The BCCEC is delighted to welcome the newly elected presidents of two of our Family Island chambers. Ms. Chantelle Sands has taken the helm as President of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce, while Mr. Ehren Hanna steps into the role as President of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce. Both leaders bring unique expertise, a passion for community development, and a shared commitment to advancing the interests of their local business communities.
Chantal Sands: Championing Abaco’s Resilience and Growth
Ms. Chantelle Sands joined the Abaco Chamber of Commerce in 2023 as Secretary and has since been a driving force behind initiatives that address critical business challenges. Her leadership has been evident in the organization of town hall meetings and workshops aimed at empowering Abaco’s business community.
Reflecting on her new role, Ms. Sands shared: "I am honored to be a part of this dynamic and diverse group of individuals dedicated to working together for the betterment of our island. Having collaborated for years with numerous business leaders across Abaco mainland and the surrounding cays, I plan to realign our initiatives with The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, local government, and key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Our goal is to foster partnerships that address the critical needs of our business community."
She expressed gratitude to the outgoing president, Daphne DeGregory-Mailous, and Vice President Ruth Saunders for their mentorship, noting their pivotal roles in her journey. Under Ms. Sands' leadership, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce is poised to continue championing local businesses as the island advances in its journey of recovery and growth.
For more information, please contact the Abaco Chamber of Commerce at (699-3261 or 806-1009) or visit www.abacochamber.org.
Ehren Hanna: Driving Innovation and Opportunity in Exuma
The Exuma Chamber of Commerce is equally proud to welcome its newly elected president, Mr. Ehren Hanna, who will serve for the 2025–2027 term. As the current Exuma Branch Manager for RBC and an accomplished leader in finance and community development, Mr. Hanna brings a wealth of experience to the role.
A distinguished alumnus of St. John’s College and a graduate of finance studies at the College of The Bahamas, Mr. Hanna began his career with CIBC First Caribbean International Bank before joining RBC. His tenure at RBC has been marked by a steady rise through the ranks, culminating in his appointment as Branch Manager of the Exuma Branch in 2022.
In addition to his banking career, Mr. Hanna has been a dedicated director of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce since 2022. His entrepreneurial spirit shines through his role as Chief Operating Officer of StreetSmart and Vice Chairman of CAD Tech Solutions Ltd., where he has helped develop the innovative StreetSmart tourist app. As a certified financial services coach and international risk manager, Mr. Hanna’s expertise uniquely positions him to lead Exuma’s business community into an era of growth and innovation.
In his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude for the honour, acknowledging the guidance of his predecessor, Pedro Rolle, and invited him to continue serving as a board director. Ehren emphasized his commitment to collaborating with the new officers and directors, describing the team as a "high-performing collection of exceptional professionals" dedicated to strengthening the Exuma business community.
He outlined his immediate goals as:
Increasing membership of the Chamber.
Creating a strategic framework to enhance Chamber activities.
Producing communications on business activity impacting Exuma.
Boosting the Chamber’s visibility and presence in the community.
Pedro Rolle, the immediate past president, commented, “I am thrilled to welcome Ehren as our new president. He brings youth, energy, expertise, and innovation to our body—qualities perfectly suited to guide us as we continue to grow and expand our reach. “The Exuma Chamber of Commerce looks forward to an exciting new chapter under Ehren leadership, driving growth, collaboration, and innovation for the local business community.
For more information, please contact the Exuma Chamber of Commerce at 242-467-640, email info@exumachamberofcommerce.org or visit www.exumachamberofcommerce.org
Let us extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to Chantal Sands and Ehren Hanna as they embark on their terms as presidents of their respective chambers. Together, they will play an integral role in strengthening the business ecosystems of Abaco and Exuma!
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