Image: Supplied by Alex Mitchell, courtesy of Kristara May Photography / Jessica Levesque has been hired as the Abbotsford Chamber Business Engagement Manager, effective October 25. Levesque is a graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley.
Abbotsford Chamber

Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce hires Jessica Levesque as its business engagement manager

Nov 2, 2022 | 11:21 AM

ABBOTSFORD — A University of the Fraser Valley graduate who was previously president of the Student Union Society there has worked her way up to a managerial position with the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.

The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday (Nov. 2) that it has hired Jessica Levesque as its business engagement manager. Her first day on the job was Tuesday, October 25.

“On behalf of the Chamber, I’m thrilled to welcome Jessica Levesque as a member of our team. Jessica will be an impactful addition to our organization as she has considerable experience in our community and an entrepreneurial skillset that will allow her to amplify the Chamber’s work in engaging and supporting our members,” said Abbotsford Chamber CEO Katerina Anastasiadis. “Jessica brings new energy and ideas, a passion for the work of the Chamber and is eager to build solid relationships with businesses across our community. I know she will work well with our wider staff team to expand the Chamber’s reach.”

Levesque joins the Abbotsford Chamber following her past roles as the president of the Student Union Society at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), and as the Manager of Programs and Services Department at UFV. She also brings an understanding of small business and advocacy, having operated her own small business for a number of years, and recently serving as the campaign manager and marketing and communications chair for a group of political candidates during the 2022 municipal elections in Abbotsford.

Jessica will be responsible for building long term and meaningful relationships with existing and new members, ensuring optimal engagement with local businesses to achieve their goals. This comes as the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce has continued to amplify its reach in the community through supporting flood recovery through the Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, as well as supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs through continuing to invest in the Company of Young Professionals & Entrepreneurs Program (CYPE).

Jessica has experience with small business, having launched her own carpentry company in 2017. It was then that she became a member of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, connected with other businesses, and expanded her company, ultimately operating it full-time for 2 years while continuing complete her education. She was then hired at the UFV Student Union Society (UFVSUS) where she served the UFV community for 4.5 years in a variety of roles beginning as the Events Coordinator, then as President from 2020-2021, and lastly as Manager of the Programs and Services department.

Jessica graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) with a major in Marketing where she also completed an 8-month co-op within the Marketing and Communications department of the Vancouver International Airport. During this time, she completed extensive professional development and training stints with a focus on equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace, which sparked her continued interest in supporting healthy workplaces.

Through these unique experiences, Jessica has solidified her passion for entrepreneurial ventures, and gained valuable experience working within the not-for-profit sector to build relationships across the community. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys the beautiful outdoors of British Columbia, drinking coffee, spending time with her family and pets, and working on her innovative affordable housing project.

More information on the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce can be found at: https://www.abbotsfordchamber.com/