Our Team
Becca Girsch, Executive director
Becca brings to the Chamber nearly ten years of retail experience as a small business owner. As a result, she has a passion for supporting small businesses, and a commitment to developing thriving and sustainable commercial corridors. Becca joined the Chamber's staff in 2018 and before that owned She One Boutique, a women's clothing store located on Southport Avenue. Prior to owning She One, Becca spent eight years practicing commercial litigation in Chicago as an attorney at Freeborn & Peters LLP and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP. Becca has a B.A. in History from Villanova University and a Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law.
Contact Becca about:
Organizational management questions
Strategic partnerships
Advocacy and policy issues
Planning, zoning and development issues
Robert Morvay, Community Development & SSA 27 Director
With six years of experience in community development in Chicago split between Northalsted, West Lakeview, and Roscoe Village, Robert's responsibilities primarily revolve around working with the City of Chicago to manage the West Lakeview Special Service Area (SSA) 27 Program. SSAs are a funding mechanism recommended by the City of Chicago which provide personalized, localized services beyond the scope of city-provided services through a voluntary property tax levy, managed by members of the local community. Beyond the SSA, Robert leads major placemaking projects in Lakeview and Roscoe Village such as the Lakeview Low-Line, the Belmont-Diversey Chicago Riverfront Trail Extension, and the Lakeview Public Art program. Robert is passionate about enhancing the streetscape of Lakeview and Roscoe Village for the betterment of residents, property owners, and local businesses.
Contact Robert about:
Lakeview Special Service Area (SSA) 27
Community relations
Placemaking, public spaces, and public art
Landscaping and streetscape enhancement
Sidewalk maintenance
Urban Planning Internship opportunities
Sandy O’KANE, Business Services Manager
Sandy’s journey with the chamber began as a local business owner of Winnie Cooper Boutique in Roscoe Village. Her enthusiasm for the chamber’s mission led her to join the board and eventually serve as president. Driven by her passion for business advocacy and the value the chamber brings to its members, Sandy stepped into her current role as Business Services Director. Before becoming a business owner, Sandy was a Managing Director in the financial services industry, where she specialized in streamlining payments for global organizations and leading business process improvement initiatives. She studied Business Management at DePaul University. Sandy is passionate about connecting with local businesses and brings a unique blend of entrepreneurial insight and corporate experience to support and guide our membership.
Contact Sandy about:
Membership questions and services
General business assistance and problem solving (marketing, referrals, financing, permitting, etc.)
Business to business event sponsorship opportunities
Available storefronts and site selection
New business assistance
Teresa Hull, Events & marketing director
Teresa joined the Chamber in 2024 and brings a love for the city of Chicago and a passion for making it a better place. Having studied Film & Digital Media as well as Entreprenuership, she has a unique blend of skills and interests to apply to the Chamber’s mission. Prior to joining the team, Teresa spent three years working as the Box Office Manager at the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, where she collaborated with many businesses from around the neighborhood and the city on sales strategies and event coordination. Teresa holds a degree in Communications with a concentration in Film & Digital Media from Loyola University Chicago.
Contact Teresa about:
The Roscoe Wine Walk
Porchfest
Coffee Stroll
Sidewalk Sales
Burger Fest
Taco Fest
Holiday Cocktail Crawl
Julie Star, Engagement manager
Julie joined the Chamber in 2021 and has over 15 years of retail, management, event planning and marketing experience. She has a passion for connecting people and businesses and planning exciting events that bring the community together. Julie enjoys being active and traveling with her husband and two daughters, who currently attend Coonley Elementary School. She has been a Girl Scout Troop leader, worked on the fundraising committee and Co-chaired school dances throughout the years. She has partnered with GLOW (Girls Leading Others Wisely) to lead courses with tweens to help lead and provide girls with the self-confidence and skills necessary to become effective influential leaders. She is also partnered with Impact Parents where she is being trained, certified and licensed to deliver a proven behavior management training program to parents and educators in the community. Julie has a BA in Textile and Apparel Management from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Contact Julie about:
The Low-Line Farmers Market
The Roscoe Village Farmers Market
Summer Sidewalk Sale
Shop for Schools
Trick or Treat on Southport
Small Business Saturday
Lakeview Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremonies
Zoë Kennison, Events & Marketing Coordinator
Zoë comes to the Chamber with six years of non-profit/events management experience. Previously, she worked as the general manager for Midnight Circus in the Parks where she caught the bug for community-driven work. Originally from St. Louis, Zoë proudly calls Chicago home, and loves working for and with Chicago communities. She holds a BA in Religious Studies with an emphasis on Social Sciences from Webster University -- a degree she rarely gets to use, but is thankful to have. Outside the office Zoë has a passion for curating, writing, and hosting niche trivia nights from her home.
Contact Zoë about:
The Low-Line Farmers Market
The Roscoe Village Farmers Market
Community Events Calendar
Chamber Newsletters
Media Inquiries
Matthew Bryant
Public Relations Director, Carol Fox & Associates
217-504-1905
✉matthewb@carolfoxassociates.com