Julie Lawlor has been named the new executive director of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce.
A former West Shore resident – she grew up in Colwood and Langford and attended Belmont Secondary before moving on to the University of Victoria and University of Toronto – Lawlor is returning to the area after 14 years in the United Kingdom working in the heritage field.
For the last 11 years, Lawlor worked for the National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity, supported by 3.7 million members across the U.K. As general manager of Clandon Park and Hatchlands Park, Lawlor was responsible for all the commercial and charitable activities related to two 18th century historic houses, a nine-acre garden, over 400 acres of parkland and a little Maori meeting house called Hinemihi.
According to the Chamber, the hiring was done by committee, with four Chamber board members conducting an exhaustive process to identify the ideal candidate.
“Coming back to the West Shore is a return to my roots,” Lawlor said in the announcement release, “and I’m absolutely delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to the vibrancy that is the West Shore.”
Chamber President Doug Kobayashi said the Chamber has made “excellent strides over the last year, and the team will be even stronger now,” thanks to Lawlor’s hiring.
“The West Shore Chamber is lucky to be situated in one of the more vibrant regions in the entire country and Julie will be a great resource for the thriving business community.”