Greater Northampton Chamber Welcomes Five New Board Members
Newly elected community leaders bring experience in entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, and leadership.
The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) welcomed five new Board members at its first meeting of 2023 last month. The group brings a diverse set of complementary skills and deep experience in entrepreneurship, community building, and leadership.
“I am honored to have such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of community and business leaders join our Board of Directors. Several of them have already been involved as volunteers on our various committees and engaged in our programs.” said Vince Jackson, Executive Director of the GNCC.
The new Board members are Erin Cahillane, Jillian Duclos, Ebru Kardan, Nanci Newton, and Amanda Shafii. “Our newest Board members have a deep connection to and investment in our business and cultural communities, and I am already energized by their passion for our shared work,” Jackson said.
Erin Cahillane, of Leeds, is the Amherst Fund Coordinator at Amherst College, and President of the Northampton St. Patrick’s Association. She received a BA in Communications from Keene State College, and an MA in Communications and New Media Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University. Born and raised in Northampton, Erin has a great appreciation for the history of our city and the individuals who helped build the community we love so much today. Her local perspective, paired with a decade of work in the non-profit sector, helps her consider the many smaller communities that come together to make Northampton unique. “I know that it takes all different kinds of businesses and personalities to have a successful and thriving community and I am honored to be joining the Chamber Board,” said Cahillane.
Jillian Duclos, who lives in Easthampton, is the Vice President of Operations for Roberto’s in Northampton. After earning a BA in Politics at Mount Holyoke College, Duclos explored many different paths – moving away to work in politics, then public relations, then for nonprofits. “In doing so,” she recalled, “I learned that the best place to make a real impact is in my community. Now I run a restaurant and am in the process of starting a nonprofit that aims to support and uplift the female entrepreneurs in Northampton. I look forward to using that experience to explore the best ways we can work together to make Northampton thrive.”
Ebru Kardan, of Northampton, is the Senior Director of Diversity Communications and Events at University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a BA in Philosophy and Art History from Rutgers University – New Brunswick. At UMass, Kardan provides leadership and oversight for internal and external visibility efforts of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and implements campus-wide campaigns that strategically advance the University’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategic goals. Ebru looks forward to putting that experience to work in her new role with the GNCC. “I am deeply interested in keeping Northampton a vibrant and diverse community of choice, with thriving businesses of all sorts,” said Kardan.
Nanci Newton, of Hadley, is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Owner of The Healing ZONE Massage on Russell Street in Hadley. She studied at The Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge, and holds a BA in Music Education from Westfield State College. A member of the Chamber for over twenty years, Nanci enjoys “being a part of a community that supports our friends, colleagues and neighbors.” Nanci is active in the local nonprofit community, volunteering for many events for Cancer Connection, Safe Passage, and others, in addition to her work with the GNCC. She is also a talented juggler who enjoys finding time to have fun.
Amanda Shafii, who lives in Northampton, is the Owner at CopyCat in Northampton. She holds a BS in Psychology/Neuroscience from UMass Amherst, where she also minored in Sociology. She looks forward to her work as a Board member for the Chamber, and its lasting effect on the community. “As a resident and small business owner in the area, the connections that I make with people in our community bring a sense of purpose and happiness to my life. Shopping local and supporting local business not only directly affects my business, but most importantly, keeps our area unique, diverse, and a beautiful place to live. I look forward to the opportunity as a new Board member to support our community and create positive impacts in the Greater Northampton Area.”
The GNCC Board of Directors meets monthly. Additionally, each board member is asked to serve on at least one of the GNCC’s standing committees – Finance Committee, Investor and Ambassador Relations Committee, Economic Development Committee, or the Community Engagement Committee which is also responsible for leading the GNCC’s DEI agenda. Board members may also serve on special ad hoc committees based on their interests.