Diane Mineault is a born salesperson. She loves to engage people, and her record proves she excels at both.
Mineault is the new executive director of the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce. She is replacing past executive director Wendy Morrison who left the organization last July.
Her first day on the job was Oct. 1 and it is a good bet she has already started with her natural boundless enthusiasm to sell the town as a great place to do business.
“I believe in networking. What I want to do is start going door to door to businesses and introducing myself so they know there is a body there that is willing to work with them,” said Mineault, who comes to town after working a lengthy and productive career in marketing, publishing and tourism. Already, she sees Innisfail as a great place to do business with much to offer entrepreneurs who are thinking of establishing themselves in the community.
“It won't be hard. Innisfail is quaint and it has the western flavour. Jack Daines and his family are known all over the place with their rodeo ranch and now with Doug Bos' wildlife park, it sure helps,” said Mineault. “And people just like it. I think it is going to be fun. There are so many great festivals, rodeos and attractions in Innisfail.”
Her most recent career challenge was in Camrose. She served as manager of Kopar Administration, an employment service where she planned and facilitated 12-week pre-employment program and exposure courses for citizens between the ages of 50 and 65.
Mineault's arrival in Innisfail marks the third time in her career she has been called upon to lead a local chamber. Her other chamber leadership posts have been in the B.C. communities of Comox Valley – where she was born and raised -- and Dawson Creek. She has also served as a chamber board member numerous times in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan.
While this certainly qualifies her on chamber of commerce experience, she is especially qualified on how to work with businesses in small communities.
“The biggest challenge will be to tie the business community with the chamber activities so we work as one. I hope to work on that,” said Mineault.
Mostly though, she wants to be connected. When Mineault is not going door to door to businesses, chances are excellent you will find her either at a service club meeting or at the Royal Canadian Legion.
She has been a Rotarian for more than 20 years serving on many committees, and she was also a member of Kiwanis in Camrose. Mineault has been a legion member for more than 20 years.
“I love the feel of small towns,” said Mineault. “Being in the newspaper business I have been in Vermillion, Vegreville and Stony Plain and all those areas. This is an extension of that.”
