BRATTLEBORO-The Brattleboro Regional Chamber of Commerce (BRCC) has chosen Rachel Shields Ebersole as its new executive director.
“There’s a lot to take in — a lot of history, a lot going on,” says Shields Ebersole, who started work earlier this month and brings more than a decade of experience in community building, communications, program management, and regional economic development to the role.
Priorities for her, once she has a handle on the big picture, will be “leaning into the regional identity and doing outreach” and “learning about what the members really need; I’m excited about that.”
One need she already sees is helping the BRCC to stake a claim to serving the region.
“The organization is still perceived as just Brattleboro,” says the new director.
There is currently no county Chamber here, but two others exist in the region — Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce in Bellows Falls and Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce in Wilmington.
The BRCC online directory lists 226 members. Of them, a search by location in Brattleboro yields 173. The balance of members are distributed among 24 other towns in Vermont as well as in Massachusetts and New Hamphshire.
“Geography and boundaries are all a little fluid,” she says. “I think we’ll all work really well together, and we’re all sort of happy that everybody is doing the work together.”
As far as how to emphasize the regional nature of the work, Shields Ebersole cites “messaging and outreach — to really specifically talk to businesses that are outside the town limits.”
A decade of community building
Shields Ebersole, who now lives in Greenfield, Massachusetts, has lived in many places, including Vermont, previously to the 3½ years she has most recently resided in the area.
Her last position was as GROW SoVermont program manager and community projects specialist at Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), where she developed and led initiatives focused on newcomer engagement, regional connection, events, and communications across southern Vermont.
Her background includes work for membership organizations, coworking, publishing, art nonprofits, and community engagement initiatives across several states.
Earlier in her career Shields Ebersole managed an organic farm’s CSA membership program in western Colorado, helped operate a large coworking space in Oregon, supported an arts and culture coalition in Wisconsin, and worked in book publishing and editorial project management in central Vermont.
Why did she want this job?
“I really loveD doing the regional work [at BDCC], regional network building with a newcomers program, and nonprofit and municipal capacity building,” she says, adding that funding constraints caused her position at BDCC to be cut.
Both Shields Ebersole and the BRCC board of directors credit Kate O’Connor for stepping in for the interim between the 2025 death of longtime Executive Director Greg Lesch and Shields Ebersole’s recent hiring.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Kate for stepping in to provide steady leadership and continuity during an important moment for the Chamber,” says board Chair Jonas Murray. “Her commitment to this organization and this region has been invaluable.”
“She did a lot of work to get things organized and able to pass on,” adds Shields Ebersole.
Excited for the energy
“Rachel brings exactly the combination of relationship building, organizational leadership, and regional knowledge that the Chamber needs in this moment,” Murray says. “She understands the importance of supporting local businesses while also helping people feel connected to the broader community.”
Murray adds that the board is “excited for the energy, thoughtfulness, and collaboration she brings to this role.”
Her hiring comes at a time when the organization “is entering an important new chapter as we continue strengthening our role as a trusted regional guide and connector for southeastern Vermont,” Murray says, noting the organization’s focus on “supporting member visibility, strengthening business and community connections, sharing useful information, and helping people better navigate the opportunities and resources across our region.”
As executive director, Shields Ebersole will lead the Chamber’s ongoing work to strengthen member visibility, expand regional partnerships, support local businesses, and continue developing the organization’s role as a trusted source of information, advocacy, and connection for the region.
“The common thread throughout my career has always been building community — helping people connect, collaborate, and feel invested in the places where they live and work,” she says.
Shields Ebersole says that mission “is at the heart of what a Chamber can do at its best.”
“I’m excited to continue strengthening relationships, supporting businesses, and helping connect people with the opportunities and resources that make southern Vermont vibrant and resilient,” she adds.
While living in the Upper Valley earlier in her career, Shields Ebersole organized community-building initiatives for young professionals and remote workers focused on strengthening connection and local engagement.
“I’m looking forward to learning from and with the businesses, organizations, and communities that make this region special,” she said. “There’s real momentum here, and I’m excited to help build on it.”
For more information about the Brattleboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, visit brattleborochamber.org.
This News item by Virginia Ray was written for The Commons.