Kayla Petersen, Kelli Hawtin, Glenda Rye and Ashlee Babiy at the 119th Annual Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce Chairs Luncheon (File Photo/BattlefordsNOW Staff).

By Austin Mattes

Women Representation

Annual Chamber luncheon celebrates community pride and women

Mar 8, 2025 | 3:50 PM

From business owners to municipal politicians and even the local junior hockey team, many community representatives were in attendance last week for the swearing-in of 2025 Chair, Glenda Rye at the 119th Annual Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce Chairs Luncheon.

However, even though community pride was a highlight of the event, there was a strong presence of women in leadership that took the spotlight.

The afternoon started off with a presentation from Saskatchewan Roughriders CEO and President, Craig Reynolds, focusing on “instilling Pride in Rider Nation.” Reynolds emphasized the importance of local business in the Battlefords and the parallels it has with the Riders organization.

“What we do in terms of trying to inspire pride in our business is something that a lot of business owners can relate to in the Battlefords. I think they take immense pride in running their own businesses and that sense of ownership, that sense of pride helps them grow and build their business and I think that’s really that’s really important,” said Reynolds.

Rye added that one thing she related to the Battlefords during the presentation was the importance of mental health.

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“In1989 when the Riders won the Cup, [Reynolds] talked about mental acumen and mental health aspect that went into it. That was an unheard-of thing back then, but they used that strategy to win and now that’s something that I’m very proud of in the Battlefords area, there’s a lot of companies that have taken it and used that for their own businesses to be successful.”

Following the presentation is when the spotlight shined and history was made, as the first women Mayor of North Battleford, Kelli Hawtin, swore in Rye and all women Co-chairs, Ashlee Babiy and Kayla Petersen, making for the first time in 119 years that it was all women involved in the process.

Kelli Hawtin swearing in Glenda Rye, Kayla Petersen and Ashlee Babiy (File Photo/BattlefordsNOW Staff).

Rye said that being able to represent women and be an influence in such a position is an honour.

“I am very proud that there are so many women in power here and [who] represent our community and are working together to help us create positive growth. We want to be good examples and hopefully inspire the younger generation.”

To end off the afternoon, Rye gave her closing statements about the future of the growth of business in the Battlefords and what it means to the community.

‘I want us to grow and I know talking to other business people in the community, growth means success and prosperity for all of us, whether it’s families, children, elders and vulnerable sectors. We need growth in order to fund all of the activities and things that make our community healthy,” Rye said.

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Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes