Lisa Konicki, President of the OCEAN COMMUNITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and THE OCEAN COMMUNITY CHAMBER FOUNDATION

Creative thinking, paired with a results-driven attitude keeps Lisa Konicki, president of the OCEAN COMMUNITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and THE OCEAN COMMUNITY CHAMBER FOUNDATION fresh in a role she’s had for nearly 30 years. Signature Westerly productions such as Virtu Art Festival, Riverglow, the Pawcatuck River Duck Race, and the Westerly Light Parade are all her initiatives and have evolved into time-honored community traditions. In neighboring Stonington, Lisa’s vision and determination led to the creation of the now world-famous Stonington Lobster Trap Tree.

“My position involves producing large scale community events that bolster the local economy and create a sense of pride,” Lisa begins. “I am also responsible for supporting, elevating, and servicing all businesses by providing money-saving benefits, marketing support, generating revenues through a gift certificate program, assisting with jobs creation and placement, promoting the tourism industry, and running the Town of Westerly tourist welcome center.”

With southern Rhode Island’s largest chamber turning 100, new initiatives fill Lisa’s calendar, with one-off spectacles in the works, like the Nutcracker Trail, where later this year, 100 six-foot custom-made artisan, musical nutcrackers will be on display in businesses. “And they light up!” says Lisa, just like a lightbulb that beams bright in her creative mind.

1 Chamber Way, Westerly,

401-596-7761, OceanChamber.org