SEPTEMBER
2026
Newsletter
Proudly serving the City of St. Charles, St. Charles Township, Village of Campton Hills and surrounding communities.
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CARRIE SCHNEIDER
St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes new Executive Director
n What’s special about the St. Charles area community? Everyone is proud to live, work and do business here. St. Charles is highly sought after and businesses, families and visitors alike want to be a part of this community and see what is going on. Although St. Charles is growing, there is still a small-town feel, a genuine feeling that everyone wants St. Charles to be successful. From traditional events to new events, there is something for everyone. It is a town to fully immerse yourself or your business. I feel very fortunate to be able to work in St. Charles and at the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce. n Your vision/mission as executive director of the St. Charles Area Chamber: 1. To re-energize the St. Charles Area Chamber and increase awareness and engagement. 2. To create meaningful opportunities and events that create a space for networking, advocacy and economic programs that will have something of interest for every one of our members. 3. To create a space that our local businesses want to be a part of and for them to know we are here to support our members.
n Your professional background: I have spent the majority of my career working in Elgin in different capacities, from Edgewater by Del Webb (an active adult community) to social services with the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin and PADS of Elgin. People have always been central to the work I do. I had the opportunity to see Edgewater by Del Webb transition from developer control to the homeowner control of the association and a fully built-out community. During my time at Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, I was a part of both the development and operations teams. I spent most of my time overseeing the after-school elementary programs in 20 of the U-46 elementary schools. During my time at PADS of Elgin, I was the acting Executive Director for over a year. n A professional challenge you’ve experienced and overcame: When I worked at Edgewater by Del Webb, an age-restricted 55 years and older adult community, I was often looked at differently because of my age. At the time, I could’ve easily been many of the residents’ daughter or
even granddaughter. I’m proud that on the relationships I built, the work I did, and the trust I earned, it helped me establish myself as a trusted leader in a non-traditional setting for young professionals.
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