By Shaun Inguanzo
AN employment specialist for a Dandenong not-for-profit agency is the new president of the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce.
Renae MacNamara, a program manager for employment services of the Australian Community Support Organisation, said she was excited about her appointment given State Government’s planned revitalisation of central Dandenong.
Ms MacNamara has been with the chamber for three years and replaces outgoing president David Carlson.
Accompanying her as vice-president is Phil Smith, a regional corporate business banking manager for the Commonwealth Bank.
Mr Carlson said he would take one of two vice-presidency roles to pass chamber wisdom on to Ms MacNamara and Mr Smith.
He said his term highlights included liaising with Dandenong’s business community about exciting new developments planned for the city’s revitalisation.
Mr Carlson said his executive team was vital to his successful term.
“At the end of the day the president is just the spokesperson while the executive team works hard behind the scenes,” he said.
“I would like to thank the team for its support.”
Ms MacNamara said she was looking forward to working with the Dandenong business community.
Her background with a not-for-profit group and being a member of the chamber has exposed her to two different outlooks on life.
“Being a member has certainly allowed me to build excellent relationships with other businesses in the community and develop fantastic networks,” Ms MacNamara said.
“The beauty of Dandenong people is their willingness to help and their sense of community obligation.
“I guess I work with the most disenfranchised people in our society and unfortunately the profit sector tends to put people second to business.
“But I have been allowed to see people as a first priority, not second.”
