After just over two years in the role, Sarah Budd is resigning as president and CEO of Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce effective October 18.
Board chair Noah Crowley said he had accepted Budd’s resignation “with both sadness and gratitude” in an email to chamber members on Thursday (September 26).
“During her two years at the helm of our organization, Sarah led the Chamber team with dedication and enthusiasm,” Crowley wrote. “Sarah helped usher in a new era of lobbying, ensuring the concerns of our members were heard by the Ontario and Canadian Chambers, and by our mayor, MPP and MP.”
The former long-time CEO of Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region, Budd was named chamber president and CEO in August 2022. She took over the reins from Stuart Harrison, who retired that fall after 20 years in the role.
Born and raised in Lakefield, Budd went to high school in Peterborough at Kenner Collegiate before obtaining a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature at the University of Waterloo. She was national sales and marketing manager for a boutique store chain and then ran her own business in Peterborough for four years.
In 2007, Budd became the CEO of Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region and led the non-profit organization that builds and renovates affordable homes for almost 15 years, before leaving in 2021 to join RBC in Lakefield. She was named the Kawartha Chamber of Commerce and Tourism citiizen of the year in October 2021.
Crowley gave no reason for Budd’s resignation.
“On behalf of the board, I extend my sincere thanks to Sarah and I wish her continued success in the next chapter of her career,” he wrote.
“I know the decision to leave the Chamber was a difficult one for her, and we will miss her leadership.”
Crowley also announced that Gail Moorhouse will step in as interim president and CEO.
The former executive director of Community Futures Peterborough, Moorhouse subsequently launched her own consulting business called Recharge Solutions to provide strategic and governance advice and support for small non-profit organizations.
“Gail is an expert in executive leadership, with a depth of experience managing through change,” Crowley wrote, noting that Moorhouse would support chamber staff this fall as they prepare for the chamber’s annual Business Excellence Awards, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s annual general meeting, and other events.
Crowley also invited chamber members to express their thanks to Budd by attending the next Chamber AM networking meeting, taking place at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8th at The Vine at 165 Sherbrooke Street in downtown Peterborough.
