New Leadership at San Jose Chamber of Commerce Signals a New Era The San Jose Chamber of Commerce has announced Leah Toeniskoetter as its new president and CEO, signaling a new era for the organization. Toeniskoetter, the founding director of public policy think tank SPUR San Jose and a senior manager at Deloitte, brings a wealth of experience in successfully launching initiatives, shaping public policy, and fostering community impact. She is set to lead the chamber into a new chapter, following the resignation of the previous CEO in August. This leadership change comes at a critical time for the chamber, which has faced challenges in recent years. Formerly known as the Silicon Valley Organization, the chamber dissolved its political action committee and lost hundreds of members after running racist campaign ads in 2020. Toeniskoetter’s appointment represents a fresh start and an opportunity for the chamber to regain trust and rebuild its reputation. The chamber highlights Toeniskoetter’s alignment with its commitment to advancing economic growth through convening, collaborating, and championing the San Jose business community. Her appointment signifies a focus on inclusivity, community impact, and economic vitality. Toeniskoetter herself expressed her honor at stepping into this leadership role and her dedication to serving the diverse community of San Jose and beyond. However, some community members have voiced concerns about the chamber’s historical ties to large corporations and its alleged prioritization of their interests over those of small businesses. Rev. Reginald Swilley, a partner at the Minority Business Consortium, called on the new CEO to prioritize the economic strength of the bottom 50% of the community and small businesses. Swilley highlighted the need for the chamber’s policies to address the wealth gap and foster an economic system that benefits everyone. The chamber’s previous actions, such as spreading racist ads and opposing measures to increase worker wages and hours, have also drawn criticism. Victor Gomez, the former director of the Silicon Valley Business PAC, emphasized the importance of the new CEO being willing to make enemies in order to effectively advocate for the business community. Gomez urged the chamber to revive its advocacy and muscle to address the current challenges faced by businesses in the region. In addition to the new CEO, the chamber announced Nicholas Adams as the chairman of the board. Adams, the chamber’s vice chair and president/CEO of NINICO Communications, expressed his excitement to work alongside Toeniskoetter and the board to prioritize the needs of chamber members. The appointment of Leah Toeniskoetter as the new president and CEO, along with the election of Nicholas Adams as the chairman of the board, signifies a fresh start for the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. With a renewed focus on inclusivity, community impact, and economic growth, the chamber aims to rebuild trust and advocate for the diverse business community of San Jose.