
Departing Port Hope & District Chamber After 7.5 Years of Leadership
The Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Brenda Whitehead has
been named President and CEO of the organization, effective Monday, August 4, 2025. With a strong
background in small business supports and a deep understanding of the benefits a strong Chamber
offers its community, Whitehead will lead the Chamber’s next phase of growth and influence.
“We are thrilled that Brenda is joining us as President and CEO. She will be an excellent addition to our
Chamber, and our community. She understands the needs in business, the challenges they face in our
current climate, and she’s passionate about community building,” said Susan Dunkley, chair of the Board
and CEO of Suzi Homemaker. “With her background and vision, I’m looking forward to seeing the
Chamber continue to grow and flourish under her direction.”
With a focus on relationship building, strategic planning and membership services, Whitehead has a
mandate to expand the advocacy and engagement of the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber together
with the local business community, local government and decision makers.
“Being CEO at the Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce has been an amazing experience of
stakeholder engagement, community development and advancing business sector needs. I am proud of
the things we have accomplished and know that Port Hope will continue to thrive. Peterborough’s
business community, and the Peterborough and Kawarthas Chamber have a strong and well-known
reputation. I’m looking forward to taking what I know and working with the staff, Board and membership to facilitate its on-going growth and success,” said Whitehead.
“There is so much opportunity within the Chamber and within Peterborough. I’m excited to get to work and continue to do the work I love to do!”
The Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce extends its sincere thanks to Brenda Whitehead for
her dedication and leadership. Her contributions over the last 7.5 years have left a lasting impact,
including a solid foundation of policies and partnerships, with the organization and the broader business
community.
As she moves on to new opportunities, the Chamber wishes her continued success and looks forward to building on the strong foundation she helped create. The Port Hope & District Chamber will announce its leadership transition plan in the coming weeks.
For more information, please contact admin@porthopechamber.com or call 905-885-5519.