Santa Rosa Metro Chamber Announces Interim CEO

The Santa Rosa Metro Chamber (SRMC) board of directors announced, unanimously, today the immediate appointment of Ananda Sweet as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as the organization begins a search for its next permanent leader. This comes after last week’s news about the departure of CEO, Peter Rumble. Rumble will be leaving the organization in September after nearly seven years and will fill the position of CEO for the Napa County Farm Bureau. Sweet and Rumble will work alongside each other through August to help ensure a smooth transition.

Sweet has been with SRMC since November 2016 and has served as the organization’s Vice President of Public Policy and Workforce Development for nearly eight years.

“Ananda is a proven leader who brings a deep understanding of SRMC’s mission to the role of Interim CEO,” said Chamber Board Chair Lisa Wittke Schaffner, CEO of the North Coast Builders Exchange. “In addition to her knowledge of public policy and workforce initiatives, she has built relationships with key figures in our community including business leaders and elected officials at the local, county, state and federal levels. She has helped to put the Chamber on the map with all her successes.”

Outgoing CEO Peter Rumble added, “I am extremely happy the Board has made this choice. Ananda has been one of my most trusted and thoughtful partners during my time with the Chamber, she is a wonderful leader, is respected in the community, and is dedicated to the mission of the Chamber. Truly, there couldn’t be a better person to step into this role.”

Under Sweet’s leadership, SRMC has created tremendous benefits for its members and the community. Some of those accomplishments include:

Creating an Employee Supported Child Care program which is being used as a prototype for businesses and organizations across the country. Ananda has been invited to the White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the California Forward Economic Summit to share the work of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber and make that case that child care is an economic development issue.
Drafted a Family-Friendly Policy toolkit and consulting system to support employers and employees during the pandemic and beyond with actionable programs that produce a return on investment for employers and support working families.
Spearheaded the Metro Chamber’s advocacy efforts in studying, analyzing and establishing policy, in tandem with the Board of Directors, on government issues and legislation affecting businesses and the community. As part of this work, Sweet created the organization’s State and Local Policy Platform as a guide to inform communication with elected leaders and members, and to guide engagement on community efforts.
Grown the Mike Hauser Academy for STEM, which connects recent eighth grade graduates with engineers and professionals from local companies to observe demonstrations and participate in direct learning experiences and practical applications for STEM concepts as part of a collaborative effort to increase academic achievement and inspire students to pursue their dream careers.
Guided the Leadership Santa Rosa program, a leadership development curriculum that many call a “Master’s Degree in Sonoma County,” that helps develop individual leadership styles and fosters collaboration in resolving community challenges.

In addition to taking on several new programs and initiatives, Sweet serves on a number of boards and committees including Sonoma County Workforce Investment Board, U.S. Chamber Early Childhood Education task force, and serving as President of Our Kids, Our Future.

"I'm honored to step into the role of interim CEO for this incredible organization,” said Ananda Sweet. “Our work for our members and the community is absolutely critical, and I have a deep and unwavering belief in our mission. I am immensely grateful to the Chamber board of directors for their trust in me and for their support in this transition. I am committed to ensuring continuity and supporting our members and the Chamber team as we continue the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber’s essential work.”