As Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly Kern has spearheaded Chamber advocacy, promoted business priorities in policy and worked collaboratively alongside countless Chamber and community members to make our region a better place to live, work and play since 2018. She has been integral at the SLO Chamber in various roles since 2012, and has announced she will be ending her strong and impactful tenure after nearly 10 years to join the leadership of the SLO Food Bank.
“As someone who grew up in this community and this organization, Molly has built deep relationships and understands the many challenges that our community faces,” said Jim Dantona, SLO Chamber President/CEO. “Our business community has benefited greatly from the roles that Molly has served in the Chamber, but none more than as Director of Governmental Affairs. Her advocacy on behalf of the business community will leave a lasting legacy that we look forward to building upon.”
Molly was a key player in launching Imagine SLO, our economic vision that serves as a guide for decision-making, resource investment, and long-term strategic planning. She wove the seven pillars of Imagine SLO into policy and program development, continuously uplifting our mission and values.
As Director of Governmental Affairs, Molly worked with three critical Chamber advisory bodies —Economic Development and Legislative Action Committees and Business & Economic Council, as well as numerous task forces — to guide the understanding of policy and development of positions on issues critical to our community and economic vitality. Her lead on these committees has brought diverse voices to the table, empowering members to be more involved and effective in local politics. In the past few years alone, the SLO Chamber has successfully advocated for:
- Housing policies that will allow for the creation of both market-rate and affordable homes.
- The passage of Measure G which has already resulted in expanded investment in infrastructure development and maintenance, direct investment in local businesses and preserving open space.
- Policies that advance climate action through careful stewardship of resources and embracing new technologies to sustain our quality of life for generations to come.
- Unprecedented support for working families, including funding for child care startups and the development of the Chamber’s Family-Friendly Workplace program.
- The initiation and formalization of a parklet program that advances a more vibrant downtown and serves both businesses with parklets and their neighbors.
- Direct business support during Covid-19.
- The extension of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant’s life to ensure a successful transition to clean energy without overwhelming our grid
“I have been incredibly lucky to learn from and work with dedicated members, elected officials, community leaders and a Chamber team that believe in rolling up their sleeves to do the gritty, intentional work of turning our economic vision into a reality,” Molly said. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished together.”
Advocacy is a key pillar of what we do here at the SLO Chamber, and we look forward to continuing to be at the forefront of the sometimes challenging discussions that shape the place we love. By tenaciously advocating for the needs of businesses and their employees, we can increase economic opportunity throughout the region—and improve our community’s overall wellbeing.
Your involvement is crucial in our advocacy work and now is the time to get involved. All SLO Chamber members are invited to apply for a role on one of our Chamber committees and help shape Chamber positions, engage other members and be part of the conversation. Committee applications for 2023 are due no later than Friday, November 18.
With Molly’s departure, we are starting to search for a dedicated and proactive person to continue the Chamber’s advocacy work as Director of Governmental Affairs. Are you passionate about policy, organized, adaptable, and can quickly see connections between different issues? View the job description and learn more about becoming a part of the SLO Chamber team.