The People Behind the Scenes
The Chamber Team
Healthy businesses, thriving community. This statement is at the core of the work we do as the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. With a diverse business community of nearly 600 members in our corner, we work diligently to serve our local businesses and develop strategies that help our community be one of the best in the state. Meet the team that is stiving to reach new heights and help our community.
Kami Welch
President & CEO
More About Kami
Kami Welch is the President of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. A 13-year Chamber veteran, Kami has earned a reputation for developing strategic, innovative business and community growth opportunities. Kami is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Talent Pipeline Fellow and a board member for the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) and Association of Colorado Chambers of Commerce, where she is Past-Chair. Kami also sits on community boards for non-profit organizations that focus on children, education, homelessness, and domestic violence, including Family Tree, where she is the Past Chair. Kami loves living in Colorado with her husband of 15 years and two young children, where they enjoy hiking, skiing, and exploring.
Certifications or awards
- EIDA Center Cultural Intelligence Certification – Complete In Spring 2022
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Talent Pipeline Management Program Graduate
- Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Workforce and Education Fellowship Graduate
- Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry EXECS Leadership Program Graduate
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Change Management Fellowship Graduate
- Denver Business Journal Outstanding Woman in Business 2023
Boards, committees, or groups
- Rocky Mountain Partnership (RMP) Community Leaders Council
- Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) Board of Directors
- Association of Colorado Chambers of Commerce (ACCC), Past-Chair
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Talent Pipeline, Fellow
- Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board of Directors
- Jeffco Schools Foundation Board of Directors
- Family Tree Board of Directors
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Board of Directors
- Arvada Vitality Alliance Board of Directors
- Arvada Visitor’s Center Board of Directors, Treasurer
Your favorite quote to live by
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
What is your walk-up song?
“High Hopes” – Panic at the Disco
Samantha Geerdes
VP of Member Services & Events
More About Samantha
As the VP of Member Services for the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, I am here for you and your business to help you succeed, grow and connect. I’d love to talk with you more about how joining the Chamber can help your business succeed. Want to attend, host or sponsor an event? I’m your girl! How about joining one of our amazing Leadership programs to connect and learn with other local professionals?
I have been with the Chamber for over 7 years and previously worked in events, marketing and promotions for a variety of non-profits and entertainment organizations. I graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Broadcast News and am a proud Colorado native. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son, Callen and dog, Waffles. We love traveling, spending time outside and hanging out in Olde Town.
Your favorite quote to live by
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it.”- Elizabeth Gilbert
What is your walk-up song?
“Don’t Lose Sight” – Lawrence
Ryan Hecht
Marketing Director
More About Ryan
I’m proud to say I have worked at the Arvada Chamber for over four years, helping the organization, our member businesses, and our community tell its story. I have 10+ years of experience as a multi-channel brand communicator, working with start-ups, content agencies, and inside Fortune 500 companies. Every business owner and brand has an engaging story to tell and I’m passionate about playing a meaningful role in that narrative. Ask me about: authentic content marketing, creative campaign strategy, event promotion, inclusive marketing, email marketing, digital and print design, and social media management. I may also steer the conversation to indie rock music, the Denver Nuggets, southern foods, or something funny that happened with my wife and son.
Certifications or awards
- 2021 Association of Colorado Chambers of Commerce Award for Best Communications Campaign (Badass Women of Arvada)
- Colorado Inclusive Economy Community of Practice Cohort 5
Boards, committees, or groups
- Arvada Chamber Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging KAPS Council (Lead)
- The City of Arvada Retirement Plan Board (Member)
Your favorite quote to live by
“Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.” – Tina Fey
What is your walk-up song?
