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Oak Park-River Forest Chamber has new executive director
Cathy Yen, a self-employed business consultant and business manager for a local non-profit, is the new executive director of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce. | Provided
Updated: April 22, 2013 10:40AM
OAK PARK — The Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of its new executive director.
Cathy Yen, a self-employed business consultant and business manager for a local non-profit, was introduced Tuesday to replace Jim Doss, who is retiring after 12 years.
The announcement was made at the chamber’s monthly networking event, Business After Hours. The event was held this month at Rush Oak Park Hospital.
Chamber board president John Lawrence said he was delighted to announce Yen’s appointment. He said she was selected from a strong field of five finalists.
“They all came prepared,” said Lawrence. “Cathy just came better prepared.”
“She has a tremendous amount of experience in dealing with non-profits. And her educational background is impeccable.”
Yen, who takes over at the Chamber on March 18, graduated from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. She also has degrees from Princeton University and Dominican University.
She is currently chief administrative officer of the Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy, a nonprofit focused on performing arts enrichment programming in Chicago-area schools.
Her consulting company, CHY, provides services in business strategy, public relations and communications, as well as operational, administrative and financial management.
Yen praised the departing Doss.
“I have some big shoes to fill,” she said. “But as a woman in this town, I know where all the shoe stores are.”
Yen said this is “such an exciting time for businesses in our community.” She vowed to work hard to promote businesses in the two villages.
“At the end of the day, our number-one goal is to further business interests for the well-being of the community.”
