“Collaboration has to occur. The result of working together and sharing resources is wonderful. I believe that collaboration is the formula for success in any work.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT YOUR NEW POSITION?
I get really excited about being able to access the network I have developed over the years from growing up in St. Louis, to being active in St. Louis politics, to my classmates in Focus St. Louis’ Leadership St. Louis program. I love being successful in providing those connections.
That is the core of my job—and I LOVE IT!
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST 90 DAYS.
I met with board members, active members, civic leaders, business people, and elected officials. I wanted to know what was working and what wasn’t, and what folks thought we ought to be doing.
I’ve had so many people offer to be more involved in the Chamber. They are stepping forward because they want to strengthen our business community.
WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER FROM THOSE MEETINGS?
There is a need for more networking opportunities, personal and professional development educational opportunities, and ways to give back to the community.
There is no shortage of people wanting to work to better the Chamber and, by extension, the community. They are very willing to come together and collaborate.
HOW IMPORTANT IS COLLABORATION?
For the past three years, the Kirkwood–Des Peres Area Chamber has collaborated with two other Chambers for our October Economic Outlook event. I felt that collaborating with only a few other Chambers didn’t provide this community the prominence deserved for this type of event.
This year we collaborated with seven other Chambers—so, eight in total—allowing us to raise the profile of our Chamber by showcasing the economic might of this West County Central Corridor to the members, officials, and guests present.
On Oct. 24, a sold-out room of 250 business leaders attended the 2019 Economic Outlook event.
County Executive Sam Page delivered a keynote, followed by a discussion from panelists Rodney Crim, CEO of the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, Juli Niemann, CFA and Executive Vice President of Smith Moore, and Representative Derek Grier of the Missouri House of Representatives.
Collaboration has to occur, and not just with this event. The result of working together and sharing resources is exciting—because collaboration is the formula for success in any work!
WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR 2020?
When I look at 2020, we’ll use the information collected from my first 90 days to develop a framework to launch products and platforms that will guide us in the new year.
This organization is not lacking in smart, talented experts enthusiastically willing to get involved. We, as the Chamber, need to figure out how to plug them in.
We currently have 450 businesses. My goal is to have 500 businesses by the end of 2020. More members can truly make a difference in our business lives.
That’s our opportunity, and we are on it.