Linda Machniak, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

ACCREDITED CHAMBER EXECUTIVE

‘Let’s keep the Battlefords growing’: Linda Machiak among first in Canada to receive Diamond-level chamber leadership award

Jul 24, 2025 | 11:29 AM

After 25 years of serving the Battlefords business community, Linda Machniak is getting national recognition for her work and making history while she’s at it.

The longtime chief operating officer of the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce is one of the first in Canada to receive the new Diamond-level Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) designation.

“It’s positive for me to be able to represent the Battlefords when I go provincially or nationally to conventions and to represent the community in our policy debates or in our meetings,” said Machniak.

“I think it’s important that the Battlefords’ voice is at the table.”

The ACE program, created in 2018 by the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada in Nova Scotia, evaluates chamber leaders across the country in areas like professional development, leadership, community involvement and years of service. Machniak said it’s a rigorous process and she’s proud to have met the new high standard.

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“It’s pretty stringent. I mean, there’s a lot of points that you have to get in order to get there. So I appreciate that I was able to meet that threshold.”

Machniak has been with the Battlefords Chamber since 2001 and has previously received gold and silver level Ace designations. She said it’s been a meaningful career filled with proud moments.

“I think there’s lots of things that this Chamber can be proud of,” she said.

That includes helping to create the Immigration Resource Centre, championing Indigenous workforce development, and leading the Chamber’s popular “Shop the Battlefords” campaigns.

Chamber board chair Glenda Rye said the recognition reflects what many in the community already know about Machniak’s leadership.

“Linda is very efficient and thorough in all she does, and all of us in the Battlefords are fortunate to have her as a pivotal member of our local business community and Chamber of Commerce,” Rye said in a statement.

Machniak had one message for the community that’s supported her all these years:

“Just to thank everybody in the community for their support and particularly the members…let’s keep the Battlefords growing.”

Last October, the Battlefords Chamber earned its second national accreditation, joining 73 others across Canada. The designation, granted by the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada in Halifax, recognized excellence in leadership, governance, and operations.

The other recipient of the new Diamond designation was Rory Ring, President and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce in Ontario.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com