INNISFAIL – Michelle Andrishak has suddenly resigned as executive director of the Innisfail & District Chamber of Commerce.
The 52-year-old award-winning business consultant from Rocky Mountain House was hired last month with great acclaim from the town and chamber of commerce but her time in Innisfail lasted only two weeks.
She officially began on Nov. 7 but was gone by Nov. 23; the day of the chamber’s annual general meeting (AGM) and business awards.
“My last day was actually last Monday (Nov. 21). I wrapped up things for the AGM and the (business) awards,” said Andrishak. “The municipality and the staff of the municipality and the leadership in the municipality are amazing. I think that they will do amazing things in the future.
“But for personal reasons, which I'm not willing to disclose, it was not a fit for me.”
Andrishak said she has returned to Rocky Mountain House to continue the work she had with her own consulting company.
“I am looking to enjoy the Christmas season with my friends and family, and I wish all the board members and the municipality in the Town of Innisfail the very, very best, and I did enjoy my couple of weeks with them,” said Andrishak.
Coun. Janice Wing, Innisfail town council’s representative to the chamber’s board, announced the news of Andrishak’s resignation at the end of council’s Agenda & Priorities Meeting on Nov. 21.
“We're back to the drawing board there. However, we are very hopeful we’ll have someone in place by January 1,” Wing told council members.
In a later interview, Wing told the Albertan that she was unable to offer any further details of Andrishak’s abrupt resignation.
“I’m being absolutely candid with you in that I can’t give you a reason, other than something happened personally to Michelle in a very short time after she joined us and she just (decided) to leave. It was a very sudden departure,” said Wing. “It wasn't caused by the board. It wasn't caused by the organization. Unfortunately, something happened, and she felt compelled to leave.
“All I can say to you about it is that we have moved forward,” added Wing. “We have immediately restruck the process and we will have news to share very soon about what happens next.”
Wing said the chamber’s board of directors are meeting this week on the issue of a new executive direction for the organization.
“There'll be something coming out right after that,” said Wing.
