grants to support local businesses during COVID, collaborating with the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville to reallocate management of the downtown Stouffville BIA, and increasing membership—which, in turn, has allowed the Chamber to expand services,” Steve Osztertag, Board Chair, extolled in a recent statement.

“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Karen Wootton for her dedicated service to the Chamber of Commerce. Her contributions have been invaluable, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours,” the Board of Directors added. “We are confident that the foundation she helped build will serve as a strong platform for Christian to continue the Chamber’s success.”