Estonian Canadian Business Chamber delves into crisis preparedness
- ellenvalter
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Update #274
ECBC and co-presenter ECCC look at preparedness for when a crisis hits
Co-presented by Estonian Central Council in Canada and Estonian Canadian Business Chamber, members and guests of the two organizations gathered on January 31 to parse crisis preparedness from both strategic and tactical aspects.
Ellen Valter, ECBC President introduced the evening and thanked all for their patience for the delayed start - as though scripted for crisis preparedness, a pipe had burst in the ceiling of the alternate exit for the event space and fire crews had some work to do before giving the all-clear to return to the hall.
The evening's panelists were Heather Bakken and Yaroslav Baran from Ottawa-based PR and communications consultants Pendulum Group, and Vasileios Tsianos, VP of Corporate Development of Neo Performance Materials (TSX: NEO), a global producer of rare-earth magnetics and critical materials, with operations in Estonia and Greenland, among others.
The conversation brought out current examples of direct and lateral events that can severely impact an organization. Ellen moderated the panel and, with the Chatham House Rule agreed to by all in attendance, the discussion flowed freely. The end result was the workup of a toolkit for crisis preparedness to inoculate any organization against a worst case scenario.
When a crisis hits an organization, it's preparedness that determines the outcome. Starting with good governance through to knowing what "crisis" mode will look like, will help any organization navigate any incident. - Heather Bakken (Pendulum Group)
Thanks was given to Northern Birch Credit Union for its support of ECBC's speaker series - the credit union as a co-operative banking institution provides support to community capacity building initiatives and boasts competitive rates for members. The food and drink was plentiful and thanks go to Tartu College for providing event space.
Greetings from EUCCAN and co-presenter ECCC
ECBC recently joined the European Union Canada Chamber of Commerce and appointed Kiira Käärid as its representative on the EUCCAN board of directors. Kiira introduced EUCCAN's activity noting that that joining EUCCAN, with its alliance of 25 chambers in Canada brings to ECBC, strength through strategic collaboration.
Kiira highlighted that ECBC’s membership in EUCCAN expands its reach into a broader European business network, strengthening collective advocacy, intelligence-sharing, and resilience amid geopolitical disruption. It also provides a platform to elevate Estonian business interests and contribute Estonia’s distinct perspective to European-Canadian trade relations.
(left) European Union Canada Chamber of Commerce EUCCAN board member Kiira Käärid; co-presenter Estonian Central Council in Canada board chair Reet Marten Sehr
The event was co-presented with Estonian Central Council in Canada, and its board chair, Reet Marten Sehr wrapped up the evening thanking presenters. She reviewed the revitalized organization's role in navigating the increasingly tricky geopolitical environment and how it too, benefits from a renewed and expanded membership of Estonian organizations across the country, to speak with Ottawa and Tallinn on behalf of Estonians in Canada.
Estonian Canadian Business Chamber has grown out of the KESKUS International Estonian Centre project, and will participate in the opening of the Centre in August 2026.
It looks like the future is bright for local, national and international connections and for business to flow between Canada and Estonia/Europe. If furthering business interests – yours, Canada’s, Estonia’s – speaks to you, join ECBC! To find out more, including how to join this growing organization, go to: https://www.estonianchamber.ca/.
Mark your calendar for currently scheduled upcoming ECBC events:
March 3: ECBC networking event
April 21: ECBC AGM and networking event
May 21: EUCCAN annual conference "Strengthening the future: defence, trade & economic security with EU Partnerships"
Go to estonianchamber.ca to learn more and if furthering business interests speaks to you, add yourself to the ECBC mailing list on the homepage!
All photos by Peeter Põldre and Alejandro Birke Ruiz of www.ruudiproductions.com
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