18th Class of Chamber Professionals Graduate Academy

Having completed 18 core Academy courses and securing additional professional development credits over a three year timeframe, 32 chamber professionals were honored at WACE’s annual conference as graduates of the WACE Academy. 

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WACE Chair-elect Whitney Diver McEvoy and Academy Steering Committee Chair Glenn Morris introduced one of the largest graduating classes yet. Graduates spent the last three years learning foundational aspects of running a local chamber, participating in professional development activities specific to their roles and career paths, and building peer networks with fellow Academy members, alumni and faculty.  Members of the 18th graduating class include:

• Karen Alvarez, Director of Operations, Lodi District (CA) Chamber
  
• Angie Anderson, IOM, President & CEO, Glenwood Springs (CO) Chamber
  
• Elaine Bartolome, Business Development Manager, Silicon Valley-Los Altos (CA) Chamber
  
• Rachel Beld, President & CEO, Vista (CA) Chamber
  
• Trista Borrego
  
• Trish Christensen, ACE, President & CEO, Modesto (CA) Chamber
  
• Josh Cross, President & CEO, Atascadero (CA) Chamber
  
• Lisa Farquharson, CEO, The Dalles Area (OR) Chamber
  
• Lynsey Hansen, Membership Director, Morro Bay (CA) Chamber
  
• Mitzi Hathaway, Director, Tourism Development, Florence Area (OR) Chamber
  
• Amanda Kinsella, COO, Eugene Area (OR) Chamber
  
• DeAnna Largent, Director of Business Development, Puyallup Sumner (WA) Chamber
  
• Marie Laveaga, President & CEO, La Habra Area (CA) Chamber
  
• Natalie Leighton, VP of Membership, Long Beach Area (CA) Chamber
  
• Jen Little, Director of Communications & Brand Strategy, Washington County (OR) Chamber
  
• Judy Lloyd, President & CEO, Danville Area (CA) Chamber
  
• Jessica Love, Community Engagement Coordinator, City of Tigard (OR)
  
• Brandon Marley, President & CEO, Greater Coachella Valley (CA) Chamber
  
• Jesse Miles, Executive Director, McKinleyville (CA) Chamber
  
• Kimberly Mosley, CEO, Silicon Valley-Los Altos (CA) Chamber
  
• Jessica Penman, President  CEO, Truckee (CA) Chamber
  
• Jena Rodriguez, Director of Operations, Visalia (CA) Chamber
  
• Cheri Rosenberg-LaBoy, CEO, Pendleton (OR) Chamber
  
• Dara Schumacher, VP of Operations, Washington COunty (OR) Chamber
  
• Christine Schweininger, Executive Director, Valley Builders Exchange (CA)
  
• Caren Spilsbury, Executive Director/CEO, Norwalk (CA) Chamber
  
• DeVika Stalling, CEO, Lompoc Valley (CA) Chamber
  
• T.J. Sullivan, President & CEO, Parker (CO) Chamber
  
• Ramiro Urias, CEO, Brawley (CA) Chamber
• Ailis Vann, Executive Director, Greater Palmer (AZ) Chamber
• Angie Waiss, Executive Director, Skamania County (AK) Chamber
• ​Valerie Zizak-Morais, President & CEO, American Canyon (CA) Chamber

Academy Steering Committee Chair, Glenn Morris, congratulated the graduates.  “We’re proud of commitment that these Chamber professionals have demonstrated to their professional development and to being impactful leaders in their community,” he said.  “We also acknowledge that many others, including their co-workers, board members, and families, had to lean in and support them in completing this premier professional development course.”
The next class of the WACE Academy will be held August 4-7 in Sacramento, CA.   Registration information will be distributed to all WACE member chambers in late March.