Post Road Feature Business!
The North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce is buzzing with excitement as it welcomes its dynamic new leader, Maria Masse! Known for her exceptional experience in non-profit leadership and arts management, Maria is ready to bring a fresh, invigorating energy to the Chamber, seamlessly blending respect for its rich history with bold new ideas.
Maria’s appointment marks a thrilling new era for the Chamber. With her ‘can-do’ attitude and innovative approach, she’s not here to reinvent the wheel—she’s here to make it spin true! “I don’t want to reinvent the wheel,” Maria says. “I want to invest time into seeing what’s worked and if something has worked, maybe revisit it rather than start from scratch.”
A proud Colby College alumna with a Bachelor of Arts, Maria has spent her career energizing community development and the arts. Her early work involved bringing people together for causes she deeply cares about. “I enjoyed that people who had common interests could get together for a cause, raise funds, raise awareness,” she recalls. “I found that I really like engaging with members of a community, finding out what their interests are, and kind of building programs around them.”
This passion for bringing people together also culminated a wonderful new hire at the Chamber who is eager and ready to serve our wonderful North Kingstown community. Lauren Keathley, the new Office Manager, started in December 2023. With a background in human resources from Rhode Island School of Design she has an amazing ability to track, understand, and utilize analytics. She also happens to be the leading force on grants that the Chamber provides for workforce development and for business improvements. Lauren works closely with business members overseeing registrations for networking events; publishing the weekly digital email blast that goes out it its 2500+ subscribers and keeping the visitor center packed with interesting information for travelers and locals who may want to learn more about the area or share new discoveries with children or grandchildren who may be visiting. When not at work she is pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at UMASS.
Much like her staff, Maria has also pursued post graduate courses to enhance her skillset further. She holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the prestigious University of Washington. She put her skills into action by co-chairing various committees at her son’s school, organizing academic and speaker programs, and rallying support for special projects. Her involvement with Meals on Wheels and her role as a philanthropy officer at a large nonprofit underscored her passion for fostering connections and collaboration in the communities she calls home and beyond.
Maria’s recent role as Director of the Wickford Art Association gave her invaluable insight into North Kingstown’s unique spirit and artistic community. This experience deepened her commitment to engaging with the town and enhancing its vibrant cultural scene, because in many ways it reminded her of home, and her background having grown up in a similarly small historic and beautiful town on the water north of Boston.
Under this new direction and leadership, the Chamber is set to continue and expand its efforts as a vibrant hub for local businesses and stakeholders starting with a series of exciting community-building events that are sure to spark enthusiasm and foster connections. Look forward to a new speaker series, lively monthly coffee talks, skill-refreshing courses, and even consider utilizing the Chamber’s conference room for whatever the next meeting your passion project entails—under Maria’s new vision there is a desire to make the Chamber into a hustling and bustling community center where everyone stands to benefit, and great ideas and passions can be shared. With such a receptive and involved staff, who knows maybe your next dream idea for the community can become a reality with their help and resources.
Maria’s passion for a bustling, engaged Chamber is infectious. “I see a lot of passion and pride amongst people [in North Kingstown]. It’s a community by choice, and people are here because they love it!” Her vision blends the best of past successes with exciting innovations and an ear that is open to both members and non-members alike ensuring the Chamber remains a powerful force for progress.
As we step into this thrilling new chapter with Maria Masse leading the way, the future looks incredibly bright. With her blend of experience, creativity, and community focus, the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce is poised to soar to new heights, enriching our town and energizing our business community like never before!
You don’t want to miss the “Savor the Sunset” event, held under the shade of the second oldest Elm tree in Rhode Island on grounds that overlook Narragansett Bay. Held September 17, 2024, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Hopelands by the Bay—this marks the perfect opportunity to meet Maria and the new Chamber team while enjoying a fantastic time. Local Rhode Island artisan vendors will be bringing farm to table bites to sample and enjoy. Beverages will range from refreshments created by local distilleries and breweries to tried and true classics like the local fan favorite Del’s Lemonade. What better way could there be to celebrate the end of the summer harvest season outdoors with friends, future friends and business representatives from the area alike! All set to the soothing tune of relaxing acoustic background music that along with the sounds of happy conversation is sure to waft over Narragansett Bay!
Contact Information:
North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce
Address: 8405 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI, 02852
Phone: 401-295-5566
Email: info@northkingstown.com
Hours: Monday - Friday
9AM-4PM