SAN JOSE — The San Jose Chamber of Commerce has picked a new president, a woman who is a veteran in South Bay business, a decision that could end the revolving door for the top post at the organization.
Leah Toeniskoetter has been chosen as the new chamber president and chief executive officer, the organization stated Thursday.
“The Chamber of Commerce supports and speaks for a wide spectrum of businesses, from our favorite locally owned stores that are core to our neighborhoods to Fortune 500 enterprises that drive global change,” Toeniskoetter said on Thursday.
Toeniskoetter takes over the post in January, the chamber said.
The Chamber of Commerce picked its third leader in about three years — right when downtown San Jose is battling to escape an economic “doom loop.”
Toeniskoetter’s experience includes stints at Toeniskoetter Development, SPUR San Jose, and Deloitte. She has now become the 12th president and CEO of the business group.
She succeeds Derrick Seaver, who resigned unexpectedly in August.
Some observers believe Seaver helped put the San Jose Chamber on firmer ground in the wake of a scandal over a racist chamber political ad that showed Black men engulfed in tear gas with the message, “Do you really want to sign on to this?” — a reference, the group said at the time, to the consequences of cutting the police budget.
The CEO at that time resigned in October 2020, followed by the hiring in April 2021 of Derrick Seaver as the new CEO.
“It is an honor to step into this leadership role in service of our diverse community and to advance the economic vitality of San Jose and beyond,” Toeniskoetter said.
Local observers applauded the choice of Leah Toeniskoetter.
“The chamber made a great choice with Leah,” said Bob Staedler, principal executive with Silicon Valley Synergy, a land-use consultancy. “She understands the local business climate and politics of the area. This is a strong move forward for the organization.”