It’s the end of an era. After 13 years, my last day at the NC Chamber was Friday. With a rising Kindergartener, it was wild to realize that I have worked at this place the same length of time I spent in my K-12 school career.
I have been so proud to lead the strategic communications function of the organization for that long. We have rebranded, enhanced offerings for the membership, honed our messages, supported many major advocacy wins, and told the incredible people-first stories of North Carolina employers. I even had the honor of writing a U.S. Senate testimony and celebrating North Carolina being the #1 state for business – twice.
What really stands out when I look back on 13 years though, is the people. The people at and connected to the NC Chamber have supported me and cheered me on through some of my biggest life events. I met my husband while I worked at the NC Chamber, got engaged there, and was diagnosed with breast cancer seven weeks before our wedding. Through it all, the NC Chamber team showed up at every turn, bringing us meals, sending us thoughtful notes, and generally reminding me that they had my back.
I was seven months pregnant with our daughter when the pandemic sent us all home “for a few weeks.” As I opened a Zoom meeting to connect with the leadership team one afternoon no one was there. Instead I heard horns honking, looked out the window and there was a parade of cars outside my house, each one with a smiling colleague inside. It was such a beautiful surprise celebration.
It hasn’t just been the coworkers either, members, many of whom have incredibly busy schedules and roles in our state and beyond, took the time to celebrate as well. I received handwritten notes and even gifts for our sweet girl and they were always cheering on my health.
In 2023, I was walking into a leadership team meeting when the hospital called to give me the biopsy results and confirm my breast cancer recurrence. I was gutted and as I uttered the words and looked into the eyes of my colleagues, I knew they were too. Once again they showed up, cheered me on, and gave me so much strength and support to walk that next phase.
When I decided that it was time for me to take this next step, I knew, once again, the Chamber team and our members would be rooting for me. I am so thankful for that kind of support.
The people that I have met through my time at the NC Chamber are incredibly special humans. They have taught me about advocacy, sales, and even the legal world. They have also taught me that no matter what you’re doing, it’s all about people and they are some of the finest I know.
Thank you to all of my colleagues over the years, to our members, to our allied organizations. I am better for knowing you and I am especially thankful that we will continue to work together as I now launch my own business and count the NC Chamber as my first client. Here’s to the next chapter!