“Intergalactic” – Beastie Boys
Molly Kust
Director of Operations
More About Molly
My professional passion is delivering solutions that enrich the stakeholder experiences through leveraging and improving systems and communication. I have earned my team’s title for me of “Process Princess” in my five years as the Director of Operations with the Arvada Chamber of Commerce. I’m thrilled to be in a career and industry where I can best utilize my strengths to do exactly what I love to help our businesses and my team thrive. I have over 13 years of experience in the private sector including careers in food retail, project management, e-commerce, and global healthcare communications. Included in that number are my work-based learning experiences – WBL has been invaluable to my success where I learned professional skills early on in a work setting. I am stepping even further into my unique abilities as the chamber’s Integrator within the Entrepreneurial Operating System model, or EOS. As Integrator my role is to maintain accountability across the organization and streamline communication to keep our work moving forward – my dream job. I believe that every small business should run on EOS that leverages their data, people, systems, and processes to their competitive advantage. I’d love to chat about how EOS supports our own business and can support yours.
When I’m not at work, I’m usually playing with my husband Chad, pup Clover, and kitties Lucia and Edgar, crushing my workouts at F45 (Functional 45), traveling all over the country, and soaking up all that the Denver area has to offer with friends and family.
Certifications or awards
- Certificate of Completion – Peak Academy Black Belt Training – City and County of Denver
Boards, committees, or groups
- Development Committee – Family Tree Member
- Female Integrator Mastermind (FIM)
- Gala Planning Committee – Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
Your favorite quote to live by
One I will always remember is “the first time is not always the right time.” You can always try again – personally and professionally.
What is your walk-up song?
“I Got You” – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Kylie Parks
Director of Talent Pipeline Development
More About Kylie
Over the last 9 years, I have built my career and developed teams in talent acquisition, and HR project management in varying industries. I thrive in fast-paced and rapidly growing organizations and can translate what I’ve learned there to help newly growing teams scale successfully. In my current role, I am most excited to be able to support businesses through an industry experience lens by connecting and building the right resources to support their growth!
Certifications or awards
- Master of Science, Organizational Leadership
Boards, committees, or groups
- State Youth Council
- Mile High SHRM
- ACCE Fellowship Program Enrollee
Your favorite quote to live by
“Love the life you live, Live the life you love!”
What is your walk-up song?
“Unwritten” – Natasha Bedingfield
Mary Runkel
Membership Experience Director
More About Mary
As the Member Experience Director for the Arvada Chamber of Commerce, I bring rhythm to our members’ experience by helping them find the right group, program, or people to advance their business’ goals. I also assist with our events facilitation, database integration, and our Cloverleaf training program.
Give me a complex problem, allow me a few days to compose and mix it up, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. My professional super power is building and maintaining dynamic partnerships, and I’ve learned, time and time again, how that’s the key to growth of almost any kind.
As a singer of the “Mary & the Weber Brothers Band”, I understand how critical it is to have all your moving parts + people working together. When everything is in sync, it brings peace to your workplace and joy to the world. Please reach out if you want to join a group, need an introduction, want to grab a coffee at a local shop or talk about the songs I make up about my dog, Virgil.
Certifications or awards
- Master’s in Public Administration
Your favorite quote to live by
It’s really a set of poems. “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver, “The Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann. “The Negroe Speaks of Rivers” by Langston Hughes. “Kindness” by Naomi Shihab Nye. And many more.
What is your walk-up song?
“I Love It” – Icona Pop
Our Team Values
The Arvada Chamber’s Team Values are a playlist we practice and perfect to be in sync for each other and our business community.
GROWTH-MINDED | “LET IT GROW”
- We are always seeking growth and new potential
- We are dedicated to innovation
- We are willing to take risks, fail, learn, and evolve
DEVOTED | “SMELLS LIKE TEAM SPIRIT”
- We are selflessly committed to the team’s success
- We are purposefully inclusive
- We take the responsibility – blame no one
DELIGHTFUL | “RIGHT HERE, RIGHT WOW”
- We seek out “wow” moments both internally and externally
- We exceed expectations in roles and responsibilities
- We are thorough, efficient, and independent problem solvers
AUTHENTIC | “WE BUILT THIS AUTHENTICITY”
- We are humbly confident
- We check our ego at the door
- We are open and honest
COMPASSIONATE | “ALL OF ME”
- We lead with a big heart
- We are enthusiastic and energizing team members
- We reserve time to be supportive