The San Rafael Chamber of Commerce will celebrate women in business at the Seventh Annual “Women of Industry” Luncheon and Marketplace, on Friday, November 15, at Embassy Suites in San Rafael. Since 2013, the Chamber has annually recognized a Marin Businesswoman who exemplifies extraordinary leadership in her industry. This year, the Chamber will honor Cynthia Murray, Executive Director of the North Bay Leadership Council. She is joined by 7 other exceptional industry and community leaders: Joan Capurro, Ann Brebner, Patty Garbarino, Melissa Prandi, Patricia Kendall, Mary Kay Sweeney and Stephanie Plante.
For the past 13 years, Murray has focused on a variety of public policy issues to help improve the quality of life for those she represents, which is over 25,000 employees from over 50 select employers in the North Bay. “Cynthia and I have been working very closely together this past year on workforce housing initiatives in Marin County ,” said Joanne Webster, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce President & CEO. “I am continually impressed with her passion and fortitude and inspired by her commitment to improve the lives of all. We are thrilled to be honoring her this year,” said Webster.
“Through all her community and public policy efforts, she has become a mentor and teacher to Chamber business leaders, women in business and young women just entering the workforce,” said Cynthia Gregory, San Rafael Chamber’s 2019/20 Women of Industry Co-Chair. “She’s an amazing force and one of the community’s most involved female leaders” said Gregory.
Prior to starting the North Bay Leadership Council, Murray served eight years on the Marin County Board of Supervisors and seven years on the Novato City Council, including one term as Mayor.
She received the 2010 Women in Business award from the North Bay Business Journal for her achievements in economic development.
Cynthia Murray serves on the boards of many organizations including the North Bay Life Science Alliance, Bay Area Council Economic Institute; First 5 Sonoma County Commission, Sonoma County Health Action Council, Healthy Marin Partnership, Marin School to Careers Partnership and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Policy Advisory Council. She brings together the public, nonprofit, education, and private industry sectors to help address and solve Marin’s most pressing issues, and is also deeply engaged and devotes her time to the Regional Economic Association Leaders Coalition, the Bay Area Council Economic Institute Board of Directors (19 years), as an Adjunct Professor at Dominican University, and currently also teaching MBA students at Sonoma State University, as well. She’s the Moderator and monthly Business Edge Briefings Breakfast at Dominican University.
The “Women of Industry” Luncheon and Marketplace is in recognition of all the successful Women Business Owners, Professionals and Entrepreneurs here in Marin County. This event draws over 300 professional women and men from the Marin business community. Proceeds of the event underwrite the event costs, as well as add to our “Women of Industry” Scholarship Fund. This fund was established to provide tuition fees for a deserving woman entrepreneur or small business owner to attend the San Rafael Leadership Institute. For more information and tickets, please visit
srchamber.com
