CYC Staff

Chris Emanuel is the perfect guy to lead the CYC (seriously, he could run a masterclass in community building). His friendly, open demeanour draws people in, but it’s his sharp, strategic thinking that keeps them there. It’s all about connecting the dots in the most dynamic way possible. And that’s not just good for business—it’s great for the spirit of Central York.

Over the course of his career, Chris has held many leadership roles, including three terms as a Councillor in Newmarket (he was the town’s youngest councillor ever!). He also served as Chair of the Central York Fire Services and sat on the Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In the private sector, he was Director of Operations at Treefrog Inc. and prior to that, Director of Government Affairs at Bill Gosling.

905-898-5900 ext.223
chris@centralyorkchamber.com

Leslee Mason, Vice President of Strategy & Communications loves seeing her work steal the spotlight.

Leslee is the driving force behind all things branding, marketing, and communications. She is responsible for many of our big initiatives like W.I.L.D. and our award-winning Shop Local campaign.

With a mind that is perpetually in a brainstorming session, Leslee loves to push the envelope on what a chamber does and how we can do it better.

905-898-5900 ext.253
leslee@centralyorkchamber.com

Meet Jennifer Buchanan, a diehard “community connector” who thrives on building relationships and witnessing businesses flourish as the Chamber’s Manager of Member Services and Engagement. Raised in Newmarket, Jennifer says she counts her lucky stars to live and work in such a vibrant part of York Region.

Her favorite pastime? Making new connections and friends wherever she goes. When she’s not busy fostering camaraderie and growth, she’s rocking the roles of a devoted mom of two and proud Granny of one, adding a sprinkle of family charm to her already bustling life.

905-898-5900 ext.221
jennifer@centralyorkchamber.com

Tina Robert is the CYC’s Senior Director of Member Engagement. A seasoned marketing pro, Tina boasts over two decades of expertise in marketing, strategy, and customer experience and has a passion for crafting impactful strategies that elevate the member experience.

When she’s not influencing CYC strategies, you can find Tina creating unforgettable memories and exploring new horizons with her young family. This book lover is also a huge fan of entertaining and loves a good night in with friends.

905-898-5900 ext.232
tina@centralyorkchamber.com

Event manager Rosanne Antunes is the Chamber’s official party whisperer, and she makes it all look so easy.

From creating premier events like our Business Excellence Awards gala to the domestic dazzle of the Newmarket Home & Lifestyle Show, Rosanne excels at creating special experiences that make those involved feel like they are part of something special.

What’s her secret sauce?
Patience! Rosanne executes on her event visions with total focus, diving in and creating shindigs where the only thing that drops is the mic!

905-898-5900 ext.226
rosanne@centralyorkchamber.com

With double diplomas in Event Management and Sound Production, as well as Recreation & Leisure, Tyler Nakeff has been part of the Chamber since 2016, partnering with Rosanne to orchestrate big gigs like the Home Show and Business Excellence Awards. Along with events, Tyler Nakeff handles multiple operations aspects… he’s basically the Swiss Army Knife of the CYC!

When he’s not busy crafting unforgettable events and keeping the Chamber on track, there’s a good chance you’ll find Tyler scaling walls at his favourite rock-climbing gym or walking his pooch Delta (the sweetest boy ever!).

905-898-5900 ext.228
tyler@centralyorkchamber.com

The Manager of Smart Commute Central York (SCCY), Andrea Stephenson has been working to improve the lives of commuters since 2014. From spearheading the SC Workplace program to pioneering Active School Travel initiatives in Newmarket, Andrea has left her mark on countless events, outreaches, and surveys. A true data aficionado, she harnesses the power of numbers like a boss.

But it’s not all about crunching numbers for Andrea; she’s also a die-hard baseball fan, cheering on both the pros and her kids with equal enthusiasm.

905-898-5900 ext.225
andrea@smartcommutecentralyork.ca

Say hi to Tanya Kumar, our Marketing and Comms Coordinator who’s been rocking the Smart Commute and Chamber scene for two adventure-packed years! Tanya’s role has taken her from collaborating with schools for the SCCY Active School Travel program to uncovering hidden local gems for our Explore Newmarket initiative.

But diving deep into the magic of the Central York community isn’t just Tanya’s job, it’s her passion. And when she’s not busy uncovering the latest shopping hotspots or indulging in culinary delights, you’ll catch her hitting the trails – she’s practically hiked every inch of York Region’s scenic wonders!

905-898-5900 ext.231
tanya@smartcommutecentralyork.ca

The chamber’s Office Manager, Lori Clayton is also our unflappable financial fairy. One part book-keeper, one part admin wizard (and all parts awesome), Lori is our go-to problem-solver extraordinaire.

This ledger-juggling, calculator-clicking star is beginning to dream of swapping spreadsheets for hammocks, memos for novels, and the eternal quest for a balanced budget for the well-deserved bliss of retirement. (We don’t like the sound of that either!)

Power skill: If you’ve ever spent any time at the chamber, you’ve probably heard us wax poetic about her Magical Hover Power. When technology fails us, Lori’s over our shoulder attention is usually all it takes for technology to fall in line and cooperate.

905-898-5900 ext.230
lori@centralyorkchamber.com