News from the Chamber

Dear DC Chamber Members:

On behalf of the DC Chamber Board of Directors, I am happy to announce that earlier this afternoon, the Board voted to name Angela Franco, our permanent President & CEO. The Executive Search Committee conducted an objective review and evaluation and concluded that Angela is the right person to lead this Chamber into the future, expanding opportunities and support for our members.

This is the formal announcement.

Please join the Board of Directors in congratulating Angela.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Rudd
Board Chair

DC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NAMES ANGELA FRANCO
AS ITS PRESIDENT AND CEO

Franco Will Be Chamber’s First Latina Leader

Angela Franco, President & CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON, DC (March 22, 2021) – Today, the DC Chamber of Commerce named Angela Franco as its permanent President and CEO. The Board voted unanimously in a special session after nine months of Franco serving as Interim President & CEO.

“Angela hit the ground running when she became interim President & CEO in July, sustaining the Chamber through a pandemic, civil unrest in the region, and at a time when businesses were hurting,” said Carolyn Rudd, Board Chair and President and CEO, CRP, Inc. “An experienced leader, Angela has demonstrated passion and vision to grow the DC Chamber of Commerce and has already set the Chamber in the right direction.”

“I am honored to become the next President & CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce,” said Angela Franco, President & CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce. “This is an incredible time of opportunity for the Chamber to work side by side with our members to help guide them on a path to recovery. I look forward to moving the organization forward and working together to strengthen all businesses in our great city.”


Specifically, since joining the Chamber, Franco has stabilized the organization and has been laser focused on the budget, reforecasting based on the impact of the pandemic, reducing expenses and reengineering the staffing structure for optimal program results. In addition, she has maintained key partner relationships resulting in increased funding from both the public and private sector and increased engagement from the membership.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors began it search process in January of this year, establishing an Executive Search Committee (ESC) comprised of seven board members. The ESC voted to proceed with the vetting of the Interim candidate. The process included posting of the position internally and interviewing and assessing the interim candidate, using an objective rating scale and summative evaluation of the candidate. The ESC brought its results and recommendation to the full board who voted today.

Prior to joining the DC Chamber of Commerce as Interim President & CEO, Franco was the Senior Advisor for Business Development at the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority (DCHBX) where she was responsible for collaborating with the Hispanic and business communities as well as local and Federal governments.
Prior to joining DCHBX, Franco was President and CEO of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) from 2009 to 2017. Under her leadership, the organization was strengthened and revitalized as evidenced by its dramatic membership growth from 60 members when she started, to 670 members upon her departure. It also experienced a 500% increase in operating revenue during her eight years of service. She led the organization in regaining the trust of its members, partners and sponsors. Because of her passion and commitment, more than 70% of the Chamber’s members have grown their businesses and increased their ROI.

“The DC Chamber of Commerce is the chamber of the future, representing all businesses in the District,” adds Rudd. “As we begin to recover from the pandemic, it is our desire to embrace and assist as many businesses as possible to continue to exist, pivot and or reopen. The Chamber has a big role to play and we believe that Angela is the right person to position the Chamber to accomplish its goals.”