The Roanoker Nov/Dec 2024 - 12

Do You Know...?
Do You Know ...
Amanda Livingston?
A
written by Aila Boyd
The executive director has revitalized the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber
of Commerce and deeply connects with the Roanoke Valley community.
manda Livingston recently celebrated her
two-year anniversary as executive
director of the Salem-Roanoke
County Chamber of Commerce.
Since moving to the Roanoke Valley,
she has become a key figure in the regional
business community as she's worked to revitalize
the chamber.
Originally from Rhode Island, she honed
her business acumen at Jackson Hewitt Tax
Service, Inc. over the course of 21 years where
she ultimately became a division vice president.
Later, she worked in real estate sales. Her background,
she says, has provided her with a strong
foundation for understanding the diverse needs
of businesses and the importance of building
strong community ties.
Settling into the Roanoke Valley several
years ago was a smooth transition for her and
her family. Living in Cave Spring with her
two high school-aged children, she found the
community welcoming and vibrant. Her kids,
a senior cheerleader and a sophomore football
player, immediately integrated into their
new school, while her oldest attends Virginia
Western Community College. " We're very
plugged into the community, and my kids love
it here, " she says. Her husband, Ken, shares this
enthusiasm.
The couple's love for the outdoors has led
them to complete the Triple Crown of hiking
- Dragon's Tooth, Tinker Cliffs and McAfee
Knob. They also enjoy walking the Roanoke
River Greenway. " We're really happy with the
lifestyle here, " she says, embodying the balance
of personal and professional fulfillment she
has found in the valley.
In looking back over the past two years,
Livingston feels good about the progress
the chamber has made, pointing
to the addition of 105 new members
in 2023 and a 203% increase in program
registrations. She attributes this
growth to her ability to connect with
12 november/december 2024
the community and understand its needs. " The
most surprising aspect of this job has been the
level of collaboration, " she says. " I expected
things to be more siloed, but instead, everyone
works toward the same goals of growing the
economy, creating jobs and retaining talent. "
Her passion for helping businesses is evident
in every initiative she undertakes. " I want to
help people and make a difference for good, "
she says. She spends much of her time in the
field, visiting companies and meeting with
professionals to understand their challenges
and how the chamber can support them.
From offering seminars on artificial intelligence
and cybersecurity to organizing Lunch
and Learn sessions on leveraging digital platforms,
she aims to
ensure the chamber's
programming
is diverse
and relevant,
catering to
solopr e -
neurs, small
businesses
and large
companies
alike.
Under her leadership, the chamber has not
only grown in numbers but also in its scope and
impact. She has formed relationships with local
business leaders, economic development organizations
and elected officials. " I've met with
key leaders in Salem and Roanoke County, and
I work closely with economic development
in these areas, " she explains. This network of
collaboration has been instrumental in driving
the chamber's initiatives. The chamber has
also made a conscious effort to expand its reach
outside of its traditional core in Salem to better
service businesses that are based in the county.
The chamber's 90th anniversary this year is
a significant milestone, marking nearly a century
of serving the local business community.
Livingston says this milestone is a testament
to the chamber's enduring relevance and its
commitment to fostering a thriving business
environment.
Looking ahead, her vision for the chamber
is clear. " We want to continue growing and
meeting the needs of the business community.
Our focus is on attracting and retaining talent,
and supporting our members with valuable
programs, " she says. New initiatives like the
EPIC Leadership Program and the NextGen
leadership luncheon have elevated the chamber's
offerings, she says, providing personal and
professional development opportunities to the
local business community.
Despite approaching the chamber as
though it's her life's passion, her journey
to this role is quite serendipitous. After
being widowed, she met her current husband
while living in Isle of Palms, South
Carolina, through a chance encounter
with a neighbor from Salem. This random
meeting led her to relocate to the
Roanoke Valley.
As she reflects on her two years
at the chamber, Livingston's leadership
has clearly shaped its current
direction. Her focus on fostering
collaboration and addressing
the needs of local businesses has
contributed to the chamber's evolving
role in the community. She hopes
the work done under her tenure will
offer a promising trajectory for the
chamber's future, as it continues to
adapt and respond to the region's business
landscape. I
TheRoanoker.com
COURTESY OF AMANDA LIVINGSTON
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker Nov/Dec 2024

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