After 30 years of policy leadership, and 15 years as president, Betsy Bishop has announced her departure from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. A leadership transition for the organization is set for summer 2024.
Under her leadership, the Chamber has built a lobbying presence to ensure policy leaders consider advancing the Vermont economy in their actions. She is also the founder of the Vermont Futures Project, a foundation focused on creating an economic action plan for the state based on data, research, and education.
Under Bishop’s leadership, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the Declaration of Inclusion initiative, exposing the workforce gap, and strengthening the manufacturing and hospitality sectors. She helped guide the Vermont business community throughout the healthcare transition of 2014, Tropical Storm Irene, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 summer floods.
“I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved together at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce,” said Bishop. “It has been an honor to serve Vermont’s business community and work alongside so many talented and committed individuals. I have worked on Vermont policy for more than three decades and had the opportunity to shape Vermont’s direction on workforce development, healthcare, taxation, housing, energy, and more. I’m eager to see the Vermont Chamber of Commerce continue to flourish under new leadership.”
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce will create a committee to conduct a broad search for a new leader who has strong communications and operations skills, policy knowledge, a core belief in economic success, and solid Vermont connections.