A staff dedicated to ensuring business is better in Sarnia-Lambton

Our team of experts is ready to help.

Dan Taylor

Chief Executive Officer

Dan is known as a leader and innovator within the economic development community. His high energy, creativity, and innovative approach have helped communities transform towards reaching their highest potential. His Toronto-based private sector, and entrepreneurial, creative marketing background laid the foundation for his unique approach to economic development.

Dan helped lead the reinvention of Prince Edward County with its focus on wine, culture & gastronomy, and the creative rural economy. As President & CEO of Peterborough Economic Development, he rebuilt and restructured the organization, supported tourism initiatives, and led Nuclear, Aviation, and Clean Tech Water cluster development. As a catalyst in Innisfil, he developed the strategy to launch the development of a start-up ecosystem anchored by the DMZ Innisfil Accelerator and was a team member in visioning the future forward city development called The Orbit.

Dan is looking forward to helping take Sarnia-Lambton and its unique combination of energy, sustainability, manufacturing, its multifaceted agricultural industry, and the rest of the economy towards the changes, challenges, and opportunities the 21st century is bringing and demanding.

Dan is extremely excited to be working with such a high-caliber and professional team at the Sarnia Lambton Economic Partnership and looks forward to supporting and leading future transformation opportunities.

Matthew Slotwinski

Senior Economic Development Officer

He/Him

Matthew delivers site selection services and special projects related to Sarnia-Lambton’s core industrial sectors including investment attraction, retention and expansion initiatives.

Matthew has helped the Sarnia-Lambton Hybrid Chemistry Cluster, Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub, and Sarnia-Lambton Energy & Chemistry Cluster gain international recognition, attracting new investment and employment to the Sarnia-Lambton area.

He has previously worked with the Business Enterprise Centre of Sarnia-Lambton, advising entrepreneurs and creating programming for local business owners.

Matthew graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program after completing his Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph specializing in Public Management. He has obtained a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo and Economic Developers Associations of Canada and was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers (2021) by Consultant Connect.

Chantelle Lynne Core

Manager, Small Business Enterprise Centre

She/Her

Chantelle is an experienced and collaborative economic development professional. As a business counsellor, Chantelle engages, supports and encourages entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized businesses by providing consultative services. When she is not meeting with clients, Chantelle spends her time coordinating provincially funded entrepreneurship programs and collaborating on economic development initiatives. She supports rural municipalities by fostering entrepreneurship, supporting existing businesses, and identifying growth opportunities.

Chantelle has managed many economic development projects, including Digital Main Street programming, development of prospectus documents for the 11 municipalities, the “Hands to Table” initiative, and ongoing Downtown Revitalization projects. She was co-chair of the Intelligent Sarnia-Lambton Taskforce that earned Sarnia-Lambton recognition among the Top7 intelligent communities.

With a business administration degree and an advanced diploma in marketing, Chantelle has been fostering entrepreneurship and economic development in Sarnia-Lambton for over a decade.

Chantelle is energized by new ideas and enjoys the creative process with entrepreneurs, business owners, colleagues, and community partners.

Cari Meloche

Economic Development Officer

Cari attracts talent and entrepreneurs to the Sarnia-Lambton community. She connects with business leaders to understand specific hiring needs and offers a variety of tactics to enhance recruitment practices.

Over the last 4 years, Cari has connected with over 4,000 job seekers who would consider relocating to the Sarnia-Lambton area. Cari is well connected to regional community partners and federal immigration programs that provide a skilled talent pool to attract new residents.

She has worked for over 15 years in the field of Human Resources and truly understands the importance of developing a strong workforce. She has been proud to have created and led local programs such as the Sarnia-Lambton Apprenticeship Project and the Bridging Global Talent in Sarnia-Lambton Project, both aimed at attracting and retaining local talent.

Whether you are a Sarnia-Lambton employer looking to discuss recruitment strategies or a job seeker wanting to learn more about local employment opportunities and networks, Cari welcomes you to connect with her.

Shauna Carr

Economic Development Officer

She/Her

Shauna works to attract new investment and support job creation and business expansion in the petrochemical, bio, sustainable, chemistry, and energy sectors currently established in Sarnia-Lambton. Shauna’s role is to help expand Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub, the Hybrid Chemistry Cluster as well as the Petrochemical and Refining Complex to support innovative and groundbreaking processes and investment.

