ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors announced on Monday a change in leadership.

According to a release, President and CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes will step down from her position effective Friday, March 28.

She served the Chamber and Albany area community for nearly a decade.

According to the release, Holmes has led the Chamber’s efforts to foster a prosperous economy by investing in programs that support businesses in connecting, building, and leading since 2015.

“We are deeply grateful for Bárbara’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to the Albany Area Chamber and the community,” said Smith Wilson, 2025 chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and a partner at Gardner Willis Plaire & Wilson. “Her contributions have been instrumental in shaping the future of the Chamber and Albany. We are confident she will continue to make an impact and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Under her leadership, the Chamber notes achieving numerous milestones and served in uniquely substantial ways, including:

• Organizational Excellence: Transformed the 115-year-old organization into a future focused Chamber, earning Five-Star Accreditation from the U.S. Chamber in 2024.
• Advocacy and Policy: Successfully led referendum campaigns, maintained Albany’s MSA status, and executed impactful programs such as Albany-Dougherty Day and the Washington, DC, Fly-In. Holmes also spearheaded the development of the Albany Area
• Political Leadership Institute and the Georgia Hub Chamber Council, elevating the Chamber’s reach and influence throughout the region and state.
• Albany Area Chamber Foundation: Redesigned the Foundation to focus on innovation, talent and entrepreneurial initiatives, launching programs including Propel+, Thrive, FLEX ABY and the Albany-Dougherty Talent Strategy 2.0.
• Digital Transformation: Implemented digital tools and strategies to enhance the Chamber’s online presence, including a new website and social media engagement, and digitized processes for improved efficiency and service.
• Disaster Recovery: Provided critical support and resources during hurricanes, tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic, serving representing the business community in recovery task forces and positioning the Chamber as primary source of timely information and advocacy for resources.
• Member and Community Engagement: Led efforts to connect, convene and collaborate, transforming community engagement and strategic partnerships.
• Military Community of Excellence: Elevated Albany as an ideal community for national defense, active duty personnel, veterans and military families through the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee.
• Programming: Focused on value, need and impact, providing members and the community with recognition, access and information.
• Workforce Development: Collaborated with strategic partners and employers to build a modern, adaptive and competitive workforce aligned with the region’s needs.

“Serving the Albany Area Chamber, our members and our community has been an incredible honor and responsibility. I am grateful for the trust the board has placed in me to deliver results that advance our mission and build a stronger Albany. The Albany Area Chamber will continue to thrive under the leadership of its dedicated staff and board members.”

The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has named Holmes one of Georgia’s “50 Most Influential Latinos” three times. She has also been recognized by Georgia Trend as a “Notable Georgian” five times and as a “500 Most Influential” three times.

|READ MORE: Albany Chamber of Commerce CEO, President named one of Georgia’s ‘50 Most Influential Latinos’|

The Chamber’s Board of Directors is evaluating next steps, according to the release.

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