Ridgefield chamber welcomes new leadership
“I was an entrepreneur for 10 years before moving to Ridgefield, so I know what it’s like to be a small-business owner and wear all those hats. I’m incredibly excited to work with members of the business community. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people through my work with the nonprofits.” Kim Bova, incoming executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce
Kim Bova has been an entrepreneur as well as the leader of nonprofit organizations, giving her a unique perspective as she takes over as executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce.
“I was an entrepreneur for 10 years before moving to Ridgefield, so I know what it’s like to be a small-business owner and wear all those hats,” said the nine-year Ridgefield resident. “I’m incredibly excited to work with members of the business community. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people through my work with the nonprofits.”
Bova was formerly the marketing and communications manager at the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and the director of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra. She took over at the chamber last week and said there are many initiatives she wants to implement as she settles into the role.
“There are so many (goals),” she said. “I’m looking to revamp the chamber’s offerings for its members. We want businesses to say: ‘This is something we need.’ There are some exciting things we’ll roll out.”
Bova replaces Jennifer Zinzi, who stepped down as executive director this summer. The Bethel Chamber of Commerce also changed executive directors recently as Bradley Koltz replaced Heather Hansen-O’Neill this summer.
Ridgefield chamber board chairelect, Theresa Santoro, led the search committee to find a replacement for Zinzi.
“We were very pleased at the response for this position as well as the quality of the candidates,” she said. “The search committee was looking for a results-oriented individual with a vision to move the chamber forward. The perfect candidate had to be familiar with Ridgefield’s business community as well as its residents. We are so pleased to have Kim joining us.”
Jill Maguire, the current chair of the chamber, added: “Kim brings relevant experience, integrity and enthusiasm.”
Bova said she wants to “tailor offerings” to meet the needs of business-to-businesses, business-to-consumer and nonprofit organizations in greater Ridgefield.
“I look forward to working closely with chamber members and the Ridgefield community to support the town’s retailers, service providers and nonprofit organizations in new ways that recognize and best address their different business needs,” Bova said. “It’s an exciting time to be part of the chamber.”