By Jay Lucas
SUNSHINE INITIATIVE
This week we are delighted to highlight a dedicated leader in the greater-Salem, New Hampshire area – Cindi Woodbury.
Less than a week ago, the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce announced a pivotal change in its leadership with the appointment of Cindi Woodbury as the new Executive Director. This ushers in a new chapter for the Chamber, and it is a testament to the organization’s commitment to fostering business relationships and community engagement across its service area, which covers Salem, Atkinson, Hampstead, Pelham, Windham and most recently Plaistow.
We called Cindi to congratulate her and to also learn more about her journey to this new leadership position. Woodbury’s path is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Her career took a turn in 2020 when the pandemic led to the loss of her 22-year-long training, employee engagement and HR position —a job she had initially planned to retire from. Despite the challenges posed by the job market, she was determined not to settle into retirement just yet. “I gotta do it,” she declared, acknowledging the uncertainty of the times and her need to stay active. Her extensive experience in community work and volunteering played a crucial role in shaping her decisions.
So, it’s no surprise that Woodbury’s journey led her to the Greater Salem Chamber, where she took on the Membership and Engagement position with the intention that it would serve as her ‘passion’ job before retirement. As she had hoped, this role would turn out to be a perfect fit, allowing her to flourish and excel. Through her efforts, she has played an instrumental role in expanding the Chamber’s membership to over 500 members—a remarkable achievement that showcased her dedication and capabilities.
Interestingly, Woodbury’s taking on the position of Executive Director was not in her plans. Her contentment in her existing role was evident, and she never anticipated taking on a more significant leadership role. However, circumstances shifted as the Executive Director of 16 years departed, followed by a brief replacement. Woodbury found herself at a crossroads and, driven by her desire to see the Chamber thrive, she expressed her interest in the position to the board.
What truly sets Woodbury apart is her passion for community engagement. Her involvement as President of the Salem School District’s PTA and her leadership in the Veterans Appreciation Breakfast reflect her deep-rooted commitment to making a positive impact. The Veterans Appreciation Breakfast, organized by Woodbury, holds particular significance due in large part from listening to her dad’s stories about fighting in a war and the effect on a 19-year old leaving this country to fight for the cause of freedom. This event, which involves sixth-grade students of Salem’s Woodbury School along with veterans and community members, celebrates the service of veterans and highlights their importance through heartfelt speeches (often by the NH Governor, Senators and Woodbury students) and gestures of appreciation.
In her new role as Executive Director, Woodbury’s dedication continues to shine as evidenced by the fact she was talking with us on her way to a ribbon cutting ceremony along with the Chamber’s Office Manager Liz Tsagaris. Her focus on fostering positive connections within the community, bridging businesses, students, and future leaders, underscores her commitment to building a harmonious environment.
Cindi Woodbury’s journey from an unexpected career setback to the helm of the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce exemplifies the power of resilience, community engagement, and the pursuit of one’s passions. Her story is an inspiration to us all—a reminder that each step, even the unexpected ones, can lead to remarkable destinations. Through her leadership, Woodbury is steering the Greater Salem Chamber towards a future where businesses thrive, communities unite, and having a positive impact reigns. To learn more about the exciting programs led by Cindi and her team, visit the Greater Salem Chamber’s website at Greater Salem Chamber
In closing, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Cindi Woodbury for her unwavering dedication, her ability to transform challenges into opportunities, and her role in making Salem a better place for all. And if that’s not enough, she shared that in order to better meet the growing and changing needs of the overall community — a new name, logo and website will be officially revealed on September 27th — so stay tuned for more great things to come from our Southern NH friends!
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.