Change is coming soon for the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce.
After 25 years leading the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Jeanine McKenna is going west. McKenna will become the president of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation next month. {She is excited for new role but says this is a bittersweet time, reflecting on her move from New Ulm, Minnesota, to Emporia as a way to be closer to family.}
McKenna is proud of the work the Chamber has done during her tenure, including the development of Little Lyons Childcare as part of overall work through Ignite Emporia. The Chamber also developed and enhanced partnerships with the Emporia Community Foundation, Emporia State University, Flint Hills Technical College and others for housing and economic development. She is entering new ground with her new role, but she says her experience through the Chamber will definitely help her get settled.
McKenna will lead an organization supporting nearly 400 charitable funds across 15 counties. She begins July 21.
Meanwhile, longtime Visit Emporia Public Relations Manager Kelly Mayer has announced her retirement. Mayer was originally on the Chamber side from 2006-2012 and then returned to the Trusler Business Center on the Visit Emporia side in 2015. She tells KVOE News she had been planning for retirement for about a year and was originally planning to already be retired, but she extended her time in the office to July 2 with McKenna nearing a decision on her future. Mayer plans to expand her travel time and spend more time riding her bike as part of her upcoming retirement activities.
Emporia City Commissioner Becky Smith says both will be missed.
Chamber Board Chair Lisa Kirmer says the next Chamber president will bring fresh perspectives to the work ahead.
Searches are either underway or beginning soon. In Visit Emporia’s case, given a tentative plan for operations by the city of Emporia, Kirmer says Matt Fowler has been appointed as the agency’s interim director until a new oversight plan is finalized.
10:30 pm Tuesday: McKenna stepping down as Emporia Chamber President and CEO come July; Set to take on new role as President of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Emporia Chamber of Commerce President Jeanine McKenna has announced she will be stepping down from the role Come next month.
It was announced Tuesday that McKenna has decided to step down from the role she has held for the past 25 years effective July 16. McKenna will be departing Emporia to assume the role as President of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation where she will be leading philanthropic efforts across a 15 county region which provides support for nearly 400 charitable funds.
Of her time as President and CEO of the Emporia Chamber, McKenna stated in a news release, “Serving the Chamber and the Emporia community has been the honor of my life. Together, we launched Ignite Emporia, initiated Little Lyons Childcare, and forged strategic partnerships that will continue supporting regional economic growth in the years ahead.”
Chamber Board President Lisa Kirmer stated in the same news release, “On behalf of the Board, I personally thank Jeanine for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment. Her legacy has positioned the Chamber for continued success.”
A search for McKenna’s replacement is set to begin immediately. KVOE News has reached out to McKenna for further comment on her upcoming departure.
