By Hannah Dannenfelser, Arlington Community Federal Credit Union
The Ambassador Committee works to strengthen the Chamber membership by making every member feel welcome at Chamber events and encouraging them to become involved. This amazing group of volunteers are the first Chamber members many of us meet, and are always friendly faces throughout our memberships.
All new members are given an Ambassador to the Chamber when they first join. Our Ambassador Committee looks to reach out to new members in their first year, serving as an additional resource as long time Chamber members. Ambassadors serve as a trusted voice to new members on how to maximize the Chamber membership, based on the objectives of the new member, and also look to greet new members at upcoming Chamber events.
To get to know your Ambassadors better, we present Hannah Dannenfelser, community involvement ambassador at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union.
The Ambassador Committee works to strengthen the Chamber membership by making every member feel welcome at Chamber events and encouraging them to become involved. This amazing group of volunteers are the first Chamber members many of us meet, and are always friendly faces throughout our memberships.
All new members are given an Ambassador to the Chamber when they first join. Our Ambassador Committee looks to reach out to new members in their first year, serving as an additional resource as long time Chamber members. Ambassadors serve as a trusted voice to new members on how to maximize the Chamber membership, based on the objectives of the new member, and also look to greet new members at upcoming Chamber events.
To get to know your Ambassadors better, we present Hannah Dannenfelser, community involvement ambassador at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union.
What is your current job?
I’m the Community Involvement Ambassador at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. My role is to help the credit union better serve and support our local community by collaborating with our community partners.
What are some of the previous jobs or positions that you’ve held?
Prior to working at the credit union, I was a staff member at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce! I’m your inside scoop having worn both the staff and member hat. Before that, I was working with Special Needs Trust Funds for people with disabilities. I always say that some of my best professional development experiences were working in the restaurant and bar industry for more than six years.
How long have you been a member of the Chamber?
I started as a staff member at the Chamber in early 2015, and officially became a member when I started working at the credit union in late 2017.
What do you hope to accomplish as a Chamber Ambassador?
I want to connect with area businesses and help them thrive through the Chamber. As an Ambassador, I can help them leverage their membership to meet business goals!
What do you think makes someone a good Ambassador?
Chamber Ambassadors are dedicated to supporting a diverse, thriving, and connected business community. We have a commitment to supporting the Chamber and its membership, while at the same time representing our own organizations.
What events do you participate in as a Chamber Ambassador?
I try to attend as many Chamber events as possible, but my favorites are the Arlington Business Gala and Cards & Clubs. Both are great ways to have high-level networking in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is very welcoming and at ease, which lends itself to productive and fruitful connections. Plus it’s a great time with wonderful Chamber friends (old and new!).
What is your favorite part of being a Chamber Ambassador?
The Chamber offers so many amazing opportunities and it can be a lot to take in. I love when I can help a member be targeted in their approach. It’s exciting to see the light bulbs go off when a new member sees the most effective ways to gain value for their business through the Chamber. It’s that moment when they realize, “Wow, I’ve really come to the right place.”
How has being a Chamber Ambassador impacted you?
Being on the Ambassador Committee helps me feel like I have the inside scoop on what new businesses are starting up, or the goals of existing businesses. Plus, I met my Realtor, Donna Hamaker, when she was Chair of the Ambassador Committee! Now I’m a happy Arlington condo owner and Donna was my rock throughout the process.
Why did you decide to become a Chamber Ambassador?
I loved being a Chamber staff member because of the amazing colleagues and members I was able to connect with. I knew that this would be a great opportunity to support the Chamber, stay engaged with friends, AND learn about even more new people and businesses.
How else are you involved with the Arlington community?
