After 30 years of policy leadership, Betsy Bishop has announced her departure from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. A leadership transition for the organization is set for summer 2024. During her 15 years as the President, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has become the most influential business advocacy organization in the state.

Bishop has dedicated her career to the Vermont business community. Her advocacy work has been vital to the promotion and advancement of policies that spur economic development and create jobs statewide. Bringing innovative direction to the Vermont Chamber, Bishop has built a lobbying powerhouse to ensure policy leaders consider advancing the Vermont economy in their actions. She is also the founder of the Vermont Futures Project, a foundation focused on creating an economic action plan for the state based on data, research, and education.

“Betsy has been a driving force behind the advancement of Vermont’s economy,” said Tom Dunn, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and CEO of VELCO. “Her vision and leadership have been crucial in supporting the growth of Vermont’s business community, and she has been instrumental in making Vermont an attractive destination for businesses and workforce. We are deeply grateful for her dedication and contributions to the Vermont Chamber and the state.”

Under Bishop’s leadership, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce has also been recognized for its outstanding work partnering with the Declaration of Inclusion initiative, exposing the workforce gap, and strengthening the manufacturing and hospitality sectors. Her guidance was invaluable to the Vermont business community throughout the healthcare transition of 2014, Tropical Storm Irene, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2023 summer floods.

“I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved together at the Vermont Chamber of Commerce,” said Bishop. “It has been an honor to serve Vermont’s business community and work alongside so many talented and committed individuals. I have worked on Vermont policy for more than three decades and had the opportunity to shape Vermont’s direction on workforce development, healthcare, taxation, housing, energy, and more. I’m eager to see the Vermont Chamber of Commerce continue to flourish under new leadership.”

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce will create a committee to conduct a broad search for a new leader who has strong communications and operations skills, policy knowledge, a core belief in economic success, and solid Vermont connections.