Staff & Board of Directors

Chamber Staff

  • Shannon Merrifield
    CEO
  • Carole Cunningham
    Director of Events & Administration
  • Michael Sadavoy
    Director of Growth & Business Support
  • Deb Tremblay
    Membership & Marketing
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Shannon Merrifield

CEO

506-271-4744
smerrifield@thechambersj.com
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Carole Cunningham

Director of Events & Administration

506.634.8111
ccunningham@TheChamberSJ.com
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Michael Sadavoy

Director of Growth & Business Support

506.651.1887
msadavoy@thechambersj.com
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Deb Tremblay

Membership & Marketing

506.634.8111
dtremblay@thechambersj.com

Board of Directors

  • Serene Allen
    Chairperson
  • Sunny Khosla
    Vice Chair
  • Greg Hierlihy
    Treasurer
  • Doug Jenkins
    Secretary & Director - Representative for Saint John
  • Fraser Wells
    Past Chair
  • Eleanor Austin
    Director & Representative for Grand Bay/Westfield
  • Glen Fillmore
    Director & Representative for West Saint John
  • Meagan Kozak
    Director & Representative for KV
  • Anne McInerney
    Director
  • J. Michael Gauthier
    Director
  • Mara Mallory
    Director
  • Neil Jacobsen
    Director
  • Kevin Perry
    Director
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Serene Allen

Chairperson

Vice President, Strategy & Performance - Port of Saint John

Serene Allen is a dynamic leader with over a decade of experience in leadership, human resources, corporate services, and project management. Serene has been a member of the Port Saint John team since 2015, assuming progressively responsible positions within the organization. She is currently the Vice President of Strategy & Performance, leading various areas, including finance, accounting, procurement, IT, and organizational strategy.

Serene holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick. Through her dedication to professional and leadership development, Serene has achieved designations as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and Project Management Professional (PMP). Serene’s commitment to continuous improvement and delivering results makes her a focused leader for strong organizational performance while developing individuals and teams.

Serene believes in giving back to the community and sits on the Boards of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce and the Saint John Seafarers Mission.

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Sunny Khosla

Vice Chair

Sunny Khosla - Founder NAAS Immigration Services

Sunny Khosla is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant and founder of NAAS Immigration Services. He is a Certified Public Account, New Brunswick, and New Hampshire. He has more than 18 years of experience in the professional industry, with 15 plus years in the leadership roles, with companies like, Royal Bank of Canada, American Express, EXL services. He worked with the Royal Bank of Canada for 3 plus years in different capacity (Commercial Account Manager and Branch Manager).

He is in Saint John from last 5 years. He has made Saint John his permanent home and likes helping the community. He sits on the board of New Brunswick Social Pediatrics and as a Treasurer for EDA.

He served the board for the Three Sisters Condominium corporation as a Treasurer. He was awarded as an emerging leader award in the year 2021 from the CPA New Brunswick.

He brings his diversified experience in the finance world and Immigration. He is bringing lot of people in New Brunswick and helping the existing newcomers in settling down and getting their Permanent residency. He loves what he is doing now and is passionate about helping the community. He also started the Atlantic India Free Kitchen Service for all, to serve food at Outflow, which was replaced by donation model in pandemics.

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Greg Hierlihy

Treasurer

Vice President of Finance and Operations - Saint John Airport

Greg Hierlihy has over 30 years of work experience in finance and accounting. Greg is currently the Vice President  of Finance and Operations  at Saint John Airport Inc.. In March 2021, he took on an additional role as the Interim President and CEO of the company, which lasted until December 2021.

Prior to his  current role, Greg worked at J.D. Irving, Limited from 2003 to 2017. During his time there, he held various roles including Director of Finance, Corporate Services; Director, Accounting and Reporting; Director Financial Planning and Analysis; Director of Finance, JDI Financial Services; Director of Finance, Irving Equipment Division; and Director, Business Development.

 

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Doug Jenkins

Secretary & Director - Representative for Saint John

Founder & President - Ispire Technologies

Doug is the founder and President of iSpire – Inspired Technologies Inc. In January 2015, Doug co-founded ConnexionWorks, a collaborative co-working space in uptown Saint John where iSpire resides. Doug graduated from UNB with an Electrical Engineering degree and is an avid motorcyclist, working part-time as a certified motorcycle instructor. He is driven by helping individuals and companies reach their goals.

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Fraser Wells

Past Chair

Wealth Advisor at RBC Dominion Securities

Fraser was born in Saint John. A graduate of Queen’s University, Fraser is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). After graduation, he began his wealth management career with a major Canadian bank in Toronto, before moving back to Saint John to join RBC Dominion Securities in 2017. He works with business owners, corporate executives, corporations, pension funds, and foundations primarily throughout the Maritimes and Southern Ontario.

Fraser is passionate about community involvement; he volunteers on the board and investment committee of the Greater Saint John Community Foundation.  He lives in Rothesay with his partner, Emilie, and their rescue Australian Shepherd, Rocky.

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Eleanor Austin

Director & Representative for Grand Bay/Westfield

Founder, New Marketing Today

As Founder of New Marketing Today, Eleanor Austin is a leading LinkedIn branding and positioning coach, and LinkedIn Workshop Facilitator.

She specializes in helping leaders discern their unforgettable brand story to create a strategic Profile and Presence on LinkedIn – to grow their brand, business, and career.

