About the Chamber

 

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

• Strengthening the local economy
• Promoting and connecting the community
• Representing business to government
• Providing quality networking opportunities
• Political action

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 five. 

 

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.

 

Alan Aranha, Membership and Leaders Circle Director

 

 

 

 

 

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

Alan Aranha, has returned to our Chamber – where his heart belongs, helping local businesses. 20 years ago, he was the Vice President and then went on to be the Executive Director for the Novato Chamber, and serving on the boards. He then went on to Commercial banking, working at Large and Community banks for 16 years. Prior to moving to Marin, Alan lived and worked in the Silicon Valley as an Environmental Engineer and also owned his own business. So, at many levels, he understands the needs of local businesses and thrives on helping them.

He is a proud graduate of Leadership Palo Alto, San Rafael, and Novato. He would like to see all members, graduate from the program.

He lives in Santa Venetia with his wife Lindsay, and son Aaron-Andrew – a recent zoom graduate from Marin Catholic, and now a zoom freshman at Santa Clara University.

 

Leslie Piper, Program Manager

 

 

 

 

 

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

Leslie joined the San Rafael Chamber team in December 2016 to work on business development and manage the Leadership Institute.  Now she manages both the Women of Industry Luncheon and Marketplace event and the San Rafael Leadership Institute, while also working with Joanne and Leonard on business development initiatives.  

Leslie brings over 20 years of experience in B2B sales, advertising, and marketing to her new role. As a native of Iowa, she moved to California in 1985, but is a Midwesterner at heart and always strives to find the silver lining in even the most difficult situations. Leslie is a graduate of California State University Fullerton’s Communication program and enjoys helping people make connections in the community.

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

 

Carolyn Bopp, Office Manager

 

 

 

 

E-mail: frontdesk@srchamber.com
Phone 415-454-4163 ext. 102 

Carolyn started in February 2018 at the Chamber of Commerce as Office Manager and Membership Administrator. 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 Terra Linda with her daughter and Penny, her dachshund.