Chamber's marketing director will take the helm when office reopens after the new year
After working with Eva Field (right) for three years, Amanda Wagner will take the reins as president and CEO of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce in January. Field is retiring after a 20-year career in Hinsdale. (Jim Slonoff photo)
Twenty years ago Eva Field had an interview with Jan Anderson for a part-time assistant director position at the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce. The two clearly hit it off.
"Three hours later, I left with the job," Field said.
Last week Field spent her last day with the chamber, retiring as president and chief executive officer. She said she's leaving the nonprofit in a good place.
"The chamber has moved into a healthy direction for the last several years," Field said. "I do always say Jan Anderson was the start of it. She started the new direction of the chamber and I followed through with it. I'm very happy to see where the chamber sits financially and the connection with the village."
She's also confident in her replacement, Amanda Wagner, who has worked as the chamber's marketing director for the last three years. A new membership director, Wendy Pickett, started last month, and a new marketing and special events director, Dakota Kolvitz, will join the staff in January.
"We have everybody in place," Field said. "To have Amanda at the helm and ready to go, and now we've formed a new team as well, which is exciting."
Field said the accomplishment she is most proud of and the part of the job she enjoyed the most are one in the same - the connections she's established and the friendships she's made. She also is proud of the chamber's relationship with the village, which she has continued to build.
"I can't say enough about the village," she said.
Retirement could consist of volunteering at a stable near her home for children and adults with special needs. It definitely will include more time with her four grandchildren, who range in age from 5 to 10.
She said she will miss the chamber members and her colleagues from other chambers.
"I just made so many great friendships through the years," she said. "I've been so blessed for many, many years to have a super board to work with and guide and that's who really makes the chamber very successful and healthy."
Field advised Wagner to be ready for anything.
"You never know what your day is going to be," she said. "You never know the phone call that you get, the email you receive or who walks through that door."
Wagner said she is excited and nervous to step into a new role with a new team.
"That would be something I'm looking forward to - new people coming in, but at the same time it's going to be one of our challenges," Wagner said.
After leading her first board meetings in January, Wagner will continue to focus on event planning for 2025, which is a bit behind schedule.
"The first of this year, we'll hit the ground running," she said.
The mom of four kid ages 21, 16, 14 and 12 said she hopes to follow Field's example when it comes to keeping things moving.
" 'Let's get this off our plate' is something she always says and she keeps things moving along. That is something I have been trying to learn and pick up and get better at over my last three years here," Wagner said.
Like Field, Wagner enjoys the relationships she's established with chamber members.
"I'm glad to be here - and I don't intend on leaving unless they kick me out," she said.
