As President and CEO of the Greater Kitsap Chamber, Irene Moyer is guiding the organization through a new era of collaboration, innovation, and regional impact. With a background in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and communications, Moyer has focused on strengthening membership, expanding programs, and amplifying advocacy for businesses across Kitsap County.
As President and CEO of the Greater Kitsap Chamber, Irene Moyer is leading one of the region’s most dynamic business organizations through a period of growth, innovation, and regional collaboration. With a background spanning higher education, nonprofit leadership, and communications, she brings both a strategic vision and a passion for supporting local businesses.
Since stepping into the role, Moyer has focused on strengthening membership, expanding programs, and amplifying the Chamber’s advocacy on behalf of businesses across the county. Under her leadership, the Greater Kitsap Chamber is positioning itself as a trusted resource and connector—one that not only champions businesses but also contributes to the broader quality of life in Kitsap.
About Greater Kitsap Chamber
For more than 40 years, the Greater Kitsap Chamber has served as a driving force for business and community vitality across the region. As an independent, nonprofit organization, the Chamber represents businesses, professionals, and community leaders committed to building a thriving Kitsap. Through advocacy, education, and connection, the Chamber provides members with a voice in community affairs, opportunities for networking and mentorship, and representation on key countywide boards and initiatives. From welcoming new businesses and fostering economic growth to supporting partnerships with the military and local government, the Greater Kitsap Chamber continues to champion collaboration and innovation—helping members succeed while strengthening the quality of life throughout the Peninsula.
In this Q&A, Moyer reflects on her career journey, her vision for the Chamber’s future, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership and community impact.
Can you walk us through your career journey and what led you to the Greater Kitsap Chamber?
My career journey began with a strong foundation in communications – I earned a BA in Communications/PR from California Lutheran University and later an MA in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. That education led me into higher education administration, where I spent about 10 years working in admissions, recruitment, and marketing at several universities on both the West and East Coasts.
After stepping away to be a stay-at-home mom for about 12 years, my family relocated to Kitsap County from Colorado in 2014. When I decided to re-enter the workforce after my youngest was in pre-K, I was serving on the board of a local nonprofit, where another board member connected me to an opening at the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce. Working for a Chamber had never crossed my mind, but I quickly discovered a passion for supporting local businesses and knew I had found my home. After two years in Poulsbo, I moved to the Silverdale Chamber during the pandemic, a time when Chambers were working round-the-clock to support businesses. It was both challenging and deeply rewarding to bring my skillset to Central Kitsap. I also knew that a merger with the Bremerton Chamber was being explored, and I was eager to be part of shaping what a regional association could look like for Kitsap.
What inspired you to take on the role of President and CEO, and how has your leadership evolved since stepping into the position?
When I joined the then-Silverdale Chamber, there was an understanding that I would eventually step into the President and CEO role. When the board invited me to do so this year, I embraced the opportunity and the challenge. I’ve always been drawn to leadership – whether at work, with my family, or through volunteer roles – but this position has pushed me to grow in unexpected ways. I’ve learned that effective leadership isn’t about doing everything myself; it’s about setting priorities, pacing our work, and empowering my staff to take ownership. That shift has helped me focus on the long game for our organization, and it’s exciting to be building a team that shares that vision for sustainable success.
What’s your vision for the Greater Kitsap Chamber, both in the near future and over the long term?
I’m incredibly excited for the future of the Greater Kitsap Chamber. In the near term, my focus is on growing and strengthening our membership, expanding innovative programs, and amplifying our advocacy on behalf of businesses. I’d also like to grow our staff so we can dedicate full-time support to key initiatives. Long term, my vision is for the Greater Kitsap Chamber to be the trusted source for business resources, support, and advocacy in our region – working hand-in-hand with partners who share our passion for building a thriving Kitsap.
How do you balance the needs of a diverse business community spread across such a broad and varied geographic area?
Our members truly are Greater Kitsap. We are not just Central Kitsap, representing Bremerton and Silverdale (which we will always take great pride in and where 67% of our members hail from), but we have members representing the entire County and beyond. More than 18% of our membership comes to us from Poulsbo and 9% are from outside of Kitsap County. And while it can be tough to have folks spread out across the region, we are proud of the connections we have to our individual communities and we are committed to making sure we are plugged in to what matters most to the businesses and nonprofits in those cities and areas.
We stay connected by meeting with businesses where they are, attending local council meetings, and rotating our programs and events throughout the region. It’s about being intentional and visible, so no matter where a member is located, they know the Chamber is listening and advocating for them.
What are some current Chamber initiatives that you’re most excited about when it comes to supporting local businesses?
We’re always working on something at the Greater Kitsap Chamber but the two things I’m really excited about right now center around celebration and opportunity. First, our annual Business Awards Gala on December 12th is the biggest night of the year for the Chamber. Not only is it a fundraiser for our organization – always important when you are a nonprofit – but it is an amazing night of celebrating so many wonderful businesses, nonprofit organizations, and people around Kitsap. It’s a moment where we can reflect on the year and celebrate the wins and wows that were experienced by so many, and I think that’s a really important part of entrepreneurship and community. Too many days are tough days and for small business owners, there aren’t often a lot of times when you have the chance to step back and say, “We did a really great job with this,” or for a nonprofit to remember, “We really made a difference in our community when we did this.” The Business Awards Gala gives us permission to do that and celebrate together as a community and it’s a night not to miss.
The other program I am really excited for follows right on the heels of the gala and that is our brand-new business readiness program: Ready Kitsap 2026 (launching in January). As most people have heard by now, Seattle is host to six games for the FIFA World Cup next summer, and even more special for us locally, Bremerton has been selected to be an official Fan Zone. We’re being told that Washington may see upwards of 750,000 additional visitors during the World Cup games and we know that many of those visitors will be heading to Kitsap to enjoy all that we have to offer as a Pacific Northwest destination.