She is proud to be the Economic Partnership’s liaison to the three local First Nation communities located within Lambton County’s border. Shauna is a proud member of the Visions of Harmony committee that links the local Indigenous Communities with education and workforce opportunities locally.

Shauna has 21 years of experience in community and relationship building in the Sarnia-Lambton area and looks forward to bringing those long-standing relationships to welcome and work for new investments and companies to the area. Shauna is working with new and local industries to highlight Sarnia-Lambton as Ontario’s Hydrogen Hub and is a member of the Business/Economic Taskforce. Shauna has an Honours Degree in English and Political Science whose related experience help her support what new business is looking for.

Karen Richards

Economic Development Officer

She/Her

Karen works to attract new manufacturing investment to the area and supports existing businesses in Sarnia-Lambton. Karen works closely with Sarnia Lambton Industrial Alliance (SLIA) to promote the region’s manufacturing capability.  Karen has led projects including the award-winning marketing brochures showcasing the area and highlighting business opportunities.

Karen’s background includes 24 years of experience in the gaming industry in Operations and as a General Manager. She has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) ungraduated degree and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).

Jeanny Leung

Receptionist/Clerk

She/Her

Jeanny is an experienced Receptionist / Clerk with a demonstrated history of working in the economic development industry.

Her skillset includes Website Maintenance, Customer Service, Office Administration, and Event Management.

Jeanny joined the Economic Partnership in 2006 after acquiring a Diploma in Office Administration from Lambton College.

In her role, she is often the first point of contact for clients calling or visiting our office.

Tahreem Fatima

Digital Main Street Service Advisor

Tahreem Fatima is a part of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership’s Digital Main Street Service Squad. She joined SLEP in September 2022. Tahreem is a University of Toronto graduate with a degree in Journalism and media studies. She also has an advanced diploma in communications and digital marketing. Tahreem has worked as a multimedia journalist in Belleville and Toronto. She has also worked as digital marketing and communications specialist with a non-profit organization. Tahreem has always been passionate about helping communities build and grow. She is excited to meet with the business community in Sarnia – Lambton and help them reach their digital marketing and e-commerce goals. She is always thrilled to support local small businesses and educate them on the latest technology industry trends in marketing. As a part of DMS, she will be helping people get started to assess their digital presence and needs, process available industry grants and support local businesses by connecting them to available programs and resources. 

Kaila Bourne

Digital Main Street Service Advisor

Kaila Bourne is a part of Sarnia-Lambton’s Digital Service Squad, working for SLEP and Digital Main Street. She joined SLEP’s team in May 2022 as the program coordinator for the Summer Company Program and has since shifted to working on the Digital Main Street project. Kaila worked for the Lambton County libraries in Petrolia and Oil Springs prior to joining the Digital Service Squad. She enjoys contributing to her community in Petrolia and is excited to start providing resources to Sarnia and surrounding areas. She is experienced in the field of customer service and community outreach and is happy to offer her assistance to the Sarnia-Lambton small business community with application processes for Digital Main Street’s grants and online programs. Kaila is also a current student at Lambton College, studying office administration and online communications.

Joanne Dunn

Economic Development Intern

Joanne supports local business by updating the comprehensive Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership business directory. Business outreach is a key component in her role. Her background is in systems analysis within the petrochemical industry. Along the way she’s found time to volunteer with several organizations and currently teaches part time with the YMCA.

Joanne will be interacting  with a variety of business contacts, providing information around municipal, provincial and federal grants/programs related to economic recovery.

Shivin Suvarnan

Project Assistant

He/Him

Shivin assists the Bridging Global Talent Project by interacting with international graduates to help them connect with employers in Sarnia-Lambton. He joined SLEP in January 2023 in a part time capacity. He is a Lambton College graduate with Post graduate diploma in Advanced Project Management & Strategic Leadership course. He also has a background in mechanical engineering and three years of experience as project coordinator.

He is really passionate about technology and was a freelance blogger discussing up and coming technology. In his free time, he enjoys pencil drawing and watch anime.