Saskatoon chamber searching for new CEO

The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new chief executive officer to replace Darla Lindbjerg.

After spending three years on the job, Lindbjerg will work her last day as head of the chamber on April 30.

Board chair Chris Sicotte said he could not discuss the specifics or elaborate on the departure, but wanted the more than 1,500 members of the chamber to know there will be no leadership void with Lindbjerg’s departure.

“We wish Darla (Lindbjerg) all success in the future,” Sicotte said. “But obviously we need to also be cognizant that the business of the chamber needs to carry on, not only in the current situation we face with COVID-19, but also into the future as a chamber.”

Lindbjerg, the first woman to lead the chamber, will be pursuing other opportunities, according to a media release.

Sicotte confirmed an interim CEO will be announced by mid-May as a search for a full-time candidate continues.

The change in leadership comes as many businesses struggle to keep up services and operations as a response to curb the spread of COVID-19 forced business closures across the province.

While Sicotte is used to evaluating talent, undergoing a job hunt in a pandemic is a new experience for him.

“It is something that’s obviously going to be unique,” Sicotte said.

“Just because we’re in a pandemic situation right now doesn’t mean that candidates won’t be looking for work, so we’re very hopeful that we’re going to be able to get some very high quality candidates when we do that search.”

The new hire will be the third CEO for the chamber in the last 24 years. Before Lindbjerg, Kent Smith-Windsor served as either CEO or executive director for 21 years.

“We have to take a look at where we’re going, and we wish Darla (Lindbjerg) all the best with where she goes in the future,” Sicotte said.