The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia has selected Chellie Cameron as its new president & CEO.

She will succeed Rob Wonderling, who is stepping down at the end of his contract term June 30 after 13 years, to begin a new role as director of the Faith and Liberty Discovery Center. 

Cameron is joining the Chamber after 11 years with Philadelphia International Airport, which she had led as CEO since January 2016.

“I am just very humble with the trust you are placing in me for this position,” said Cameron during a press conference announcing her selection.

With an extensive career in aviation, Cameron spent 13 years with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), prior to joining the Philadelphia International Airport in 2011. She also served seven years as an active-duty officer in the United States Air Force, and a year as an Air Force civilian employee. 

She noted her love for Philadelphia, and the vital role businesses will play in the growth and prosperity of the region. 

For her new role, Cameron has set out her three main priorities. 

The first relates to the Chamber’s 1,600 members. 

“It starts and ends with the members,” she said. “I absolutely want to spend time getting to know all of [them]... making sure they know that they’re getting value for their membership.”

The second priority is building on the Chamber’s Recharge & Recovery initiative, which was launched amid the pandemic to devise, present and implement solutions for the region’s businesses. 

“I think it’s time for us to take that amazing program that was put into place… and start to think about how we can pivot to the future,” said Cameron.

The third priority is to lead with transparency and accountability.

“My commitment to you is that everything we do in the Chamber will be done with transparency… and accountability to you, the members,” she stated. 

Susan Jacobson, chair of the Chamber board and co-chair of the CEO Search Committee, praised Cameron’s valuable work as the Airport’s CEO as credentials to the job she will do leading the Chamber.

“She is a consensus builder, she values communications and partnership… she has embraced opportunities to advance business diversity… she is crisis tested, and she is a strategic big thinker,” said Jacobson.  

“This was a big decision that was important for the city, for the region and the Chamber,” added Mike Innocenzo, President & CEO of PECO and Chamber board member, of Cameron’s selection. “And we really wanted to put the right effort into it.” 

She was selected among a pool of more than 300 national and regional candidates.

Cameron will finish up her tenure with the Philadelphia International Airport June 24, and officially begin as the new President & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia July 11.