Earning the Certified Chamber Executive: A Decade in the Making
This summer, I was honored to be named a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The CCE is the highest and most elite professional designation in the chamber profession, recognized globally and exclusive to our industry. Only 26 professionals across 19 states earned this designation in 2025, which also happens to be the largest class in the program’s history.
This is not simply a certificate you apply for, or a completed project. It is a milestone that represents years of dedication, resilience, and growth.
The Journey to CCE
The path to the CCE is long and rigorous, intentionally so. It is designed to push you to reflect, demonstrate mastery, and show how you have applied your knowledge in the real world.
The process includes five phases:
- 1. Application – Candidates must demonstrate at least five years of executive experience. We also document professional development, volunteer service, and provide references from trusted colleagues.
- 2. Topic Proposal – Submitting a project that demonstrates innovation and impact in chamber management.
- 3. Essays – A series of essays testing both technical knowledge and strategic thinking.
- 4. Exam – A comprehensive test across chamber management, planning, membership, communications, finance, and operations.
- 5. Presentation & Interview – The final stage, presenting our project and undergoing a panel interview with industry peers.
The CCE is a demanding process by design and spanned 8 months to complete.
A Decade of Leadership
This week marks the start of my tenth year as a chamber executive. Achieving the CCE gave me an excellent opportunity to reflect on what these years have taught me.
Your Greatest Strength is your Achilles Heel
The lesson that has surprised me the most is that my greatest strength is also my Achilles heel. I believe this is true for most of us, and I could easily dedicate an entire blog post to unpacking this truth (and I probably should). Over the years, I have found that the very qualities that empower us to lead effectively are often the same ones that can create blind spots if we do not keep them in balance.
Hard Conversations Make Everyone Stronger
Some of my most significant growth has come from navigating challenges with the talented individuals I have had the privilege to employ. When I started in this role, I didn't yet know how to be firm with my boundaries and unashamed of the high expectations I have for people. I feared hurting people’s feelings, and I let that guide me far too often. I have since come to realize that hard conversations are not what hurt people. In fact, they are the very thing that prevents harm. Forcing myself to have tough conversations about performance, interpersonal conflict, mistakes, or misguided decisions, has made me a better leader, a better communicator, and a better friend and family member.
“Clarity, communication, and honest opportunities to pivot and grow are what make people their strongest.”
Chambers are Powerful Conveners
As I reflect on the evolution of this profession, I see chambers stepping more fully into their role as conveners. Chambers are a natural meeting point for business, community, and elected leaders to come together and solve problems.
“I believe chambers have an impactful mission and strong value to offer when we focus on what we do best: being a voice and a resource for business.”
Personal Growth Influences Leadership
The personal side of this journey has also shaped me professionally. In many ways, I have grown up in this role. Since becoming a chamber executive, I have purchased my first home (and then my second, third, fourth, and fifth). I have gotten married. I have become a step-mom. I have started three businesses. I have faced my own health challenges, supported family members through illness, carried five pregnancies, and celebrated the births of my two babies. All of this life has been lived while also leading chambers, and each new phase has changed me. These experiences have taught me perspective, empathy, and resilience.
“With each new phase in my life and new role I've taken on, I've gained perspective that has allowed me to better serve the people around me. Each new season of life has shaped how I lead, and made me more present as a mother, wife, daughter, and community member.”
Learn from your Past Self
If I could sit down with the Jessica who began this work ten years ago, I would tell her not to put off the hard conversations. Have them and have them right away! I would tell her to trust the vision she sees so clearly and to have confidence in the strategic directions she brings to the table. I would tell her to stay the course, even when the fruits of her labor seem distant.
Sitting where I am now, I wonder what I’ll want to say to myself in another 10 years. Taking to heart the lessons from the journey so far are how we best learn from our mistakes and trials.
What This Milestone Means
The CCE is, on the surface, a professional designation. But for me it is something much deeper. It represents the story of nearly a decade, a season of personal and professional growth, and a reminder of the resilience, clarity, and conviction it takes to lead.
I believe deeply in the mission of chambers. We are catalysts, conveners, and champions for the communities we serve. To earn this recognition from my peers in the industry is both an honor and a responsibility. It is a call to continue learning, to keep growing, and to stay focused on building a chamber that makes our region stronger.
“The CCE is more than a professional designation. For me, it is a reminder of how much I have grown, how much I have learned, and how much possibility lies ahead.”
Photo Credit: ACCE