Natalie English, CCE, IOM Named ACCE Board Chair

ACCE News / July 22, 2026

Natalie English, CCE, IOM, president & CEO of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina, was named chair of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Board of Directors during the organization’s annual meeting on July 21 in New Orleans.

In her remarks, English thanked outgoing board chair Jim Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, for his leadership. “It has been an honor to serve alongside you, and I look forward to continuing our work together with you, our executive committee, our board and our staff in the year ahead,” English said.

She also encouraged chamber leaders to view today's rapid change as an opportunity for innovation and growth, highlighting resilience and adaptability as defining strengths of the profession. Looking ahead, English outlined ACCE's strategic priorities, including continued investment in research, leadership development, peer learning and practical tools to help chambers. She concluded with a preview of Chambers Change Things, a new brand campaign launching this fall to strengthen public understanding of the impact chambers have in communities nationwide.

"One of the ways we can better support the profession is by helping all of us tell a stronger, more consistent story about the value we create," said English. "Chambers Change Things will give us one shared message, but it also leaves room for every chamber to make that message feel authentic to its own community, its own work and its own voice."

ACCE is the professional society supporting the women and men who lead local, regional, statewide and international chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations. Its membership includes more than 1,600 business/civic organizations worldwide, representing more than 9,000 professionals. The association provides members with information resources, thought leadership, education programs, original research, benchmarking, retirement security and access to a network of peers.

ACCE board chairs serve a one-year term. In this role, English will oversee the activities of ACCE's board of directors that provides leadership and strategic direction to the association’s 23-person staff.

The other members of the ACCE Executive Committee announced during the July 21 annual meeting include: 

  • Chair-elect: Alisha Benson, IOM | Greater Spokane Inc.

  • Immediate Past Chair: Jim Rooney | Greater Boston Chamber

  • Treasurer: Brittany Quick-Warner | Eugene Area Chamber

  • Vice Chair: Becky Bartoszek | Fox Cities Chamber

  • Vice Chair: Derek Miller | Salt Lake Chamber

  • Vice Chair: Maria Salinas | Los Angeles Area Chamber

  • Vice Chair/MDD Chair: Justin Saunders | Hampton Roads Chamber

  • Metro Cities Chair: Chellie Cameron | The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

  • 2027 Convention Host: Tim Giuliani, CCE | Orlando Economic Partnership

  • ACCE Foundation Chair: Bob DuBois, IOM | Noblesville Chamber

  • Partnership Liaison: Nikki Devitt, IOM, Petoskey Regional Chamber

  • Engaging the Public Sector: Matt Morrow, Springfield Area Chamber

  • International Seat: Rory Ring, CCE | Chatham-Kent Chamber (Canada)

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