Jim Dantona President and CEO

jim@slochamber.org (805) 786-2761

Jim Dantona joins the Chamber of Commerce with more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sector helping businesses grow and create jobs. His private sector leadership experience combined with his knowledge of how government operates makes Jim uniquely qualified to lead our Chamber of Commerce organization.

Over the past decade, Jim has served in executive staff positions for three Los Angeles City Council members, including chief of staff for Councilwoman Nury Martinez and for Councilman Tony Cardenas. He also served as interim chief of staff and senior planning deputy for Councilwoman Wendy Greuel. These roles gave Jim the opportunity to become a leader on economic development policy and to establish links with the private sector.

Jim’s extensive private sector experience focused on helping businesses grow and create jobs. As director of legislative affairs for Auto Parkit, he worked with government agencies to facilitate construction projects that created hundreds of new jobs. As human resources manager for Encino-based Westrec Marinas, Jim dealt with government regulations at all levels. And as property controller for Lake Natoma Inn, he managed large payrolls and the company budget.

Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in government from California State University, Sacramento. Before moving to the Central Coast, he and his wife Jennifer spent the last 25 years visiting and falling in love with the SLO community and are excited to now call it home.

Kaila Anderson Director of Membership

kaila@slochamber.org (805) 786-2774

Kaila Anderson joined SLO Chamber’s membership relations team in Nov. 2018 working to solicit new members, and to service and retain current members.

With a background in marketing and economics from Cal Poly, Kaila most recently served as director of marketing and communications for the Economic Vitality Corporation. In that capacity, she led a rebrand of the organization and collaborated with business and local government on policy and program development. Her position exposed her to the big picture issues that affect our local economy, including housing, infrastructure and workforce development.

When she’s not out and about with the business community, you can find Kaila playing golf, hiking or most importantly, cheering on the San Francisco Giants.

Dan Rivoire Executive Director for Leadership Development

dan@slochamber.org (805) 786-2765

Dan Rivoire joins the Chamber as Executive Director for Leadership Development with extensive experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors of the economy. He spent the last three years in the role of Vice President of Wholesale and Organizational Development at iFixit preceded by four years serving as Council Member Elect with the City of San Luis Obispo and seven years as Executive Director of Bike SLO County.

Dan was born in Chicago, moved to SLO in 2003 to attend Cal Poly and quickly developed strong connections to local causes. He strives to improve local quality of life by promoting active living, bringing a new perspective to city government, and fighting for a more inclusive community.

Unless he’s out having fun playing hockey, surfing, or rolling around on his mountain bike, you’ll probably find him in the garden or kitchen, whipping up meals for the family. Dan lives in San Luis Obispo with his partner Megan and daughters, Veona and Antonia.

Michelle Axberg Membership Experience Manager

michelle@slochamber.org (805) 786-2766

Michelle Axberg joined the Chamber in 2013 and currently works with Kaila Anderson in securing new membership sales and ensuring that new members know how to utilize all of the marketing opportunities the Chamber provides to help promote, support and network their business. She also provides key, behind-the-scenes logistics support for the Good Morning SLO program and other Chamber events to make sure they are relevant and impactful.

Michelle is originally from Santa Clarita and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from San Diego State University with an emphasis in advertising and a minor in psychology.

She has an extensive background in sales starting with retail management out of college, 11 years at Kodak Office Imaging in Los Angeles and a ten-year stint at The Tribune.

Her partner Patrick, son Logan and two cats make up her family unit. She enjoys walking the hills around the Cal Poly campus, shell hunting at the beach, baking her famous Kentucky Butter Cake and is a lifelong fan of the LA Dodgers.

 

Lori Bjorklund-Silva Director of Business Operations

lori@slochamber.org (805) 786-2772

Lori Bjorklund-Silva has been with the Chamber since 2005, most recently in the role of director of business operations. Lori spends most of her time managing and updating the Chamber’s member database, creating new member profiles and keeping information current for our Membership Directory, Visitors Guide and online listings.

Lori handles the registration for all Chamber events, such as Good Morning SLO, Insight Studios and Legislative series. Along with managing registration, member accounts, Lori is the lead contact for questions regarding billing and membership listing updates. Her work helps ensure that the Chamber is a vibrant, member-based and member-responsive organization.

Born and raised in SLO, Lori is a fifth-generation resident. Married to high school sweet-heart, Mike, Lori’s family includes son, Dylan, daughter Kailyn and “favorite” son-in-law, Cole. Family is her passion—she is thrilled to be grandma of two and an auntie to one nephew and two nieces. Lori feels lucky to live just 10 minutes from the beach, and she is proud to be a graduate of Leadership SLO, Class XX.

Charlene Rosales Interim Director of Governmental Affairs

charlene@slochamber.org (805) 786-2767

Charlene Rosales supports the development of policy positions and Chamber advocacy on relevant community issues affecting business success. In her role, she oversees the Chamber’s roster of over 80 volunteers for the Economic Development and Legislative Action Committees and its Business & Economic Council, in addition to leading legislative events such as the annual State of the State, the Central Coast Housing Summit and candidate forums.

