Advocating for area businesses: Chamber appoints new leader for organization – Albert Lea Tribune

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director with almost two decades of leadership in communications, digital marketing, media production and business development.

Valerie Lockhart started in the position Oct. 6 and has already jumped into the role with both feet as she prepares for the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday.

Lockhart said she is excited to bring her background in communications, technology and training to the chamber.

“My goal is to make sure our members receive real, measurable value, whether that’s through marketing support, educational opportunities or new ways to connect and collaborate. I’m looking forward to visiting businesses across Freeborn County to learn what support they are needing most.”

Lockhart moved to Hartland 2 1/2 years ago after living in Minneapolis her whole life.

“I was really looking for a change of pace,” she said. “It’s so nice to be in a place where people are friendly, it’s quiet, there’s so much beautiful nature. I just fell in love with this area.”

Lockhart has a background in small business and in supporting businesses and entrepreneurs.

“When I moved to town and saw this opportunity come up, it felt like a really good fit,” she said. “It hits on all my passions.”

She said for the last 12 years she has led nonprofit MN Women in Tech and has also spent 10 years leading the nonprofit MN Tech Network. She also teaches digital communications and AI courses for the University of Minnesota, helping professionals adapt to today’s fast-evolving digital landscape.

Fifteen years ago she started her own company called Ninja Media, a marketing firm that helps entrepreneurs and nonprofits tell their stories via video, the web and social media.

In her new position for two weeks, she said she and the board are looking at how they can build new engagement for members and make sure the value of the chamber is what it needs to be.

“The most important thing to me is I’m excited to meet people and connect with them,” she said. “If there’s things businesses need that they’re not getting, if there’s advocacy stuff we can do, that’s the kind of stuff I can dig into or that we want to know about.”

In addition, with how things are changing every day in business, she wants the chamber to be a source of information and support for business owners. She gave the example of being able to educate businesses on the new Minnesota Paid Leave law that goes into effect in January.

Lockhart joins new administrative assistant Belinda Alkula, who moved to Albert Lea with her husband last December from Colorado. Alkula said in the 27 years she has been married, she and her husband moved 17 times.

“Every time we moved, one of the first things we did was join the chamber of commerce, so we could quickly connect to our new hometown,” said Alkula, who started in her role in early September.

She said she considers it a privilege to work at the chamber and is happy to use her administrative skills to do what she can to help area businesses thrive.

The women will formally introduce themselves at the chamber banquet Tuesday night at Wedgewood Cove.

“I believe in the power of local business,” Lockhart said. “Our entrepreneurs and employers are the heartbeat of this community. The chamber’s role is to champion their success, and we’re ready to do just that.”