Warne steps down as Chamber of Commerce president

CAPTION: Kylie Warne speaks at the Geelong Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting. Photo: GEELONG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/BAREFOOT MEDIA

GEELONG Chamber of Commerce president Kylie Warne has announced she is stepping down from the role.

Ms Warne, who has been president for five years, publically revealed her decision at the chamber’s annual general meeting last week, held at GMHBA Stadium.

“I love the chamber, I love every minute of being your president, and I will say that I’ve loved everything from going to Canberra and talking in your voice to ministers that actually affect your business and your operations,” she said.

I even enjoyed the time when I was screamed at by an ETU union representative; I love it all!”

She said she had been known “for quite some time” that she would step down as chamber president.

“I think back to when I became president in 2013 and I remember the first board meeting that I chaired and honestly, my hands were shaking and I had white knuckles; I was so nervous. I’d never chaired anything in my life before, and to be appointed president of the chamber at the time was a bit of a surprise,” she said.

“I really just talked to the board about how I wanted us to be remembered and what legacy I felt were looking to leave – and that was to act, and to really embody a high-performance team.”

Ms Warne said her time at the chamber initially focused on governance, with the chamber rewriting its constitution and reducing the number of board members from 17 to 10.

The chamber has increased its percentage of female board members from 29 per cent to 50 percent, and overall membership has increased by 35 per cent under Ms Warne’s leadership.

The Geelong Chamber of Commerce board of directors will appoint new office bearers at a meeting next month.