Changes happening at Oshawa Chamber of Commerce

There is a changing of the guard at the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, with Isabelle Foley named Interim Executive Director as the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement for outgoing CEO Jason King.

Krista Lisci, the director of Oshawa Tourism, moves up to Executive Director of Oshawa Tourism.

To ensure a seamless transition, King will remain actively involved, providing guidance and support throughout this period, a collaboration that will help maintain stability and momentum as we embark on this new chapter, the chamber said in a statement.

“We are excited about the future under their leadership and look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our community.”

Isabelle Foley

King called his four years at the helm of the organization “immensely rewarding” and was excited about Foley and Licsi taking over the leadership at the chamber.

“Both of these people have shown exceptional dedication to our community and gone above and beyond what could ever be expected in a ‘normal’ role to earn their way into these positions and I can’t wait to see the impact they bring to our community during their respective tenures.”

“As I’m wrapping up my final few weeks,” he said in a post on his socials, “it has been immensely rewarding to connect with so many folks who have reached out to discuss all the fun and impactful work we’ve all had the privilege of delivering together these past few years.”

It has been a very successful four years, with the chamber winning a boatload of awards for its initiatives – five Oshawa events were named as a top 100 festival event in Ontario last year, including the successful Convergence Music and Art Festival – and also earning a Culture Award from the Ontario Economic Developers Association.

Convergence, which launched in 2023, generated $1.16 in economic impact and attracted nearly 24,000 visitors in a single day last September.

This year’s Convergence festival will be Sept. 20.

King, who started Alcatraz Skate & Snow in 1996 and eventually moved on to marketing jobs – including nearly eight years with 360 Insights – hasn’t publicly revealed his future plans but said he is a long way from retirement.

“There are still so many fun and interesting things to do!”

The Convergence team, including Krista Licsi (front, second from left) and Jason King (front, second from right)