LYNN — Leslie Gould will step down from her position as president/CEO of the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce on June 1 after a decade with the organization.
Gould has accepted a position as executive director at the Greater Beverly Chamber of Commerce.
She said in an announcement to Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce members that moving on from her current position was “bittersweet,” and vowed to give everything she has in her final month so she leaves the office and events in order moving forward.
“I have absolutely loved working for you, even when times were challenging,” Gould said in a statement. “There really was never a dull moment that I didn’t have faith and my heart wasn’t passionate about the people of the LACC and the flavor of the City of Lynn, which I’ve been connected to since my father’s business on the Lynnway and I walked to the Hawk Shop for a steak and cheese and a grape Fanta.”
Gould said she’s grown professionally because of chamber members during her tenure and was challenged every day. She said she met “extraordinary, hard-working, business and community-minded people.”
“Lynn changed me for the better and remains 1,000 percent refreshing and real with every interaction,” Gould said. “I’ve made some life-lasting connections and friends and I’m extremely grateful.
“I love where Lynn is going and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in the 10 years I’ve been here. It is not the same chamber I walked into and I can leave knowing it’s in a healthy position on all fronts.”
The Executive Board will organize a search committee and strategy for the hiring process.