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Rooster Booster, Sponsored by New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services Featuring Rich Harwood

The Chamber will host Rooster Booster breakfast on Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services, and the featured speaker will be Rich Harwood, President & Founder of The Harwood Institute.

The program will also highlight the graduates of this year's Chamber Young Professionals' Guys & Ties program. Additionally, the 2025-26 Educators in the Workplace cohort will be recognized. Coffee With a Candidate will be following the Rooster Booster program after a short intermission.

New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services is proud to serve our community by providing support, advocacy, and healing to survivors of sexual violence across the region. For more than 45 years, our organization has worked to ensure that individuals and families impacted by sexual harm have access to compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Through a comprehensive range of services—including a 24/7 crisis hotline, medical and legal advocacy, prevention education, and professional counseling—New Beginnings meets survivors where they are and supports them on their path to healing. Our licensed therapists provide evidencebased counseling to individuals of all ages, helping clients regain stability, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.

Richard C. Harwood

This month’s program will also feature cookies from The Bees Knees Bakery + Goods as our Member Spotlight! Reserve your spot now at www.chamber.owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at (270) 926-1860 by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6.

COST IN ADVANCE: $16 for Chamber Members and $26 for Future Members. COST AT THE DOOR: $21 for Chamber Members and $26 for Future Members.

In addition to direct services, New Beginnings partners with local schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and businesses to promote awareness and prevention. These collaborations strengthen our community’s response and ensure survivors are not navigating their journey alone. We are especially proud to work alongside Owensboro Health to support a community where a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is available 24 hours a day— an important step in ensuring survivors receive timely, compassionate care when they need it most.

As a local nonprofit, we recognize that this work also impacts the business community. When individuals have access to trauma-informed support, they are better able to maintain employment, improve productivity, and contribute to a healthier workplace culture. We welcome opportunities to partner with local businesses through training, sponsorships, and community engagement efforts that support both employee well-being and a stronger workforce.

his bestselling manifesto, The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation.

Member Renewals

Legendary Pools & Spas 1218 Hall Street (502) 526-1134 https://www.facebook.com/ share/1MFESmUAd4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Nothing Bundt Cakes 2490 Calumet Trace, Suite 3 (615) 499-2649 nothingbundtcakes.com

Positive First Dog Training LLC (270) 702-7392 positivefirstdogtraining.com

Silk Velvet Whiskey 630 Center Street Henderson, KY 42420 (270) 577-1669 silkvelvetwhiskey.com

Simmonds Blinds and Drapes 1128 Highland Drive Beaver Dam, KY 42320 (270) 775-2964 Simmondsblinds.com

Visual Harmony Signs and Graphics 312 NW Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Suite 301 Evansville, IN 47708 (812) 902-1021 visualharmonysigns.com

Youth Villages 10503 Timberwood Circle, Suite 100 Louisville, KY 40223 (615) 250-7245 youthvillages.org

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Chanda Prater

Chanda Prater is a dedicated professional with more than two decades of experience in client relations, executive administration, and higher education compliance. She currently serves as a Client Success Advocate with Fastek Services, LLC, where she focuses on building strong client relationships through collaboration, communication, and engagement.

Prior to her current role, Chanda spent ten years in multiple roles at Kentucky Wesleyan College. During her tenure, she managed executive scheduling and correspondence, coordinated high-level events, and served as a key liaison among the President, Board of Trustees, and a wide range of stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, and community leaders. Her ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion was central to her success.

Chanda began her career with Daymar Colleges Group, where she spent nearly 12 years as Senior Licensing & Accreditation Specialist. In this role, she oversaw licensing, accreditation, and compliance for 20 campuses across four states, leading efforts related to institutional approvals, program development, and regulatory affairs.

Known for her attention to detail, organizational expertise, and commitment to excellence, Chanda brings a collaborative and service-oriented approach to every role she undertakes. She remains actively engaged in supporting organizational success and fostering meaningful professional relationships within her community.