PHILADELPHIA (November 30, 2021) – After serving more than a decade at the helm of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and providing stability and focus to the region’s business community during the pandemic, President and CEO Rob Wonderling has publicly shared he will not seek a renewal of his three-year employment agreement. Wonderling informed the Chamber’s leadership of his decision in 2019, so as to provide time for organizational and leadership succession.
At the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Spring of 2020, Wonderling committed to serve the Chamber and the business community in the early and uncertain days of the global pandemic while at the same time reaffirming his plans to depart in June 2022. While the pandemic continues to create uncertainty for the business community, the city, and region, the Chamber has provided the catalytic and collaborative leadership for a strong and inclusive economic recovery.
Under Wonderling’s leadership, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia has evolved into a more focused, collaborative, impactful, and financially viable organization, specifically accomplishing the following:
- Deployed a new member engagement model focusing on opportunities for member-to-member business and professional development
- Built a robust set of best practice programming for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Developed with a myriad of grassroots partners the Roadmap for Growth Small Business Neighborhood Impact Initiative
Resourced and advanced the growth of the region’s Cell & Gene Therapy business sector - Advocated at the federal, state, and local level for more public resources for improvements to the region’s infrastructure, applied research and development programs, and a host of business-related legislative initiatives
- Designed and launched the statewide “Grow Pennsylvania” initiative in collaboration with over 70 local Chambers of Commerce statewide
- Created the public/private Recharge and Recover post pandemic inclusive economic recovery plan for the City and Greater Philadelphia region.
Chamber Board Chair Susan Jacobson said, “I am so grateful to Rob for his more than a decade of service to the Chamber and his relentless devotion to our members, the business community and the region. Rob has always put the Chamber first, which is characteristic of who he is and personifies the spirit of service he has brought to his work.”
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve our Chamber, business, and civic community,” said Wonderling. “Together, we have accomplished much, and I have no doubt that we will continue to achieve much more. Our business community’s caring capacity and innovation never ceases to amaze me, and I am grateful to have been in service to such an outstanding organization.”
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia brings area businesses and civic leaders together to promote growth and create opportunity in our region. Our members represent 11 counties, three states, and roughly 600,000 employees from thousands of member companies and organizations. We advocate for regional development, business-friendly public policies, and economic prosperity. And all that we do serves one clear goal: to make Greater Philadelphia a great place for good business.
