JO SHEPPARD

JO SHEPPARD has reinvigorated the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce since taking over as CEO in March last year.

Coming into the top role after what appeared to be a turbulent time for the organisation, right as Toowoomba needed its advocacy the most, Ms Sheppard has righted the ship amid a rising tide of development and prosperity in the region.

By taking the almost-120 year old chamber back to its fundamentals focusing on small business, she has boosted its membership numbers, strengthened networks and partnerships, and advocated for the city at a local, state and federal level.

Ms Sheppard has managed the commendable feat drawing on her extensive experience in business and civic service, and her ties to the Toowoomba region gave her a well-respected platform to instigate change and activism.

A one-term Paroo Shire mayor after eight years as a councillor, Ms Sheppard commands respect in a room filled with industry heavyweights and politicians, to mum and dad business operators – the bread and butter of the small enterprise sector.

It is respect earned through the various roles she held since leaving the council in 2012, including an advisory board member for the Australian Agricultural College Corporation, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise board member and general manager of Food Leaders Australia, and a stint as Toowoomba Clubhouse acting CEO.

In her latest role, she has supported calls for national tax reform, reduction in energy prices, promoted the value of healthy workplaces and called for transparency on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing toll price.