As we wrap up another busy year in Truckee, I am starting my yearly reflection on what I’m most grateful for and while this year has been challenging on lots of levels, the list is still long. Leading the Truckee Chamber of Commerce means I get a front-row seat to the incredible people, partnerships, and moments that shape our community. This job reminds me daily that Truckee is far more than a place to live or work; it’s a community of neighbors, business owners, nonprofits, and public partners who show up again and again for one another. And for that, I’m truly thankful.

This year, I’m especially grateful for the businesses, small, large, new, and long-established, that make Truckee what it is today. Whether it was meeting with owners through our Business Listening Tour, celebrating with mixers and ribbon cuttings, or advocating for their needs with government partners, I’m constantly inspired by their resilience and creativity. Our local businesses navigate seasonal fluctuations, workforce challenges, and rising operational costs, yet they continue to innovate and create new ways to serve our community.

I’m also thankful for the passion and leadership of my board of directors and committee members. Their thoughtful guidance helped shape programs that matter: expanding Next Level Leadership, elevating our TNTN Tech Teens program and supporting the new Truckee Young Entrepreneurs Club programs, and strengthening our role in workforce development. I’m grateful for their willingness to dig into complex issues, and for the hours they volunteer to ensure the Chamber continues to evolve in ways that serve our members and the whole community.

This year brought new opportunities to collaborate with our partners across the region, and I’m grateful for every one of them. From the Town of Truckee and Nevada County to Visit Truckee-Tahoe, the Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, and countless others, we could not do the work we do without partnership. Whether we were advancing the sidewalk vending ordinance, supporting the navigation center pilot, helping secure resources for small businesses, or participating in cultural district efforts, these partnerships made real progress possible. Truckee works best when we work together and this year was a powerful reminder of that.

And finally, I’m grateful for our community as a whole. I am thankful for the residents who attend Good Morning Truckee, community members who take the time to show up for public comment, support local businesses, and welcome new ideas. You are the reason we fight for thoughtful policies, a strong local economy, and a thriving cultural and recreational environment. Thank you for every conversation, email, survey response, and handshake helps guide our work.