2008 Woodie Awards
Hadden named as Chamber's president
By: Angie Favot
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
Lisa Hadden was elated when she found out she was hired as the new president and chief executive officer of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
"I've spent the last 15 years doing a lot of community building in other communities, but never in my hometown," the Mount Pleasant resident said.
The Board of Directors approved the hiring March 7 in a unanimous vote. Hadden will begin work for the chamber on April 14.
"She's got great experience with profit and nonprofit entities. She is very smart, very passionate about her work and very eager," said Chairman of the Board of Directors John Olson. "She has a great personality and she's an awesome candidate."
Hadden's responsibilities as president are overseeing the staff, dealing with business after hours, seminars and organizing all the chambers functions, Olson said.
"I will make sure it is a sound organization, make sure everything's in order and serve as the liaison from the board to the community," Hadden said.
She said while president, she plans to get the word out about the great services of the chamber.
"I do have a real strong interest in entrepreneurial business," she said. "I would like to see that flourish, and we will do our best to make sure we connect every resource possible."
Hadden said she focuses on Asset-Based Community Development, a system developed by Northwestern University.
"It really has some great tools for looking at people's assets and capacities, and not just focusing on deficiencies," she said.
Hadden said looking at a community's assets and mobilizing those brings strength to the workforce.
"That's where the real change happens," she said.
Hadden said Mount Pleasant is growing and has unique opportunities because of Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
"Those bring in workforce and skills that make us unique," she said.
Olson said a large number applied for the president's position, and a total of nine came back for a second interview. Hadden was selected out of the final pool.
The interview was a multilevel process involving three interviews with each level of questions asked by the search committee with increasing difficulty, Hadden said.
"I think they had a very fair process and that just told me even more that this would be a good place to work," she said.
Hadden earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in English and communications from CMU.
Hadden admits liberal art degrees are not the most traditional areas for business, but said she uses her lessons in communication in all her fields of work.
"We hope she will be here for a long time," Olson said.
news@cm-life.com
"I've spent the last 15 years doing a lot of community building in other communities, but never in my hometown," the Mount Pleasant resident said.
The Board of Directors approved the hiring March 7 in a unanimous vote. Hadden will begin work for the chamber on April 14.
"She's got great experience with profit and nonprofit entities. She is very smart, very passionate about her work and very eager," said Chairman of the Board of Directors John Olson. "She has a great personality and she's an awesome candidate."
Hadden's responsibilities as president are overseeing the staff, dealing with business after hours, seminars and organizing all the chambers functions, Olson said.
"I will make sure it is a sound organization, make sure everything's in order and serve as the liaison from the board to the community," Hadden said.
She said while president, she plans to get the word out about the great services of the chamber.
"I do have a real strong interest in entrepreneurial business," she said. "I would like to see that flourish, and we will do our best to make sure we connect every resource possible."
Hadden said she focuses on Asset-Based Community Development, a system developed by Northwestern University.
"It really has some great tools for looking at people's assets and capacities, and not just focusing on deficiencies," she said.
Hadden said looking at a community's assets and mobilizing those brings strength to the workforce.
"That's where the real change happens," she said.
Hadden said Mount Pleasant is growing and has unique opportunities because of Central Michigan University and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
"Those bring in workforce and skills that make us unique," she said.
Olson said a large number applied for the president's position, and a total of nine came back for a second interview. Hadden was selected out of the final pool.
The interview was a multilevel process involving three interviews with each level of questions asked by the search committee with increasing difficulty, Hadden said.
"I think they had a very fair process and that just told me even more that this would be a good place to work," she said.
Hadden earned a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in English and communications from CMU.
Hadden admits liberal art degrees are not the most traditional areas for business, but said she uses her lessons in communication in all her fields of work.
"We hope she will be here for a long time," Olson said.
news@cm-life.com
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