Staff - People Behind the Mission

Rhonda Tulk-Lane, President & Chief Executive Officer

709-351-0291  

rhonda@atlanticchamber.ca

Rhonda Tulk-Lane is a business and community leader with nearly two decades of experience in advocacy, economic development, governance and building strong member-based organizations.

As President & CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, Rhonda works to strengthen the business environment across Atlantic Canada by connecting the chamber network, championing the priorities of businesses and communities, and bringing practical solutions to government and decision-makers.

Rhonda also serves as Chair of the Chambers of the Federation, bringing together provincial and territorial chamber leaders from across Canada to advance a shared business agenda focused on competitiveness, internal trade, infrastructure, regulatory reform and economic growth.

Her career has spanned the business, non-profit, cultural and public sectors, including leadership roles with MusicNL, the St. John's Board of Trade, Lane Strategies and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

A strong advocate for good governance and leadership development, Rhonda holds the ICD.D designation and serves on the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter Executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors. She has also served in a range of board, mentorship and community leadership roles.

Rhonda has been recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of Atlantic Canada's 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and as a Top 50 CEO.

At the heart of Rhonda's leadership is a simple belief: strong economies are built by strong businesses, strong communities and people willing to work together to get things done.

Talk to Rhonda about membership, strategy, good governance, vision, pain points, and investment.

Tracy Beaver, Director of Operations

902-698-0265

tracy@atlanticchamber.ca

Tracy Beaver has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years, serving as the Director of Operations. Known as the "operational glue" of the organization, Tracy ensures the seamless day-to-day functioning of all internal processes, keeping the Chamber running smoothly and efficiently. Her leadership has been instrumental in supporting strategic initiatives, overseeing financial administration, managing human resources, and implementing systems that support member services and organizational growth.

In her role, Tracy coordinates cross-functional teams, streamlines workflows, and ensures compliance with operational policies and procedures. She plays a critical role in event logistics, vendor relations, budget planning, and the execution of special projects, all while supporting the CEO and board with precision and professionalism.

Beyond her work at the Chamber, Tracy serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Chamber Executives of Canada (CCEC), where she lends her expertise and operational insight to advance the national network of chamber professionals.

Her dedication, deep institutional knowledge, and problem-solving mindset make her an invaluable leader within the Atlantic Chamber network and a trusted partner to business communities across the region.

Talk to Tracy about Chamber member benefits, invoices, accreditation, bylaws, network connections.

Brandon Ellis, VP of Policy

902-561-2118

brandon@atlanticchamber.ca

With more than 7 years of multi-chamber and public sector experience, Brandon drives strategic policy initiatives for the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and its 90 member Chambers across Atlantic Canada. Brandon is a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland’s M.A in Political Science program and has also completed a B.A (Hons) from Cape Breton University.

Talk to Brandon about policy, government relations, and chamber spaces.

Patti Colson, Manager of Communications and PR

902-694-2210

patti@atlanticchamber.ca

Patti joined the Chamber network 14 years ago as the ED of the Amherst & Area Chamber of Commerce and then moved to the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce as the Communications and PR Manager. During her time with both organizations, Patti worked hard to develop strong connections with Chambers throughout the Atlantic region and nationally.

Before joining the Chamber network, Patti worked as a Special Education Teacher in various locations throughout the Maritimes. Giving back to her community, Patti served several years as the Coordinator of the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival and on the board of the Chignecto Housing Co-op. She has volunteered her time with many community organizations and events. 

Patti has two grown sons, Matt, who owns his business, and Jeremy, who works in health care. She has two grandsons who are her light, and she shares her home with two very spoiled golden doodles.

Talk to Patti about communications, social media, client relationships, and marketing. 

Carol Barlett, Project Manager, Market Entry Development Program

exportready@atlanticchamber.ca

Carol is a highly accomplished executive with over 20 years of experience in driving revenue growth and providing strategic guidance. As the Sales Strategist, and Revenue Growth Expert for Sales Teams at Fortune 1000 Companies in the oil and gas, mining, and renewables industries, Carol specializes in sales strategy, process optimization, and training. In her previous role as VP of Sales and Marketing for one of the largest privately-held companies in Eastern Canada, she managed an annual revenue of over $200 million.

Carol is the founder of The Leap Method Program, an innovative sales training company that empowers engineering managers and businesses with a repeatable sales process to ensure a consistent pipeline of revenue. This targeted training and personalized one-on-one coaching program helps teams achieve 25% revenue growth by leveraging proven sales techniques, maps, and visuals designed for analytical and strategic thinkers.

Carol is delighted to be partnered with the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce to facilitate the Market Entry Development Program, she believes this is a fast and efficient route to export for Atlantic Canadian companies at a highly discounted rate. If you are export ready - be sure to reach out to her!

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Carol is a sought-after mentor and advisor, providing invaluable guidance to emerging leaders. She has spearheaded elite programs, including the highly acclaimed 150 Years Mentorship for engineering students, equipping them with the skills necessary to excel in their careers.