My role at the Credit Union allows me to be very involved! Within the Chamber, I’m a member of the Community Action Committee and have helped with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). I’m a graduate and Class Ambassador for the Leadership Center for Excellence’s Young Professional Program (YPP) Spring 2017 Class and heavily engaged in the YPP alumni efforts with other Class Ambassadors. I also serve on the Young Professional Advisory Committee for Volunteer Arlington and am a member of the Board of the Arlington Committee of 100. I’m part of the Community Progress Network with non-profit leaders, staffed by the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. I regularly try to volunteer with various local non-profits when I can be a helpful hand. I love that my work keeps me consistently engaged with Arlington Public Schools in a lot of different ways.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am a born and raised Arlingtonian, so I am lucky to be able to spend a lot of time with my great networks of friends and family here. I’m very close to my parents, two little brothers, and two little sisters, so I spend a lot of time hanging out with them. I also have a large extended family (a couple hundred aunts/uncles/cousins/in-laws) and do my best to keep up with as many as possible. My family is a lot of fun!
I’m the Community Involvement Ambassador at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union. My role is to help the credit union better serve and support our local community by collaborating with our community partners.
What are some of the previous jobs or positions that you’ve held?
Prior to working at the credit union, I was a staff member at the Arlington Chamber of Commerce! I’m your inside scoop having worn both the staff and member hat. Before that, I was working with Special Needs Trust Funds for people with disabilities. I always say that some of my best professional development experiences were working in the restaurant and bar industry for more than six years.
How long have you been a member of the Chamber?
I started as a staff member at the Chamber in early 2015, and officially became a member when I started working at the credit union in late 2017.
What do you hope to accomplish as a Chamber Ambassador?
I want to connect with area businesses and help them thrive through the Chamber. As an Ambassador, I can help them leverage their membership to meet business goals!
What do you think makes someone a good Ambassador?
Chamber Ambassadors are dedicated to supporting a diverse, thriving, and connected business community. We have a commitment to supporting the Chamber and its membership, while at the same time representing our own organizations.
What events do you participate in as a Chamber Ambassador?
I try to attend as many Chamber events as possible, but my favorites are the Arlington Business Gala and Cards & Clubs. Both are great ways to have high-level networking in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Everyone is very welcoming and at ease, which lends itself to productive and fruitful connections. Plus it’s a great time with wonderful Chamber friends (old and new!).
What is your favorite part of being a Chamber Ambassador?
The Chamber offers so many amazing opportunities and it can be a lot to take in. I love when I can help a member be targeted in their approach. It’s exciting to see the light bulbs go off when a new member sees the most effective ways to gain value for their business through the Chamber. It’s that moment when they realize, “Wow, I’ve really come to the right place.”
How has being a Chamber Ambassador impacted you?
Being on the Ambassador Committee helps me feel like I have the inside scoop on what new businesses are starting up, or the goals of existing businesses. Plus, I met my Realtor, Donna Hamaker, when she was Chair of the Ambassador Committee! Now I’m a happy Arlington condo owner and Donna was my rock throughout the process.
Why did you decide to become a Chamber Ambassador?
I loved being a Chamber staff member because of the amazing colleagues and members I was able to connect with. I knew that this would be a great opportunity to support the Chamber, stay engaged with friends, AND learn about even more new people and businesses.
How else are you involved with the Arlington community?
My role at the Credit Union allows me to be very involved! Within the Chamber, I’m a member of the Community Action Committee and have helped with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!). I’m a graduate and Class Ambassador for the Leadership Center for Excellence’s Young Professional Program (YPP) Spring 2017 Class and heavily engaged in the YPP alumni efforts with other Class Ambassadors. I also serve on the Young Professional Advisory Committee for Volunteer Arlington and am a member of the Board of the Arlington Committee of 100. I’m part of the Community Progress Network with non-profit leaders, staffed by the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. I regularly try to volunteer with various local non-profits when I can be a helpful hand. I love that my work keeps me consistently engaged with Arlington Public Schools in a lot of different ways.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am a born and raised Arlingtonian, so I am lucky to be able to spend a lot of time with my great networks of friends and family here. I’m very close to my parents, two little brothers, and two little sisters, so I spend a lot of time hanging out with them. I also have a large extended family (a couple hundred aunts/uncles/cousins/in-laws) and do my best to keep up with as many as possible. My family is a lot of fun!
RSS Feed
