The Humboldt & District Chamber of Commerce will soon be searching for a new executive director after DonnaLyn Thorsteinson announced her resignation, effective Jan. 24.
Thorsteinson is leaving to serve as the program manager of entrepreneur and small business services with the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA). Thorsteinson had served as the Humboldt chamber's executive director since January 2009 and has lived in Humboldt for the better part of a decade.
"It was a big decision for me and my family," Thorsteinson said. "This is the community we've called home for the past eight-and-a-half years, so it wasn't a decision to be taken lightly. At the end of the day, though, it's an advancement in my career and a great opportunity."
"We are sorry to lose DonnaLyn's skill and integrity," chamber president Jodi Smith said in a release. "We wish her every success in her new endeavors."
The chamber is actively searching for a new executive director and is currently accepting nominations for the position. There will be an interim executive director in place until then to ensure continuity.
Thorsteinson's new position with SREDA will give her an opportunity to work with small business owners and new entrepreneurs looking for guidance and support. It's an entirely new position and Thorsteinson said she's excited to be able to shape the job in her own image.
"It's my passion," she said. "Working with small businesses and people just getting started is exciting.
"I'll be helping people with the basics - business plans, financing, even things like getting licenses to start a business in the first place."
Looking back on her five years as executive director, Thorsteinson pointed to an increased credibility for the chamber as the proudest achievement for her and the board of directors.
"Taking the chamber from just a non-profit group to a more respected organization was great," she said. "It became more professional and evolved into a very solid advocacy group for businesses in this area."
There are projects she helped start that will come to fruition after she's gone - a new office and regional plan, for example - but Thorsteinson leaves a chamber that will be tasked with ever more challenges as Humboldt continues to grow and evolve.
On a personal note, Thorsteinson spoke freely about all she's learned since taking on the job.
"I've just learned so much over the past five years," she said. "Learning to work with a board of directors was a big challenge for me at first."
She paused, searching for the right way to say what came next.
"I also learned respect and how to work with other organizations to achieve goals. We've done very well on that front."
Making any sort of major career change is always a big moment, but Thorsteinson will have several advantages that should make the transition a bit easier for her. During her time in Humboldt she got to know many people in the business community in Saskatoon and hopes those relationships will help her hit the ground running in her new job.
Even with all the new responsibilities and commitments that come with a new job and a new home, Thorsteinson said she'll be keeping a close eye on developments in Humboldt over the next few years, developments that in many cases will have been initiated while she was here. Whether it's new office space or a new regional plan for the area's business community, Thorsteinson can justifiably take some pride in where Humboldt is headed in the near future, even if she won't be around.
"I'm proud to say we have great processes in place for the future," she said.
