Mar 26, 2024

The Board of Directors of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lesley Lavender to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2024. 

Ms. Lavender has been the CEO of the Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce for the past 5 years, which represents, protects, and supports its members by building a sustainable and inclusive community through advocacy, education, relevant programs, and networking.

“Hiring someone with Lesley’s experienced leadership is a clear example of FOCA’s determination to generate momentum and positive impact for our member associations,” said Ian Crawford, Past President of FOCA, and Chair of the CEO Hiring Committee. “We held an extensive search that yielded candidates from across Canada. We were very impressed with the high quality of the people we met, but Lesley stood out for her experience, and proven ability to create and expand relationships with members, media, and partners.”

As CEO of the Prince Edward County (PEC) Chamber of Commerce since 2019, Ms. Lavender represented a small community with a vast geographical spread that mirrored the unique composition of waterfront communities throughout Ontario. She is intimately acquainted with the distinctive challenges and expectations faced by the community in PEC, accommodating both visitors and seasonal residents alongside long-term inhabitants. “This understanding fuels my passion to delve deeper into similar dynamics across our province, with an unwavering commitment to expanding my knowledge and sharing my skill set. My aim is to foster a collective appreciation for water and the environment, catalyzing a shared commitment to their preservation,” said Lavender. 

The Board thanks outgoing CEO Terry Rees for his leadership over the past 20 years with FOCA. Terry was responsible for significant growth in membership and building the profile of the organization over his tenure. 

Lesley will begin her tenure as FOCA’s CEO on April 1, 2024.