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Just over two months from now, the W.A.C.E. Chamber Professionals Leadership Academy will convene again in San Francisco. New executives, staff members advancing their careers, and Chamber pros sharpening their saws will gather to participate in three days of learning, networking, and sharing all with the goal of helping them better deliver on the promise of a high-impact local Chamber in their community. The Academy Committee works to ensure that the program content is current, relevant, and that courses are led by faculty who bring experience and subject matter expertise to their presentations. This year’s program includes both new/enhanced courses and new faculty. Curriculum Updates First Year participants will have new course, Chamber Operations, which will include elements of the previous Budget Development & Financial Policies & Procedures courses, along with an emphasis on technology and operational efficiency. Second Year participants will find three new or modified courses:
New Faculty W.A.C.E. is proud of the faculty who volunteer to lead courses during the Academy each year. Many return each year to give back and help build the next generation of Chamber professionals and leaders. However, from time to time, new faculty are introduced as we bring in new courses or as existing faculty step away for a time. New to the faculty this year are the following:  Amy Hager, Founder & CEO, Amy Hager Solutions, LLC. Amy Hager helps chambers, associations, and mission-driven organizations grow revenue, engagement, and visibility through better messaging and smarter sales conversations. A former Chamber staffer and Association Executive herself, Amy understands the unique challenges of wearing multiple hats and brings real-world solutions that work even with limited time and team capacity. With 20 years of experience leading strategic marketing and membership growth, she’s known for helping small teams simplify what they say, connect more deeply with members and sponsors, and increase results without relying on hustle or high-pressure tactics. Amy is faculty for the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management and a 2017 graduate. She also co-leads the Joyful Business Revolution, where she helps service-based organizations clarify their message and grow with ease.  Candace Carnahan, ACE, President & CEO, Grand Junction Area Chamber. Candace Carnahan is a relationship-driven, solution-oriented leader with a passion for putting strategy into action. As the President & CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, she is committed to fostering a thriving business climate in western Colorado through advocacy, innovative partnerships, and forward-thinking initiatives that benefit the 800 local businesses the Chamber serves. Candace is a Board Member of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leads Fellowship, which focuses on the critical connection between K-12 education and workforce development. A Grand Junction native and graduate of Central High School, Candace enjoys golfing, hiking with her dog Harlow, and spending time with her husband of 20 years.  Colin Diaz, Western Regional Director, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy Colin Diaz is a seasoned chamber executive, consultant, and national thought leader on membership growth, revenue strategy, and organizational performance. As Western Regional Director for the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), he works with chambers and economic development organizations across Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and the rest of the Western United States to navigate complex industry shifts, strengthen member value, and lead in emerging economic conversations around Clean Energy. Colin previously served as President & CEO of multiple chambers of commerce, where he led transformational growth strategies, built high-impact partnerships, and developed innovative revenue models that strengthened financial sustainability and member engagement. He is also the founder of FocusonWIN360, a consulting firm that helps chambers, associations, and business organizations increase revenue, enhance leadership effectiveness, and drive measurable outcomes. A faculty member for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, Colin teaches on revenue development, data-driven decision-making, and advanced economic and community development. He is known for delivering actionable, real-world strategies that help leaders move from ideas to execution. Colin holds an MBA from Duke University and an MFA from Chapman University and is an Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE), as well as an Institute for Organization Management (IOM) & WACE Academy graduate. His work is grounded in a simple philosophy: focus on what’s important now to drive meaningful, lasting impact. These new instructors join a strong faculty team that includes:
Details for this year’s program, and registration information, can be found here: https://web.cvent.com/event/61839e67-a453-479a-a81a-1a3da9de6eb1/summary. Join us and build your expertise in foundational subjects critical to Chamber career success, and become part of a cohort of peers who you can count on for support for years to come. We look forward to seeing you in San Francisco!
1 Comment
5/30/2026 11:02:05 am
I want to register my colleague, Audrey Marroquin for Academy. Leave a Reply. |
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