Prior to re-joining the Chamber team in 2023, Charlene was the Director of Governmental Affairs from 2013-2018, the Economic Development Manager at the City of San Luis Obispo, Program Director at the Women’s Business Center and COO of United Way of SLO County. She served three years as chair of the City of SLO’s Human Relations Commission and was a member of the City’s original Economic Development Strategic Plan steering committee. She is a past award recipient of The Tribune’s “Top 20 Under 40” and KSBY’s 2022 “Women Who Soar”, and is a graduate of Leadership SLO Class XII and Leadership California in 2013.

Charlene is passionate about volunteer service and civic participation and has a long history of being deeply involved in the community. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Community Board of French Hospital Medical Center, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Central Coast California, the Rotary Club of SLO Daybreak, and SESLOC Credit Union. She is chair of the Community Benefits Committee for Dignity Health, a member of the League of Women Voters as well as the Advisory Board for the University of Santa Barbara’s Women in Leadership Executive Program, and Co-Chair for the Community Foundation of SLO County’s Women’s Legacy Fund Advisory Committee.

Hollie West Director of Communications

hollie@slochamber.org (805) 786-2777

Hollie West joined the Chamber communications team in 2022. With a background in local nonprofit work, Hollie approaches the world with a communications-driven lens and a passion for equity. She spent the previous four years at RISE and Lumina Alliance and has lived in San Luis Obispo since 2015.

Hollie received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Cal Poly with a minor in Women’s & Gender Studies. She is passionate about living the SLO lifestyle, and in her free time, expect to find her experimenting in the kitchen, traveling, reading in the sunshine, and finding new hiking trails with her dog and partner.

Rani Shah Communications Coordinator

rani@slochamber.org 805-786-2773

Rani Shah joined the Chamber in July 2023. She has worn several hats throughout her life in SLO County, starting after she graduated from Cal Poly in 1996 with a degree in Recreation Administration. She’s worked with the City, to the County, several non-profits, local businesses and established online companies, and is filled with gratitude to be working, living, learning and sharing on the Central Coast.

Always thinking with creativity in mind, she enjoys writing and various arts as hobbies and finding ways to infuse them into the workspaces to increase productivity and balance. When not at work, she can be found improving her home with her partner, crafting and painting with their daughters and out and about with their family dog, Slider.

Christina Lefevre Latner Workforce Development Manager

Christina Lefevre Latner joined the Chamber team in October 2021 with the goal of using her impressive background in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to guide her as she implements the SLO County Family Friendly Workplaces Program. 

Christina lectured part-time at Cal Poly for six years in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department and has worked as a consultant for numerous Central Coast organizations, such as First 5 San Luis Obispo County, the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County, CAPSLO, and the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.  

 Overall, Christina has more than twenty years of experience providing direct services, developing and implementing programs, promoting outreach, performing evaluations and conducting policy analysis. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with concentrations in gerontology and nonprofit administration from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in public policy with an emphasis in social policy and health from Cal Poly. 

 Christina and her husband have two children, and their favorite family activity is traveling and exploring new places like New York City, Mexico, Spain and Italy.  

Rachel Whalen Workforce Development Coordinator

rachel@slochamber.org (805) 786-2763

Rachel Whalen joined the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce in 2023 and will be spearheading the SLO Onboarding Assistance Resources (SOAR) Program, which aims to help out-of-area new hires of local businesses integrate into the community by providing them with the resources and support they need to feel at home in San Luis Obispo. 

Rachel has lived on the Central Coast since she was four and has always had a deep connection with this area. After graduating from Cal Poly in 2019, she worked as a Quality Analyst for five Central Coast hospitals for two years. Eager to explore and discover more of herself and the world around her, Rachel took a year off to travel and immerse herself in nature. She spent three months in Costa Rica attending a yoga teacher training and exploring the local culture, followed by many months of venturing throughout the West Coast.  Her deep love for the Central Coast fuels her passion for helping new community members feel that they are home here in San Luis Obispo. 

Jessica Blanco Visitor Center Manager

Jessica Blanco joined the Chamber in December 2023. She’s a dynamic and accomplished professional with a passion for hospitality and a heart dedicated to service. With a wealth of experience in the Events and Hospitality industry, Jessica has honed exceptional customer service skills that set her apart in the field. Her journey includes being a professional makeup artist and owning her own Spa in Grover Beach.  She mastered the intricacies of business engagement and client relationships while managing The Launch Pad co-workspace. She also spearheaded workforce development and social media initiatives with the City of Grover Beach that have left a lasting impact during her time with the South County Chambers of Commerce.

When not at work you can find Jessica around Arroyo Grande sipping a chai latte at a local coffee shop , attending a local concert, or having a beach day with her husband Eric Blanco, son Jaydeen and pup Roxy.