Biography
Melanie McDonald, Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Engagement
Melanie McDonald is an accomplished executive leader with two decades of experience driving organizational growth and stakeholder engagement across the public and private sectors. In her current role as Vice-President, Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships and Engagement at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Melanie leads all of the Chamber’s revenue-generating portfolios — including marketing, events, sponsorships, membership, business development, partnerships, and programs — fueling significant year-over-year growth and strengthening the Chamber’s position as a leading voice for Calgary’s business community.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and a proven track record of solving critical challenges to fuel organizational growth, building high-performing teams, and driving meaningful impact, Melanie brings a dynamic yet people-first approach to leadership. She plays a central role in shaping and executing the Chamber’s strategic and operating plans, ensuring priorities reflect member needs, market trends, and long-term growth opportunities.
A proud Calgarian and University of Calgary alumna, Melanie is passionate about building a strong business community and championing entrepreneurs. She brings a sharp strategic lens and a hands-on leadership style to her work, balancing big-picture thinking with operational excellence — and just enough good humor to keep meetings interesting.
Her commitment to community and entrepreneurship is constant — Melanie is the co-founder of The Mobile Accountant, a professional services firm supporting small businesses through pivotal phases of growth. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Calgary Innovation Coalition and the Bearspaw-Gray Way Community Association, is a member of the Calgary Flames Foundation Poker Committee and sits on the Bow Valley College Chiu School of Business Dean’s Advisory Council.
Outside of her professional life, Melanie is a proud mother of two and lives with her family on four acres in Bearspaw, where she dreams of owning more animals on a small hobby farm. An avid traveler, she loves exploring new places with her family and creating lasting memories along the way. Melanie is also deeply involved in the youth sports community, coaching and mentoring young athletes with the same energy, passion, and commitment she brings to her leadership roles.