Written by Emma Winram | Intern, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
For Mark Kelly, business advocacy isn’t just about following policy, it’s about asking questions, bringing people to the table, and making sure the voices of local businesses are heard.
As a longtime chamber member and General Manager of Crown Automotive Group, Mark served as Chair of the Advocacy Leadership Council (ALC) during The Chamber’s 2025-2026 season, the council’s inaugural year. For him, the opportunity was a natural fit.
“I’m a policy nerd. I love that stuff,” says Mark. “And to be able to sit down as a group of business leaders in our community and talk about upcoming policy … it was a big honour.”
The ALC brings together members from across Winnipeg’s business community creating a space for perspectives that might otherwise be missed. With many Chamber members representing small and medium-sized businesses, Mark says that business diversity is critical to effective advocacy.
Looking back, Mark is proud that the ALC’s conversations led to tangible outcomes, including the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) submission and recommendations on gaps that a new Small and Medium-size Enterprise (SME) Export Readiness Initiative could address.
“It wasn’t just sitting around for an hour and a half and talking about it,” he says. “It was nice to see that there was something actual that came from it.”
As the ALC enters its next chapter, Mark’s advice to the incoming Chair Neil Sabourin is to “be prepared. Have some questions. Be available to engage in conversation. [And] be able to navigate the conversations.”
Neil is the Director of Grain Procurement and Digital eCommerce at G3 Canada Limited. He’s looking forward to helping bring diverse perspectives to the Chamber’s advocacy efforts.
He sees the ALC as an important source of grassroots insight that can help shape meaningful recommendations and resources for Winnipeg businesses.
Neil brings three decades of experience in agricultural business and global grain exports. He has a firsthand understanding of trade, regulation, and the challenges businesses face in an evolving economic environment.
His experience also includes navigating domestic and international trade issues and working with agricultural associations on major initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada-European trade agreement.
That experience is particularly relevant in today’s business environment.
“With the tariffs, these topics are going to be extremely important,” Neil says. “Manitoba businesses are going to be looking for support to drive productivity and navigate this evolving environment.”
This year, Neil is particularly interested in issues surrounding exports, domestic trade and productivity, as well as opportunities for businesses to leverage artificial intelligence to address emerging challenges.
He also encourages all Chamber members to make full use of the resources available through their membership, such as the CODE Resource Hub and the Manitoba AI Pathways program, and to get involved.
“The Chamber sincerely takes grassroots’ feedback and recommendations seriously,” he says. “Look for an opportunity to join a policy committee or get involved.”
As the ALC begins its second inaugural year, Mark passes the Chair position to Neil to continue the work that helps Winnipeg businesses lead, connect, and grow.
Mark Kelly
General Manager, Crown Nissan
Neil Sabourin
Director – Grain Procurement & Digital eCommerce, G3 Canada Ltd.
Help shape the voice of your Winnipeg Chamber – one of Canada’s eight largest Chambers and Manitoba’s leading business organization for six consecutive years and counting (Manitoba Business Leaders Index, Probe Research (Canada)).
Contact Gwen Black, Policy and Government Relations Manager, at [email protected] to learn how.
