Jessica Linder Gallo, Aurora Regional Chamber Executive, Named to ACCE 40 Under 40 List

Prestigious National List Recognizes Emerging Leaders in the Chamber of Commerce Industry

(AURORA, IL, NOVEMBER 30, 2021) – The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the voice of and catalyst for business success in the Aurora region, is honored to announce that its own President & CEO, Jessica Linder Gallo, has been named by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) as one of this year’s Forty Under 40.
 
The annual Forty Under 40 program recognizes the top 40 emerging leaders in the chamber of commerce industry who have demonstrated success in their careers, having reached the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity while making significant contributions in the communities they represent. 
 
"It is such an honor to have been chosen for this prestigious designation alongside of some incredibly talented and hard-working professionals,” said Jessica Linder Gallo, President & CEO of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce. “I'm very proud of the work I do at the Chamber and its humbling to be recognized in this way. I look forward to the future here in the Aurora region as we continue to be a catalyst for business success." 
 
Jessica was nominated by Dr. Jamal Scott, Vice President of Strategic Development, Waubonsee Community College and Board Chair-Elect for the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Jessica is intelligent, deliberate and thoughtful and is an outstanding leader of people. She has an uncanny ability to balance direct leadership and decisiveness with organizational leadership and personality management,” Dr. Scott said in his nomination of Jessica. “She has brought so much strategy and direction to the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her presence and intentionality has raised the bar for not just the employees but for the board members as well. One of the first things that she did was tell us that she needed our help to be successful, and she has held us accountable to that."
 
Following the first leadership transition in more than 15 years, Jessica is the first female and the youngest executive in the Aurora Regional Chamber’s more than 110+ year history. Jessica leads the effort to serve the nearly 600 diverse chamber members by providing tools and resources vital to business success. During Jessica’s tenure, the organization has pivoted to provide robust online resources for businesses and launched a vibrant rebrand that included new digital program enhancements and member tools. Following her first year as president & CEO, the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce was recognized as the 2020 Outstanding Chamber of the Year by the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for its leadership, innovation, advocacy, member experience and business community support.
 
Prior to leading the Aurora Regional Chamber, Jessica served as Executive Director of the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce where she grew the organization by leading enhancements of member offerings and developing new talent initiatives. Her leadership earned the chamber two Illinois Excellence in Tourism Awards from the Illinois Office of Tourism.
 
Jessica holds a B.S. in Business with a major in Hospitality Leadership from DePaul University and was awarded the 2017 Alumna of the Year by the DePaul School of Hospitality Leadership. She also holds a Masters of Political Science focused in Applied Community and Economic Development from Illinois State University. Jessica is currently working to complete her IOM designation and Certified Association Executive accreditation in 2022.
 
About the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) is an organization dedicated to helping leaders of chambers of commerce succeed in making a difference in their communities. ACCE partners with chambers, organizations and businesses around the world to bring value and leadership to local communities. Learn more at
 
About the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce is the voice of and the catalyst for business success. We unite businesses with the community to create economic prosperity while facilitating connections with community leaders. For more than 100 years, we have served the greater Aurora region across four counties (DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will), and currently represent nearly 600 businesses. We have earned the 5-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, an honor bestowed on only 1% of Chambers nationwide. Learn more at aurorachamber.com.

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