Angela Mitchell’s Chairman Speech from the 2024 Annual Meeting & Community Leadership Awards
View photos, finalists, and winners from the event. View the Chamber’s Board of Directors here.
Dear Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, Members and Staff,
I am honored to present my 2024 as Chairman of the Board of Directors, a role that requires leadership and a commitment to shaping the future of the Chamber for our members and the Business Community at large.
In my role as Chairman, I am committed to upholding and advancing the values that make our Chamber a beacon of excellence. There are many things that I hope to accomplish this year including:
- Membership Engagement for all of our members from start-ups to large corporations. This past year we had historic membership growth and retention, and we want to continue on this path. As Chair, I want to look for additional ways to enhance our membership engagement, through networking events and connecting our members with resources and partners to help them grow their business, with a particular interest in meeting the needs of our underrepresented businesses. I also want to expand our membership benefits to include offering more training and educational opportunities.
- Policy/Advocacy: I want to continue championing policies that create a conducive environment for business growth and development. By engaging with policymakers, collaborating with local leaders, and actively participating in community initiatives, we will make our voices heard and shape the future of our business community by advocating for policies such as workforce housing, workforce development, and workforce health and wellness.
- Innovation: in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, as a business community, agility is key. I envision our Chamber leading the way in embracing innovation, technology, and sustainable practices. I want us to be at the forefront of change ensuring that our community remains resilient and competitive.
- Inclusivity: Diversity + Equity = inclusivity. This is not a zero-sum game. Our strength lies in our collective abilities, diverse perspectives, and shared commitment to our mission. As Chair, I want to continue fostering an inclusive environment to ensure that underrepresented businesses have access to resources to build and sustain their business.
We are more powerful when we work together, share ideas, and support each other’s success. Together, we will harness the collective intelligence of this board to navigate the complexities of our diverse business community needs.
Continuing to make inroads in the areas of membership, policy, innovation, and inclusivity will require the willingness to adapt and innovate but together, we will continue to find opportunities for growth and progress.
In closing, let me assure you that I am here to serve our members and our community. I look forward to working alongside each of you, together, we will strengthen our bonds and as a result, make our Chamber and Loudoun County even more remarkable in the years to come.
Finally, I extend my sincere gratitude to each one of you for entrusting me with this important role. I am excited about the incredible journey that lies ahead for our business community. I am eager to collaborate with each member of this esteemed board, Tony Howard, Chamber staff, and our community partners. Together, we will embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and community impact as we write the next chapter of our Chamber’s success story.
Thank you.
– Angela Mitchell, 2024 Chair of the Loudoun Chamber Board of Directors, President & CEO of ARM Consulting LLC
Photo Above: (left) Angela Mitchell, 2024 Chair of the Board; (right) Carol Barbe, 2023 Chair of the Board, at the Annual Meeting & Community Leadership Awards on Thursday, February 22, 2024 (credit, Alex Mangione Photography)