The Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey – which will celebrate its 150th year in 2023 – has long been a strong advocate for businesses and business leaders in its region.
But which ones?
When the chamber did a deep dive of the organization during a leadership change in 2019 – when Christina Renna was elevated to CEO – it realized it was not as inclusive as it could be.
“In 2019, when we looked at how we could make an already strong organization even stronger – what were our weaknesses and where were the opportunities for us to evolve – the answer came at us fast and furiously as we evaluated our current membership and leadership composition," said Christina Renna.
Renna and the CCSNJ team, including board chair Ron Masciantonio (general counsel at Five Below) and executive VP Meredith Lorrilliere, quickly went to work.
There was a revamped mission, vision and new core values that focused on the chamber becoming a more inclusive and community-focused organization, Renna said.
“As we turn the page to 2023, I am proud of our inclusive growth that assures every Chamber member feels a sense of belonging when they walk into an event, that women and people of color feel seen and heard by our Chamber and its members, and that diverse member companies are being given every opportunity to do business with others in the region,” she said.
“More than that, I am excited for what is next and continuing to achieve our diversity and inclusion goals because the work will not, nor should it ever, stop.”
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