Dear Guilderland Chamber of Commerce Members:
It is with a heavy heart that I announce Danielle Walsh’s resignation from the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce (“GCC”). Danielle became the GCC Executive Director months before COVID-19 changed our lives forever. Despite this, Danielle led the GCC and its members out of unprecedented times, and used the shutdown as an opportunity to make long-term strategic changes to the GCC.
During her time with the GCC, Danielle hosted the GCC’s first in-person annual dinner in two (2) years; hosted 17 ribbon cuttings in 2021; awarded three Cooperative Marketing Program grants to member businesses; increased membership retention rate, and brought in new members; redesigned and published a new Guide to Guilderland; hosted the GCC’s first job fair in partnership with Crossgates Mall; hosted in-person networking events (in as safe of a manner as possible); and created the GCC Advocacy and Economic Development Committee, which was formed to advocate on behalf of GCC members. Danielle has also been spearheading the GCC’s 50th year anniversary celebration. It goes without saying that the GCC is lucky to have Danielle play a part of those 50 years. Aside from her achievements, Danielle was great to work with, and I genuinely looked forward to hearing her updates at every Board meeting.
While we are sad to see Danielle go, I am also thrilled to announce that Kathy Burbank will be joining the GCC as Interim Executive Director. Many of our members had the privilege of having Kathy as Executive Director for over seven (7) years. Kathy has remained actively involved with the GCC by volunteering her time on committees and regularly attending GCC networking events. Recently, Kathy has been volunteering with the GCC to plan the GCC’s annual dinner and as a member of the GCC’s Events & Program Planning Committee. We are fortunate that Kathy will be able to hit the ground running as soon as she starts. Some of Kathy’s past achievements as GCC Executive Director include starting the Guilderland Restaurant Week; creating “Souped Up” on Guilderland; and bringing the GCC into the ‘digital age’ by focusing on social media and internet outreach. (Keep in mind, this was 2008!) Our members are certainly in good hands with Kathy.
The GCC is actively recruiting candidates to assume our open Executive Director position, so if you are interested in this position, please e-mail HR@guilderlandchamber.com for more information.
-Bridget Schultz, GCC Board of Directors Chairperson