About the Chamber

 

What We Do:
The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce is proud to be a leader in the following areas:

• Support Local Business
  • We are a catalyst for change and overcoming roadblocks by connecting local leaders and influencers in business and government
• Unite the Community
  • We provide many platforms for our members to make meaningful connections and support each other
• Take Action
  • We advocate for policies and form strategic partnerships that benefit our businesses and community to tackle our community's most challenging issues

Click here to view our organization chart 

History:
The San Rafael Chamber is a 501c(6) corporation that was founded in 1920. The San Rafael Chamber has provided a legacy of leadership in San Rafael and Marin County for more than 90 years. Throughout its rich history the San rafael Chamber has served as a key organization in the foundation and sustainability of a strong local economy. The Chamber serves its members and the community with a volunteer Board of Directors and professional staff of employees and consultants. 

 

​Our Team

 

Joanne Webster, President, and CEO

E-mail: jwebster@srchamber.com
Phone 415-454-4163  ext. 101

Born and raised in Massachusetts. Lived in California since 1985.

Joanne was appointed President and CEO and took office on May 1, 2014. Prior to her appointment, Joanne was the Director of Marketing and Community Promotion. Joanne’s skills include strategic planning, marketing, and public relations, budgeting, community outreach, volunteer leadership, team building, board development, membership, and program and event implementation. Her specialties include business advocacy, connecting leaders and influencers, and building coalitions.

Joanne has been working in and serving San Rafael for over 30 years and is a strong advocate for local businesses. She has over 20 years’ experience in small business as the sole proprietor of Double Rainbow Cafe, San Rafael, and 10 years’ experience in downtown business management as the Director of the San Rafael Business Improvement District, prior to joining the San Rafael Chamber in 2011. She has assisted in Mayoral and City Council races; is a current Board member of the Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau, Marin History Museum, and the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay. She is an active member of Keep Marin Working, Healthy Marin Partnerships, Housing Crisis Action, and a graduate of the San Rafael Leadership Institute.

For three decades Joanne has been an active member of the San Rafael and Marin business community, winning Small Business of the Year and the Spirit of Marin Award in 1998 and 2008. 

Joanne has an outgoing personality and a vast personal and professional network including key local leaders and government officials in San Rafael and Marin. Joanne is a trusted and respected voice in the community with an exceptional work ethic and integrity. She is a dynamic and personable community leader with a focus on client relations. Joanne has built strong and reliant business relationships and is a great connector of people. Joanne has exceptional customer service skills; including the ability to interact with all types of members and individuals and Joanne is an outstanding team builder. She brings enthusiasm, creativity, political savvy, and determination to all that she does. 

Joanne lives in Fairfax with her husband Charlie Garfink and they have two daughters; Anna and Meghan. She enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and yoga.

 

 

Leslie Piper, Director, Communications & Events 

Email: lpiper@srchamber.com
Phone 415-454-4163 ext. 103

Leslie joined the San Rafael Chamber team in December 2016 as the event coordinator for the San Rafael Leadership Institute and the Women of Industry events.  Currently, Leslie oversees all Chamber communication and manages Chamber events and programs and is also involved with Membership development.  

Leslie brings over 20 years of experience in B2B sales, advertising, and marketing to the role. As a native of Iowa, she moved to California in 1985, but is a Midwesterner at heart, striving to find the silver lining in difficult situations. Leslie has a BA in Communication from California State University, Fullerton. 

Leslie lives in San Rafael with her husband and two children. When she's not working, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking/running the hills of Marin, stand-up paddle boarding, and spending time with family and friends.  

 

Carolyn Bopp, Director, Member Relations & Programs

E-mail: carolyn@srchamber.com
Phone 415-454-4163 ext. 108

As Office Manager and Membership Administrator, Carolyn joined the San Rafael Chamber in January2018.  In 2021, she was promoted to Director, Member Relations and Programs overseeing member development and managing the San Rafael Leadership Institute and programs for the Education Committee.  Originally from Munich, Carolyn came to San Francisco in 1993 where she worked in the advertising industry as a strategic planner. In 2000, she made the move into market research and relocated to Marin County. She worked as a focus group moderator until 2003. Starting in 2013, she worked in membership at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin. 

Carolyn has an MA in Communication Science from Ludwig Maximilian’s University in Munich. She lives in Novato with her daughter and Penny, her dachshund.

Our Consultants

Black Lamb Media, Jennifer Bellingham

Role: Video, Graphic Design, Marketing

 

jennifer@blacklambmediall.com

(415)- 843-1728

Creative Lead and CEO, Jennifer Bellingham, is the "Black Lamb" in Black Lamb Media. She immigrated to the United States from the United Kingdom at a young age, was raised in a mixed-race family, and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. When Jennifer graduated from university, she made the bold decision to build her own media company.

Needless to say, Jennifer always felt she was going against the grain; however, "Black Lamb's" don't do it alone. Just as she had people and businesses in her life to support her, she now is dedicated to helping and telling the stories of brave businesses with strong values that aim to make a positive difference in this world.

Franz Bookkeeping, Sarah Franz

Role: Bookkeeping and Financial reporting

finance@srchamber.com

(415)- 454-4163

Assisting clients in all aspects of accounting in order to help them better manage their businesses. Clients range from non-profits and Chambers of Commerce to businesses in real estate, marketing, coaching, personal services and retail.

Strategic32, Joshua Townsend

Role: Governmental Affairs

jtownsend@32strategic.com

(415) 910-0464

Joshua Townsend brings nearly two decades of public and private experience in leading specialized teams to engage communities to find success. His diverse expertise includes strategic outreach, marketing, governmental affairs, and crisis communication. He has trained and mentored staffs that are innovative in driving messages as well as its problem-solving ability. He has cultivated relationships through partnerships with non-profit organizations, government and corporate clients while serving on a number of business organizations Board of Directors.