To make sure our businesses and nonprofits are best prepared and positioned to benefit from those extra visitors, we are hosting a one-day business and tourism summit where we will be bringing together experts and advisors to help local businesses prepare for that influx. It will include speakers surrounding staffing and talent retention, financial preparedness, human trafficking, marketing and branding, tourism readiness, and more. FIFA is just the beginning of global opportunities coming to our region, and we want to make sure Kitsap businesses are ready to seize them.
How is the Chamber helping businesses navigate post-pandemic realities and broader economic shifts?
The post-pandemic economy has created new pressures for businesses, from supply chain challenges to workforce shortages. The Greater Kitsap Chamber’s role is to listen closely to what’s keeping business owners up at night and then bring those concerns directly to decision-makers. Whether it’s testifying before committees or meeting one-on-one with legislators, we ensure Kitsap businesses have a strong, united voice at the county, state, and federal levels.
What role does the Chamber play in advocating for business interests at the regional, state, or even national level?
We love our work in advocacy – it’s at the heart of what we do every day. Locally, we convene businesses and elected officials at events like our annual elected leaders breakfast and Eggs & Issues candidate forums. At the state level, we join the Association of Washington Business for the Legislative Hill Climb, where we bring members directly to Olympia to meet with legislators, testify on issues, and learn about the work happening at the Capitol. Whether local, regional, or national, our goal is to ensure that the interests of all businesses are heard and represented.
How are you approaching innovation—whether through new programs, technology, or member engagement?
I think it’s important for us to be open to change and innovation at all times. We never want to be the Chamber who just does the same old thing every year, or that doesn’t embrace new technology, or who isn’t always thinking about how to engage our members better. We have these conversations every day. We embrace opportunities to learn how other communities are leveraging new technology, particularly on how to better communicate with our membership, and we love to get feedback from members on what more we can be doing to enhance their membership and partnership with us. Innovation has to be part of our DNA. If we’re not continually improving, we’re not truly serving our members.
Can you share a partnership or collaboration that exemplifies the Chamber’s role as a connector?
One of my favorite things about Chamber work is how much it lends itself to partnerships and collaboration. As evidenced by our merger of the Bremerton and Silverdale Chambers, we are fully cognizant of the idea that there is strength in doing something together, and we are always looking for ways to leverage partnerships to the benefit of our members.
One of the collaborations I am most proud of is our partnership with the Leadership Kitsap Foundation for our now-annual Kitsap Women’s Summit. Launched in 2024, this signature event brings women from across Kitsap and beyond together for a day of learning, growth, and both personal and professional development. I had been wanting to host a women’s event for years, and we were poised to finally bring it to life in 2024, when the opportunity to connect with Leadership Kitsap presented itself. What resulted was magical and the event would not be what it is without this partnership and a shared vision of meeting the needs of women across our community. It is probably my very favorite (professional) day of the year.
How do you gather feedback from the business community to ensure the Chamber remains responsive and relevant?
We are always looking for feedback and are open to new and better ways to get it, but I think the best way we do this (outside of surveys and such) is to create a culture of communication with our membership. My team and I have an open-door policy – whether it’s a phone call, an email, or a cup of tea, we’re always available to hear what’s working, what isn’t, and what our members need us to take on. Staying responsive means making feedback an ongoing conversation, not just a one-time ask.
In what ways is the Chamber working to advance equity, inclusion, and support for diverse entrepreneurs?
Diversity, equity and inclusion are important values for the Greater Kitsap Chamber. When we launched GKC in 2022, our task force was deliberate in crafting a DEI statement for our organization and it has become a guidepost for all the work we do. You’ll see this playing out in programming that we offer and conversations that we are a part of. It’s important that we include diverse voices and ideas. And again, it’s about meeting our members where they are. If there are groups within our larger business community that have specific needs, we seek out that direction and do our best to meet that need. A great example is our 2023 Growing Greater Businesses grant, developed with the Washington State Department of Commerce, which focused on supporting women-owned, veteran-owned, and BIPOC-owned businesses that often face barriers to funding. Initiatives like these are vital, and we’re always looking for more ways to lift up diverse entrepreneurs and amplify their voices.
What advice would you give to women in leadership or those aspiring to lead in the business community?
My advice is simple: you are allowed to take up space. Leadership doesn’t require being the loudest or flashiest person in the room. Some of the most impactful leaders I know are steady, thoughtful, and authentic – that’s their superpower. Be yourself, trust your abilities, and know that your perspective has value. Everything else will follow.
What role do you believe the Chamber should play in shaping the wider Kitsap community—not just its business environment?
Our name – Greater Kitsap Chamber – was intentional. We dropped “of commerce” from our name because we recognize that the work of the Chamber transcends business; everything we do ultimately is for our community. Strong businesses create a strong economy, which means a higher quality of life for everyone. That’s why you’ll see us at everything from advocacy hearings to community cleanups and military support efforts. We see ourselves as a voice not just for businesses, but for the future of Kitsap as a whole.
What’s something you’ve learned about leadership in this role that has surprised or challenged you?
One thing that has surprised me in this role is how often leadership comes from places other than the top. I learned, especially in my role just prior to this one, that leading from within a team – or even leading ‘up’ – can be just as powerful as leading from the front. What’s been challenging is letting go of the idea that leadership is tied to a title. In my Chamber role, I see every team member as capable of leading in their own way, and my job is to create an environment where those contributions are welcomed and valued. That has stretched me to listen more intentionally and to recognize that effective leadership is less about directing and more about empowering.
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