Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce embraces next chapter with new leadership

The Valpo Chamber has long been a valued part of the community, shaped by a dedicated staff and a shared commitment to the city they serve.

After two decades as president, Rex Richards is preparing to retire, and the Chamber is looking ahead to its next chapter. Vanessa Lynch will become president, while Stephanie Edwards will take on the role of executive vice president of growth and engagement. Together with the Chamber team, they plan to build on that foundation while developing programs and opportunities that reflect the needs of today’s members.

For Lynch and Edwards, a strong business community is closely connected to the quality of life surrounding it. Schools, parks, culture, and opportunities to connect all contribute to making Valparaiso a place where people choose to live, work, and invest. “People choose where to live based on quality of place—the schools, parks, activities, culture, and connections that make a community desirable,” Lynch said.

The Chamber helps strengthen those connections through business advocacy, leadership development, events, and partnerships throughout the city.

That approach has guided the team’s work in recent years, including the introduction of programs that bring new voices and perspectives into the Chamber.

One example is the Lift & Lead Women’s Leadership Luncheon, which brings women together to share experiences, learn from one another, and build professional relationships. Attendance grew from its first year to its second, reflecting interest in opportunities that combine meaningful conversation with connection. “We’re intentional with everything,” Lynch said.

That intentional approach also extends to recognition. The Chamber introduced the Chamber Champion and Emerging Leader awards to celebrate both dedicated supporters and professionals contributing fresh ideas and leadership to Valparaiso.

For Edwards, recognizing those contributions is an important part of helping members feel valued and involved. “We want our members to feel connections,” Edwards said. “We want them to feel recognized. We want them to feel they’re part of something bigger.”

The team is also developing the Chamber Foundation, supported by $14,000 in seed funding. Its focus includes entrepreneurship, leadership development, and opportunities to support small business growth. As that work takes shape, the Foundation will help expand the Chamber’s ability to invest in the people and businesses contributing to Valparaiso’s future.

Across these efforts, the goal is to make Chamber membership meaningful beyond attendance at an event. Lynch and Edwards want members to build relationships, gain useful knowledge, and see how their involvement contributes to the broader community.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the Chamber brings businesses and community partners together around shared priorities. Its next chapter will continue that work while creating room for new ideas and ways to engage.

Lynch and Edwards see the leadership transition as an opportunity to honor the Chamber’s history while responding thoughtfully to the needs of a growing city.

For members, that means continued opportunities to connect, contribute, and help shape what comes next for Valparaiso.

To learn more about the Valpo Chamber, explore upcoming events, or become a member, visit valpochamber.org.