Toowoomba Young Chamber
INDIVIDUAL Toowoomba Young Chamber MEMBERSHIP
Included in Chamber Memberships, all current members automatically gain access to Toowoomba Young Chamber for their young team members.
Individual Membership is available for those between the age of 18-35 involved in business or industry in the Toowoomba Region, not employed by a Chamber Member business. Register today by following the prompts below. Should you be unsure if your business is a chamber member, please contact the Chamber office [email protected].
Four Key Principles provide the framework for the Toowoomba Young Chamber
- Encourage leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of our local young professionals and business owners;
- Provide mentorship opportunities connecting Toowoomba Young Chamber with local business leaders;
- Boost engagement and networking opportunities; and
- Provide access to leading local and national speakers to connect with, learn from, and be inspired by!
Toowoomba Young Chamber Advisory Group
Christine James
Having navigated through 13 different schools, Christine has always embraced change, a quality that has defined her dynamic career journey. With nearly a decade in the automotive industry, specialising in asset finance, she transitioned seamlessly into the world of residential mortgages. Following this, Christine co-owned a recruitment company, gaining valuable insights into the realm of talent acquisition.
Currently, she proudly wears multiple hats, contributing to the success of both the Toowoomba Chamber and Erlandson Finance Group. In addition to her professional engagements in those two roles, she fuels her entrepreneurial spirit with a side hustle – co-owning a print-on-demand business, Zesty Collective, alongside her sister. Outside the professional realm, she is a devoted cat enthusiast, proudly wearing the badge of a ‘cat lady’ with four feline companions. Balancing it all, she shares her life’s journey with a supportive husband and another furry friend, a dog. Passionate about making a positive impact in various facets of her life, she thrives on the diversity of her experiences and the opportunities they bring.
Ashley Walker
His approach is pragmatic and solutions‑first: he designs automation to remove repetitive work, frames clear trade‑offs to simplify decisions and produces concise, evidence‑based roadmaps that teams can execute. Recent projects include security upgrades for defence contractors, privacy programs for insurance brokers, and efficiency gains for healthcare providers.
He mentors emerging tech leaders and volunteers locally to connect business with technical capability. He focuses on clear plans, disciplined execution and outcomes stakeholders understand and trust. Outside work he enjoys photography, gardening, and cooking. Known online in most places as SkywalkerIsNull.
Makeelie Dowton
After moving to Toowoomba in 2023, Mak quickly became involved in the community. She co-founded The Social Toowoomba, a women’s networking group that grew to more than 1,000 members in under a year, creating a space for connection and friendship. She also volunteers with Rosies – Friends on the Street and supports/plays baseball for the Toowoomba Rangers Baseball Club.
Mak is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to feel seen, heard, and empowered. Through her work with the Young Chamber, she’s excited to help shape a more connected and supportive Toowoomba for the next generation of leaders.”
Networking Events
Explore the Toowoomba Young Chamber Networking Events, where ambition meets connection. Immerse yourself in a unique blend of social interaction and valuable insights as we bring together a vibrant community of professionals, all aged 35 and under, eager to shape the future.
Our events feature dynamic networking opportunities, engaging panel discussions, and distinguished guest speakers, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and personal growth. While tailored for the aspirations of the younger generation, we embrace diversity, with some events open to all ages. Join us in fostering meaningful connections and unlocking the potential of tomorrow’s leaders.
Emerging Leaders Mentor Program
Each year the chamber partners with members to deliver the emerging leaders mentor program. Designed for aspiring professionals to who want to grow personally and professionally, ELMP combined high impact mentoring with local business leaders, alongside professional development workshops. Make sure you are subscribed to our mailing list to find out when the next program commences.
Mentoring Benefits
For Mentees
- Insight into the pros and cons of various career options and paths
- Increased self-awareness and self-discipline
- An expanded personal network
- A sounding board for testing ideas and plans
- Positive and constructive feedback on professional and personal development areas
- Accelerated training and development
For Mentors
- Proven method to share ideas, try new skills and take risks
- Enhanced capacity to translate values and strategies into productive actions
- Increased awareness of personal biases, assumptions and areas for improvement
- Renewed enthusiasm for role as experts
- Personal fulfillment by investing in others
Emerging Leaders Mentor Program Testimonial
“Participating in the Toowoomba Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Program has been a very valuable professional development experience.
The program challenged my thinking, sharpened my leadership capability and connected me with a network of motivated and talented individuals across our region.
The sessions were practical, well-structured and applicable to real business environments. I took away clearer strategic direction and a better understanding of how to lead teams through growth and change. What stood out most was the quality of the facilitators and the genuine commitment of the Chamber team. They created an environment where meaningful conversations could happen and where emerging leaders could build real momentum in their careers.
I’d highly recommend the program to anyone wanting to accelerate their leadership development and build long-term connections within the Toowoomba business community.”
-Zac McNally, Robot Solutions