“You can overcome all the limitations of life and achieve your dreams, if you don't give up too early,” a saying that reflects the life and journey of Greater Valley Chamber Commerce Vice President, and Special Events coordinator, Nancie Gray. Nancie celebrated her 17th year anniversary at the Greater Valley Chamber’s of Commerce in Shelton, CT, in March. She welcomed the anniversary with a great warmth and inspiration for the future. To celebrate and honor her incredible impact and involvement within the Chamber of Commerce, we will take a look back into her life, to the places and moments where her journey began. Nancie began her journey into business early in her childhood. It was in her fathers plumbing and heating company in Vermont that she found the interest and growing passion for business, “It started out small, helping out my mother in the office, folding envelopes, stuffing invoices, helping stuff and decorate the Christmas cards, doing the little things that were fun for a 12 year old while being helpful within an office,” said Nancie. It was the skills that she learned within her family business, and further careers within her adulthood, that lead Nancie to achieve success. The adventure towards business took flight in the state of Connecticut. Nancie worked for Lenders Bagel Bakery as an administrator assistant within the Art and Graphic Design Department, “I learned so much from my experience at Lenders. From the mangers, to the designers, even the Bagel head painters, it was neat for me because I got to see a small business being a part of a larger cooperation, which was Kraft General Foods/Philip Morris, and seeing how they still worked and functioned as a small business,” said Nancie. Behind Nancie Grays driven nature, is a person who wants nothing more than to help others within her line of work. Nancie displays warm kindness and positive on a regular basis within the office, which is one part of her great character. The second is her driven nature to help others at all costs. That was the driven focus behind her work at the Connecticut Food Bank, “When I saw the opening position to work at Connecticut Food Bank I thought what a wonderful opportunity, I always wanted to work for an organization that would help the community,” said Nancie. Nancie worked at the Food Bank for five years and then changed her life’s path again, this time to the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton, CT. Nancie began working at the Chamber seventeen years ago, with the same mission from her previous career, to help the community around her, “the Chamber helps people by helping area businesses. By helping businesses we are also helping their employees, we are provide them with the connections and tools needed to be successful, and getting to have that opportunity to help others is the most rewarding part about working at the Chamber, “said Nancie. Nancie’s holds some of the most memorable moments about working at the Chamber close to her heart. She recalls her first major event (just 2 weeks after starting) was hosting annual meeting that included guest speaker Robert Kennedy, Jr., “We were up in the Oxford airport hangar with 500 hundred Chamber Members, it was my first time organizing an event this large, and I was excited because I got to experience being under pressure and what it meant to organize an event for the Chamber,” said Nancie. Other moments that are memorable to Nancie are the moments that might seem less significant to others, but are so important to the Chamber, “When Chamber members are able to network and connect with other business an customers. When we are able to help business and they are able to help others in the community that I feel is an important part of what we do,” said Nancie. Beyond the Chamber, Nancie loves to spend time with her family. Nancie loves animals and has two rescue dogs. Nancie loves to read and helping people when she can. Nancie has always been a big supporter of helping young professionals reach their true potential. She has been a mentor to several interns throughout the years and finds helping others achieve their goals to be rewarding. As we celebrate Nancie’s 17th year at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, lets inspire to hold her sense of kindness and caring heart. Lets share the same warm laugh and smile one receives from Nancie to our co-workers, friends, family, bringing forth the positivity that I know will change others lives, just as Nancie. - Intern Stephanie Chang |
CategoriesAuthorsGreater Valley Chamber Staff, Interns & Members Archives
November 2023
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