Chilliwack – First, Trevor McDonald, the Executive Director for the Chilliwack BIA Business Improvement Association, announced he was running for Chilliwack City Council.
The Municipal Elections are October 17.
The person across the hall from McDonald has also thrown her hat into the ring.
The CEO of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce , Leanna Kemp is in the Running for Council on October 17.
From her campaign release: — Leanna Kemp, a longtime Chilliwack business and community leader, announced today that she is running for Chilliwack City Council in the 2026 municipal election.
“I believe we are better together, and that collaboration is how most problems actually get solved,” Leanna Kemp said. “My job is to listen, learn from what I hear, and turn that into action, including being honest about what growth costs and making sure we grow our tax base the smart way, so it doesn’t land on homeowners. That is the kind of leadership I want to bring to the council table.”
Kemp has called Chilliwack home since 2008, when she moved here after marrying her husband, whose roots are in Chilliwack. Together they have raised their two children, now in their early teens and active in local sports, in the community. Kemp grew up in North Delta, and says what drew her to Chilliwack, and what keeps her here, is the small town feeling, where everyone knows everyone or comes close to it, along with the outdoors, the river, the mountains, the lakes, and unique local spaces like the Rotary Trail.
“This is where my kids are growing up, and I want it to always feel like home for them,” Kemp said. “I want them to want to raise their own kids here one day, to build a career or a business here. That means growing responsibly, in a way that keeps what makes Chilliwack unique, while giving us the amenities other communities wish they had.”
Leanna Kemp built that leadership record over more than two decades. It started with 21 years in high level management with McDonald’s restaurants, leading teams and being held accountable for real results. That was followed by two years working with a small non-profit, and for the past eight years, leading the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce as CEO.
From LinkedIn – I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce with a diverse career history including a 21 year career as an Operations Consultant with McDonald’s Restaurants as well as the Executive Director of Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy.
My diversified leadership skills have been borne out of customer service and relationship building. I have a passion for people and live the motto, “ Great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people” and throughout my career have a proven track record in leadership and mentoring teams to actively engage and be a part of the plan; naturally fosters inspiring, formidable and engaging team spirit.
I am a recognized and respected leader in the community, with strong ties to a number of community and business organizations throughout the Fraser Valley. Most recently founded the Chilliwack Women’s Leadership Collective- a group focused on bringing together a diverse group of individuals who engage, empower and advocate for the elevation of women in business. I have also taken up a passion with respect to creating an Inclusive community and has been working actively to create conversation in my community on “Bridging the Gaps” with Indigenous partners as well as joining a task force to assist the City of Chilliwack in ensuring the City itself is inclusive in all forms.
In my current role as the Executive Director of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, I am actively responsible for executing four key objectives with respect to their 500+ members. Connect, Advocate, Recognize and Educate.
Leanna Kemp will formally lay out her platform at the October 7 candidate debate, with more details to follow in the weeks ahead.
