HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STRENGTHENS LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH APPOINTMENT OF TWO VICE-PRESIDENTS

· by Mike Hardill

Drina Omazic joins Hamilton Chamber as VP, Advocacy & Operations and Mike Hardill added as VP, Marketing & Membership Engagement

HAMILTON, ON – Hamilton Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Greg Dunnett announced today the appointment of two Vice-President roles.

As Vice-President of Advocacy & Operations, Drina Omazic will oversee day-to-day business operations at the Chamber, in addition to acting as the Chamber’s lead on government relations, political affairs, and policy.

As Vice-President of Marketing & Membership Engagement, Mike Hardill will lead the Chamber’s efforts in the areas of marketing strategy, membership growth & retention, and events execution.

“Adding Drina and Mike to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce team is a direct reflection of the Chamber’s priorities for 2024 and beyond,” said Dunnett. “These two individuals are passionate Hamiltonians with deep roots in the community and bring a wealth of experience in their respective fields. I’m thrilled to welcome them to the team. Together, we look forward to shaping a prosperous future for Hamilton’s business community and our members.”

ABOUT DRINA OMAZIC
Drina brings extensive experience from senior roles at all three levels of government. As senior advisor to Hamilton’s Mayor for 10 years, she provided counsel on legislative, political and operational matters. Advancing priorities ranging from building strong intergovernmental partnership to helping drive the Mayor’s efforts to oppose U.S. steel tariffs.

In addition to serving as Chief of Staff to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Drina was also the Chief of Staff to the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs & Democratic Renewal. As senior advisor to Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, she is most proud of fulfilling a

core government commitment to introduce a new Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), which established Ontario as a world leader in accessibility. She also contributed to provincial immigration policies and the modernization of election legislation and referendum regulations.

An experienced and skilled community advocate with a solid track record of providing strategic political and policy advice; Drina’s political carrier began in east Hamilton as the Special Assistant/Senior Advisor Community Relations to the Honourable Sheila Copps, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister of the Environment.

In her time away from politics, Drina served as a Member of the United Way 2013 Cabinet, was a Committee Member of the CYO Celebrity Dinner and organizer of the 50th Anniversary CYO Dinner. She currently serves as a Director on the Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes Board.

Drina grew up in the east end of Hamilton, attended Bishop Ryan and graduated in Political Science from Carleton University.

ABOUT MIKE HARDILL
Mike has over 15 years of marketing, communications, and event experience in the private and public sector, including overseeing the City’s largest and most recognized brand, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club, as the team’s Director of Marketing. He joins the Chamber from the City of Niagara Falls’ communications division, where he headed up the municipality’s marketing and advertising efforts.

A Hamilton 40 Under 40 recipient in 2019, Mike has a proven track record of solving complex business objectives by developing and executing comprehensive marketing and membership strategies, and leading high-profile projects such as the Tiger-Cats 150th anniversary celebration, the successful inaugural season membership campaign for Hamilton’s professional soccer club, Forge FC, and the 2021 Grey Cup Game and Festival.

Mike was born and raised in the west end of Hamilton, attending Westdale Secondary School and graduated from Brock University. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.

ABOUT THE HAMILTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Representing over 1,000 businesses and institutions that employ more than 75,000 people in Hamilton, Ontario, the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is the city’s 179-year-old voice of business and thought leader in commerce. In addition to helping provide solutions to the day-to-day challenges of its member businesses, the Hamilton Chamber provides leadership on city building initiatives that are designed to stimulate commerce and increase prosperity in the community.