Eleanor awakens voices – and has throughout her career.

As a CBC journalist, Eleanor produced creative radio shows brimming with experiential stories, amplifying voices of storytellers reflecting the heart, mind, and soul of our community.

In Tech Marketing, she conducted experiential research to champion the customer’s voice in the boardroom, and in the design of new products and services.

Curiosity infuses Eleanor with a love for storytelling, learning, and sharing what she learns; speaking at conferences, and bringing her marketing savvy to volunteer commitments, including serving on boards for the iconic Imperial Theatre and, the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce.

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Glen Fillmore

Director & Representative for West Saint John

Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Transformation - Saint John Energy

Glen Fillmore is the Executive Director of Strategic Growth and Transformation, and leads Saint John Energy's evolution towards a cleaner, more resilient future. With extensive experience in energy sector transformation, Glen implements innovative solutions that not only reduce emissions and modernize our grid but also strategically advance our local economy and business community. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to community engagement and sustainable energy ecosystems, fostering partnerships and initiatives that support local businesses and stimulate economic growth. Spanning energy, telecommunications, and information technology, Glen's diverse background uniquely positions Saint John Energy for sustained innovation and strategic growth in the evolving energy landscape.

Beyond his professional achievements, Glen's dedication to service is evident through decades of volunteerism with the Saint John Police Force as an Auxiliary Police Constable and as a board member and chair of the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John. Glen's multifaceted contributions to our board enrich our vision for a brighter, more sustainable future, grounded in economic prosperity and community resilience.

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Meagan Kozak

Director & Representative for KV

CEO and Founder of Lume Agency

Meagan has established herself as a dynamic and visionary leader at a young age. Passionate about growth and small businesses, Meagan is dedicated to leveraging the unique opportunities that the Saint John region has to offer.

Under her leadership, Lume Agency is committed to helping small businesses thrive in the online world by elevating their social media marketing strategies. Meagan's innovative approach and deep understanding of the digital landscape enable her to drive remarkable results for her clients, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential in the competitive market.

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Anne McInerney

Director

Vice President Communications J.D. Irving Limited

Anne McInerney brings more than 20 years of community engagement and communications expertise to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. She is currently VP, Communications for J.D. Irving, Limited and has previously served as senior-level communications counsel in consulting and creative firms, and as Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Communications for the Province of New Brunswick, leading a team of close to 50 communications professionals while acting as chief strategic counsel on all proactive and reactive government communications.
In addition to her role as Chamber Director, Anne sits on the boards of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation and MindCareNB and is a member of a national task force for ethical public relations.
Anne has a Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and is an accredited and active member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

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J. Michael Gauthier

Director

Senior Director of Corporate Finance at BMO Commercial Bank

Michael is a Senior Director of Corporate Finance at BMO Commercial Bank, with over 18 years of experience in progressively senior roles within the Bank.  Based in Saint John, where he was born and continues to live, Michael leads tailored financial solutions for mid to large commercial clients, specializing in capital structuring, debt financing and strategic advisory and is known for building strong client relationships and delivering practical growth-oriented solutions.

Deeply committed to community, he volunteers on several Task Force committees with the Chamber and serves on several community boards, supporting economic and civic initiatives in the Saint John region.

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Mara Mallory

Director

Lawyer -Lawson Creamer

Mara Mallory graduated from the University of New Brunswick's law school in 2002, completing her articles and practicing law with a large regional law firm until 2005.  She left private law practice for the business world in 2005, joining an information technology company with global operations.

Her private and public sector experience includes positions in healthcare policy and advocacy, economic policy, and as co-principal of a communications and advocacy consulting firm for six years.

In 2022, Mara returned to private law practice with Lawson Creamer and was re-admitted to the New Brunswick Bar in 2023.  She practices in the areas of litigation, and administrative law.

Mara and her husband have four children and are active in local sports and arts organizations

 

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Neil Jacobsen

Director

Founder Roxham Advisory

Neil has spent decades driving economic growth and diversification in the Saint John and Fundy regions through leadership roles at the Saint John YMCA-YWCA Enterprise Centre, Business Development Bank of Canada, Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership, and Enterprise Saint John.

He most recently served as Deputy City Manager and Acting City Manager for the City of Saint John, leading strategic initiatives and launching the City’s internal continuous improvement and sustainability programs.

Previously, Neil was Assistant Deputy Minister with the New Brunswick Department of Energy and Mines, overseeing energy policy and regulatory affairs. He now serves as Senior Policy Consultant with the Atlantica Centre for Energy.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Neil has owned and operated three small businesses, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from McGill and an MBA from Western University. He teaches in the MBA program at UNB and was appointed a Teaching Associate in the School of Graduate Studies in 2019.

Neil has long supported the Chamber movement, serving as Chair of Small Business Week (Fundy Region), co-chair of the Saint John Board of Trade’s Business and Community Development Committee, and was honoured in 2015 as one of Canada’s Resource Champions by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Saint John Energy and as a Trustee of its pension plan.

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Kevin Perry

Director

Realtor - Exit Realty

Kevin is a lifelong member of the Saint John Region with over 40 years of experience in business, including leadership roles in various sectors. His creativity and passion fuel his current mission as a professional realtor, property manager and residential/commercial designer. Kevin's involvement in the Chamber dates back over 25 years, serving on many committees and the Board of Directors. Kevin is passionate about member retention and support, and is currently serving as the chair of the Membership Committee.