Leadership change for the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
By Sam Catanzaro
The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce has announced that long-time President and CEO Laurel Rosen will step down within the next several months.
According to the chamber, the exact timing of her departure will depend on the start date of her successor.
Rosen has served as President and CEO for 14 years. Prior to taking the helm of the Chamber, she served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for nine years. About her 23-year commitment to Santa Monica’s economic vitality and community wellbeing.
“From my earliest days, I was passionate about the role the Chamber plays in serving our beautiful community, and I have been inspired by the people I have met. I will be forever grateful to the friends and mentors who have supported me along the way, and I am very proud of our collective achievements,” Rosen said.
In a press release announcing Rosen’s departure, the Chamber praised her for being “among the most active leaders in the community.”
Among’s Rosen achievements include: Collaborating with the City of Santa Monica to create the Santa Monica Alliance whose mission is to attract, retain and grow business in Santa Monica; • Creating the Organization of Women Leaders (OWL) focused on supporting women in leadership; Working with the city’s Commission on the Status of Women to produce the International Women’s Day event; and developing a slate of annual city-wide events, including the State of the City, Sustainable Quality Awards, New Heroes Celebration, Buy Local Health and Fitness Expo, among many others.
In addition, Rosen established the Santa Monica Chamber Foundation in 2010 to promote economic development through education. The foundation supports the annual Career Day at Santa Monica High School. In partnership with SMC, it supports the NextGen Leadership Program for students of color.
“For over two decades, Santa Monica has benefitted from Laurel’s leadership, and I’ve benefitted from working alongside a wonderful human being,” said Debbie Lee, the City’s chief communications officer. “She shared her heart with Santa Monica and her gift to bring people together to advocate as well as to celebrate. Her legacy is our genuine sense of community.”
Board Chair Michael Ricks will lead the process to recruit the new Chamber President.
Also among those for praise for Rosen is TJ Montemer, publisher of the Santa Monica Mirror
“Laurel was the first person in the city to welcome me with open arms as a young 23-year-old owner of the Santa Monica Mirror. She really did care about the people that she and the chamber touched – it’s rare to see that type of genuine character that Laurel possesses on all levels from the personal to the professional. She will be greatly missed and we here at the Santa Monica Mirror wish her an amazing next chapter!” Montemer said.
Board Chair Michael Ricks will lead the process to recruit the new Chamber President.
