I am a CCE

Jaime Henning, CCE

Jaime Henning, CCE 
President & CEO 
Greeley Area Chamber of Commerce (Colo.) 

How has the CCE program helped you grow as a chamber leader? 

I believe the true measure of a leader is not how many followers they create, but how many leaders they inspire. The CCE program affirmed for me that the profession I had committed myself to needs more leaders. It gave me the confidence that I could make a difference and solidified some wonderful connections to other leaders who could support me on my journey. When I received my CCE, they asked me if I would commit myself to being a leader, and I took that commitment seriously. This is the place I and many of my colleagues are meant to be.

What is your favorite aspect of working in the chamber profession? 

I think every leader who dedicates their life to serve and give back in this profession thrives on the fact that every day is full of big challenges and bold opportunity. We have a chance to take on something new every day and come up with creative solutions. The businesses we serve make things happen, and what better opportunity than to spend our days and energy next to them, supporting them.

Books you are reading these days? 

• "Where do we go from here? Chaos or community?" (the last book written by Martin Luther King, Jr.)
• "The Way of Integrity" by Martha Beck (finding the path to your true self)
• "Bombproof" by Emily Bermes (A Field Proven Guide for the New-to-Role Executive)
• "Small Brave Moves" by Nicole Bianchi (Learn why little acts of bravery are the key to life changing leadership)

What advice would you give to the next generation of professionals?  

I have spent most of my professional career promoting the advancement of ideas, collaboration and connection with our next generation leaders. Put simply, they are the future. Answer this question as a measure of your community’s work to embrace young leaders: if we lost all our existing community leadership overnight, how have we positioned ourselves to ensure they can seamlessly step in and make things happen? 

If you had a superpower what would it be? 

Time travel. I would love to go back and learn lessons from some of the great leaders who were formative to today. 

Interested in learning more about the Certified Chamber Executive program? If you have six or more years of senior-level chamber management experience and are currently employed in a senior-level chamber management position, then consider earning your CCE. Learn more here.