In business, pressure is constant. Revenue goals. Hiring decisions. Policy shifts. Client expectations. Unyielding deadlines. Most leaders I talk to aren’t asking for less responsibility; they are asking how to carry it well. Few people understand pressure like Olympians. The Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina just ended, and one storyline stayed with me. During theContinue reading
One of my favorite events we host at the Chamber is Lunch with a Leader. It’s intentionally small, conversational, and real. You get a behind-the-scenes look at someone’s journey, not just their title or résumé, but the person behind the business. The series actually grew out of the COVID era, when we could only have about 15Continue reading
Welcome to a new year at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, I choose a word or phrase that helps frame our work and set the tone for the year ahead. For 2026, that phrase is Back to Basics. This idea was sparked by our Fall General Membership Luncheon and our keynote speaker, Matt LaCosse. DuringContinue reading
Welcome to December. As the season of gratitude and giving continues, we want to begin with a sincere thank you to our Members and our entire community. Your engagement and support allow us to continue moving Business Forward, and for that, we are truly grateful. I also want to thank everyone who joined us for two meaningful events in November,Continue reading
Change is constant in business, and understanding the factors that drive our economy is essential. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Economic Forecast event connects local businesses with national experts who can help make sense of the trends, risks, and opportunities shaping the year ahead. This year, we’re inviting members to share even moreContinue reading
Last month, I had the honor of joining chamber leaders from across the country in Louisville, Kentucky, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 (CCC100) Fall Meeting — my first as a new member of this prestigious group. This experience wasn’t just about making contacts; it was about solidifying our Chamber’s role asContinue reading
This summer I spent time with other chamber leaders across the country — at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) convention, through the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management program (IOM), and with the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE). The best part of those gatherings is the conversations: what’s changingContinue reading
When’s the last time you turned off your email, silenced your phone, and gave yourself the space to really brainstorm? Not just to make a to-do list, but to step back and think big—about your business, your team, your industry, or even yourself. I recently had the opportunity to attend the Association of Chamber ofContinue reading
At the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, we often say that people do business with people they know, like, and trust. One of our TEAMs, Team B2B, says it best: they’re “friends that do business together.” That kind of connection doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through time, trust, and genuine relationships. While those intangibles areContinue reading
Your voice matters—but so do the voices around you. So, who’s in your circle? Leadership, growth, and impact don’t happen in isolation. We all need a circle—trusted people who challenge us, lift us up, ask the tough questions, and remind us who we are when the noise gets loud. Maybe it’s a mentor, a colleague,Continue reading
