Santee Chamber Weekly Update 13AUG26

Hello Santee!

Last week, I had the privilege of spending four days in the cool and windy city of San Francisco. I didn't travel for the Alcatraz tour (although that is definitely on my bucket list!), but for something far more valuable: three days of serious, roll-up-your-sleeves leadership development at the W.A.C.E. Academy.

W.A.C.E., the Western Association of Chamber Executives, runs a prestigious three-year program designed to grow not only your leadership skills, but to deliver applicable tools to grow our Chamber, create even more value for your business and community, and tackle real-world chamber challenges head on. For eight hours a day I was in the classroom, absorbing frameworks and engaging with some of the most candid and forward-thinking leaders in the chamber industry. The city was a backdrop. The work was the main event, and I did not come back simply informed. I came back energized and ready to move. The perspectives gained, the strategies explored, and the connections forged this week will directly shape what we build next for the Santee Chamber and the community we proudly serve.

None of this happens without support, so I want to extend a sincere thank you to our Board for investing in this three-year program, because leadership development is not a luxury, it is infrastructure, and because of that commitment, new plans are already taking shape. Stay tuned. The best is ahead!