Leiba has resigned from his post and will take on a similar role at the Mississauga Board of Trade effective July 28.

“The opportunity presented itself and of course it wasn’t an easy decision for me to make,” Leiba told The Guardian. “I’ve got a very successful and secure role here at the Brampton Board of Trade, but it is a great opportunity for me to broaden my professional experience and to contribute to advancing a board of trade in a larger community.”  

Leiba joins the Mississauga organization with strong credentials.

Serving the BBOT for more than seven years, the last four years as CEO, Leiba has fashioned the organization into one of the largest and most active boards of trade in the province.

The organization has been recognized with recent provincial chamber awards for launching new and innovative programs, including initiatives aimed at hiring skilled immigrants and advocacy work, namely securing a future for Brampton’s Peel Memorial Hospital.

“Sheldon’s extensive understanding of Region of Peel and local issues impacting business, coupled with his strong government, policy and board of trade background, will keep the Mississauga Board of Trade at the forefront of issues,” said Jake Dheer, MBOT chair. “He was a natural choice for the position.”

Leiba is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Canada (CCEC) and the Chamber Executives of Ontario (CEO) where he currently serves as first vice chair.  

He has also participated on numerous chamber-associated boards and committees in Peel and throughout the Greater Toronto Area.   

Prior to joining the BBOT, Leiba served four years with the City of Brampton as executive assistant to the mayor.

Leiba’s academic background includes a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Queen’s University School of Policy Studies along with a Specialized Honours Degree in Public Policy and Administration and Certificate in Urban Studies from York University.    

“We couldn’t be more excited to attract someone with such tremendous related experience, qualifications and leadership as Sheldon Leiba to take our organization to newer heights,” Dheer continued. “In him, we have found a very successful chamber manager with a unique multifaceted skill set of strong organizational leadership, business and financial management, business services development, public policy and advocacy expertise, membership and stakeholder relations, marketing and communications, as well as a strong reputation for building a high performance culture with staff and volunteers.”  

Organization officials say Leiba will leave the BBOT in tip-top shape.

The board is in a strong financial position and membership numbers have increased in the last few years to more than 1,500 organizations in a range of sectors.

The board has also received notice from the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada that the BBOT is soon to garner “chamber accreditation with distinction”, which is the highest level of accreditation for a board of trade or chamber of commerce in Canada.

“Sheldon Leiba has been instrumental to the growth and success of The Brampton Board of Trade, demonstrating exceptional leadership on issues affecting business and supporting business development in our community,” said Carman McClelland, BBOT president.

 “We are extremely proud that the Brampton Board of Trade is in a very strong position. While Sheldon will be missed, he has built a strong organizational and personnel foundation upon which the Board can build for the future. We also look forward to working with him in his new capacity and wish him the same professional success that he achieved with the Brampton Board of Trade.”

Leiba said it is the people he will most miss about the job.

“One of the most important facets of a successful board of trade really is the people. It’s less about the businesses and more about the people and I think most of all I will miss the wonderful staff that I have worked with here, as well as our board directors and volunteers and of course the many members I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with over the years.”

The BBOT Governing Council has established a selection committee to begin the recruitment process to find a replacement.