Rebecca Swanson Conrad, former L-A chamber head, on her new roles — and punk rock
Photo / Maureen Milliken
Rebecca Conrad, who ran the chamber in Lewiston-Auburn, will turn to consulting.
Rebecca Swanson Conrad resigned as president and CEO of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce in June, after a two-year tenure that included consolidating the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council into the chamber, reducing overhead and hosting the Top Gun contest.
Rebecca Conrad is now launching a consulting firm and focusing on some advocacy work. Mainebiz caught up with her recently.
Mainebiz: What prompted you to leave the chamber?
Rebecca Conrad: Ultimately, I realized that my desire to focus on advocacy for immigration, the arts and educational aspirations pulled me too far afield from the day-to-day focus of a sustaining a membership organization.
MB: What are you doing now?
RC: I’ve started RSC Consulting to assist businesses and organizations with concepts, strategies and connections. One of my first clients is Storm Warriors, a media foundation in Camden supported by donors who believe in the power of the nonprofit sector to solve humanitarian problems. Storm Warriors’ nationally recognized creative team provides videos, websites and other communication tools at no cost to nonprofits who otherwise couldn’t afford to tell their story. They originally worked internationally and now are focusing in Maine and New England. I’m helping with fundraising and public relations. I’m also working on a business plan with Herban Works, a program of Lewiston’s Center for Wisdom’s Women to expand production of their calendula-based body products in time for the opening of Sophia’s House, a residential program for women who are survivors of prostitution, trafficking, prison and addiction.
MB: What are your proudest chamber accomplishments?
RC: Promoting the region’s leadership, excellence and innovation. I also reinvigorated the Business Advocacy Committee and spent a great deal of time at the Legislature. Also, bringing the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council into the chamber, a consolidation that reduced annual overhead by $500,000 while maintaining a revolving loan pool, the Top Gun entrepreneur program, business development services and the capacity to award Foreign Trade Zone status. And working with the board to assess a new business model. I feel that I contributed to the chamber’s healthy future.
MB: How does your new role compare?
RC: I hope my work always revolves around helping businesses and organizations develop to their highest capacity. From assisting with best practice for nonprofit governance to arts and economic development to looking at new solutions for inclusive workforce development, I’ll still be focused on driving Maine’s future.
MB: You came to L-A for college, then never left, what about the area that makes it home?
RC: As a first-generation college student, Bates was foreign to me, so the first thing I did was to get a job waitressing downtown, and I met local people and got involved as a volunteer. While my education changed my life, being part of the community grounded me. I met and married a local person just back from college in Boston. Life has evolved with deep relationships to people and place. I could live anywhere, I suppose, and I am not saying I won’t ever move away. But I’ve never become complacent living in L-A and I’ve never stopped seeing potential. Those are pretty deep drivers.
MB: If you could change anything about L-A to help it grow a strong economy, what would it be?
RC: For everyone to imagine the possibilities and believe in the potential.
MB: On your final Breakfast Club appearance on WEZR, you got to pick the music. You’re a huge Ramones fan. What about the Ramones speaks to your philosophy of life?
RC: It’s more the memories than the philosophy, although the idea that they all took the name Ramone always intrigued me. They were my soundtrack for seven summers waitressing at a restaurant in my hometown that served 2,000 people a day for company outings. It was the only business in town and every kid in my high school worked there. Late hot summer nights, punk rock and the kinds of friends you see every day and promise never to forget. Even though you find a new community, those values stay with you and the Ramones just remind me of that.
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