North Bay Woman

32 NORTH BAY WOMAN S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 1 careers end when they have children, and because of my mom, that has never been the case in my eyes." It turns out, Webster, 59, had good role models too. When speak- ing of her parents, both in their 80s in Florida, she says her mother is unflaggingly positive, which was a good balance to Webster's "skep- tical" New England upbringing. Together her parents raised four children, Webster the only daugh- ter. Everyone pitched in for chores around the house when Webster was growing up. Her dad was very hard working and industrious, she says. "My father has an incredible work ethic; he equated success not with money but influence and that reso- nated with me," Webster says. The chamber CEO has built her success on relationships. She grew them through work experiences like her first job at a software engi- neering firm in Boston and years later, scooping mint chip with her husband in San Rafael. She also has been a leading advocate for downtown businesses, and is now running a chamber with local, coun- ty and statewide influence. The organization represents about 500 member businesses who employ 26,000 workers. "Joanne is good at what she does because it's personal," says state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healds- burg, who represents Marin County and the North Coast. "Marin Coun- ty is her home and she loves San Rafael. She's led the chamber with a steady hand through some of the toughest times we have faced. Joanne is a tireless champion for our small businesses, workforce housing and she's passionate about improving people's lives." THE 100-YEAR PIVOT The year 2020 was the centen- nial for the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. Webster, together Above: San Rafael Chamber CEO Joanne Webster on top of the AC Marriott Hotel under construction in downtown San Rafael. Below: Webster in the San Rafael Chamber offices. – Photos by Stuart Lirette

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