Ludwig brings ambitious agenda to new chamber role
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/06/2025 (301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Brandon Chamber of Commerce saw a change in leadership Thursday afternoon as outgoing president Lois Ruston formally handed over the reins to Jennifer Ludwig during the chamber’s June luncheon at the Clarion Hotel.
Ruston, who stepped into the role six months ahead of schedule and served for an extended 18 months, was praised for her steady leadership during a time of flux for the business community.
Ludwig, the outgoing vice-president, accepted the baton with a mix of humour, humility and a clear agenda.
Outgoing president Lois Ruston (left) hands over the gavel to new president Jennifer Ludwig on Thursday at the Clarion Hotel. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
She told the Sun she is committed to continuity with a bold twist — reshaping Brandon’s image from humble hub to thriving, trade-ready city.
“It’s time we start asking, ‘Why not Brandon?’” Ludwig said. “We’re growing, we’re dynamic, and our chamber needs to help businesses get into the right rooms, locally, provincially and internationally.”
Addressing immediate business concerns, Ludwig promised to make member outreach central to her response to pressing issues such as escalating tariffs and the looming postal strike. She explained the chamber would engage directly with business owners to understand how these disruptions affect their day-to-day operations and ensure that feedback is delivered to decision-makers.
“I’m not an expert in every business,” she said. “But I do know that we need to be listening, learning and advocating, constantly. Nimbleness is key.”
Ludwig’s speech at the event painted a picture of a city ready for opportunity. From Brandon’s strategic position in upcoming interprovincial trade to the potential reactivation of the Port of Churchill and a proposed eastbound flight to Toronto, she sees momentum, and said she’s ready to harness it.
“We’ve got the infrastructure, we’ve got the talent and we’ve got the ambition,” she told the members at the event. “Now is the time to act.”
The luncheon audience, made up of business leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders, responded with enthusiastic applause as Ludwig ended her remarks with gratitude to her mentors, colleagues and family, including her husband, Jordan, a former chamber president himself.
Ruston, meanwhile, will now focus fully on her role with the YWCA Westman and the development of a women’s campus in the region, a project she described as deeply personal and transformative.
As the gavel passed from Ruston to Ludwig, the mood was one of optimism and continuity, with both leaders reinforcing the chamber’s reputation as a grassroots, resilient and forward-looking organization.
As Ludwig summed it up: “The sky is literally the limit.”
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
» X: @AbiolaOdutola