Carol Gieske, longtime president and CEO of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, will retire in July but said she plans to assist with picking her successor and hopes to remain involved with the organization.
“I’ve decided to retire after a very rewarding chapter of leadership, feeling proud of what we have accomplished and being confident in the chamber’s strong position,” Gieske said. “It’s the right time for new leadership for this chamber who will come into a very strong organization with a dedicated staff and a board of directors serving the business community.”
Gieske was hired in July 2007 to handle the chamber’s marketing and special events and became its leader in January 2012. Her July 7 retirement date marks her 19th anniversary with the organization.
Prior to joining, Gieske led the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation for seven years, overseeing a capital campaign that raised more than $11 million for major healthcare expansions. She also worked for the United Way of Elgin for 21 years, serving as its CEO and helping to raise more than $44 million to support local social service organizations.
Gieske said one of the chamber’s biggest accomplishments under her leadership has been elevating its role as a central hub for business support, positioning the organization as the first stop for companies seeking connections, resources and strategic guidance.
“Supplemented by the vast resources of the Elgin Development Group, our economic development division, we are positioned well for the future,” she said.
The chamber has also broadened its programming and events so local businesses of all sizes can connect and thrive, she said. “Community collaboration has expanded, too, and we have strong partnerships locally and regionally that are vital for our business advocacy efforts,” Gieske said.
Over the years, the chamber has done what it could to help local businesses meet the challenges it’s faced and continues to face, she said.
“With the rapidly changing business environment, we have had to rethink programming to deliver more value to our customers,” she said.
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They’ve added more targeted marketing, professional development opportunities and leadership development initiatives to engage the next generation of leaders. During and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many businesses were struggling, the chamber prioritized its role as a community convenor and support system, she said.
“We responded by increasing communication, connecting businesses to relief resources, advocating on their behalf, and serving as a reliable business partner during that difficult time,” she said.
They also organized virtual meetings with human resource professionals from industry, nonprofits, governments and service sectors during the first month of COVID, where those involved shared challenges and experiences, such as where to get personal protective equipment and how to manage their workforce.
“That group continues to meet virtually each month five years later discussing the complexities of their respective industries,” Gieske said.
The chamber knows businesses are being impacted these days by economic uncertainty, inflation, changing conditions, government regulation, AI and social media, she said. Those are issues they’re trying to address with things like the recently-completed economic development strategic plan, which focuses on the chamber being a center for next-generation business services and manufacturing.
As for choosing her successor, Gieske said the person should be in place by the time she steps down so there can be a smooth transition.
As fourth-generation Elgin resident, she and her family plan to remain in the community and she would like to remain involved in the chamber, she said.
“I care deeply about this organization and its mission of connecting businesses and communities through engagement, advocacy, collaboration and leadership,” she said. “Perhaps there will be an opportunity to stay engaged in a limited capacity.”
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.