Lisa’s story with the Chamber is not simply a story of holding a title. It is the story of showing up, again and again, for businesses, families, visitors, volunteers, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and neighbors.

It is the story of someone who understood that a Chamber of Commerce is not just an office, a board, a membership list, or a calendar of events. A Chamber is a living connection point. It is where businesses find support, where ideas become partnerships, where communities promote their best qualities, and where people are reminded that they do not have to build alone.

A Career Built on Service

For nearly 14 years, Lisa served as President and CEO of The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. In total, she has served 18 years in the Chamber industry, with her retirement from Chamber leadership set for June 26, 2026.

During that time, she helped guide the organization through growth in tourism promotion, economic development, business outreach, community engagement, and organizational modernization. Under her leadership, the Chamber expanded visibility for The Dalles, strengthened member services, increased destination marketing efforts, and helped support local economic activity throughout the region.

But numbers and job titles only tell part of Lisa’s story.

When Lisa first stepped into leadership at The Dalles Area Chamber, she inherited an organization facing real challenges. Membership was declining, and some businesses were questioning the value of belonging. Through persistence, hard work, and a deep belief in service, Lisa helped transform the Chamber into a growing, respected, service-oriented resource for the community.

That transformation was one of the reasons she was named the 2019 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce. That award recognized what many people in The Dalles already knew: Lisa was not simply managing an organization. She was building trust.

A Connector, Advocate, and Community Builder

Lisa became known as someone who could move between business owners, local government, tourism partners, community organizations, schools, and civic leaders. She worked in the spaces where ideas turn into action. She helped connect people who may not have otherwise found each other.

She advocated for business, but she also understood that a strong business community is tied to the strength of the whole community.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce exists to provide value through advocacy and leadership while promoting a positive environment for business, tourism, community, and education. Its membership represents business, industry, nonprofits, civic organizations, education, government, home-based businesses, and individuals. Lisa’s leadership helped carry that mission from words on a page into daily work.

There were ribbon cuttings, networking events, public meetings, tourism campaigns, board meetings, business visits, community celebrations, and probably more emails than anyone should ever have to answer in one lifetime.

There were early mornings, long days, complicated conversations, and moments when the work required patience, creativity, and a steady hand.

And Lisa brought all of that.

Leadership During Difficult Times

Lisa also led during moments when the community needed more than routine leadership.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa played a critical role in helping coordinate PPE, business support resources, relief efforts, and recovery assistance throughout Wasco County. At a time when many local businesses were overwhelmed and uncertain, Lisa helped make sure they were not left to figure it all out alone.

The Chamber also secured grant funding and developed outreach and training initiatives to support underserved business communities. Those efforts reflected one of Lisa’s greatest strengths: she understood that leadership is not just about speaking for the community when things are going well. It is about showing up when people are tired, worried, and unsure what comes next.

Helping Tell the Story of The Dalles

Lisa’s leadership also helped shape how The Dalles tells its story to the outside world.

Tourism has long been an important part of the Chamber’s work. The Dalles Area Chamber has managed tourism promotion for the city for decades and developed the Explore The Dalles brand. Through visitor hospitality, major events, cruise-ship coordination, media campaigns, content marketing, and tourism data reporting, the Chamber has helped bring attention to the beauty, history, recreation, and business community of The Dalles.

Lisa understood that promoting The Dalles was not just about bringing people here. It was about helping people see what locals already know: that The Dalles has history, beauty, grit, creativity, agriculture, recreation, small businesses, and a sense of place that cannot be manufactured.

She helped promote the city’s outdoor recreation, downtown character, tourism partnerships, and local business ecosystem. She also helped expand the Chamber’s support for businesses through training, marketing and advertising assistance, and guidance on issues that affect the local business environment.

Carrying Traditions Forward

And then there is the Northwest Cherry Festival.

For many people, the Cherry Festival is not just an event. It is part of the identity of The Dalles. It celebrates agriculture, community, downtown business, family fun, and the region’s proud cherry-growing heritage.

Lisa helped carry that tradition forward while also adapting it to new realities. When downtown construction required changes to the festival footprint, Lisa and the Chamber worked with the City to reimagine the event in a way that balanced celebration, economic impact, public safety, and the needs of nearby businesses.

That kind of work is not always glamorous. It means listening to concerns, making adjustments, taking criticism, protecting traditions, and still finding a way to move forward.

That has been one of Lisa’s strengths: she understands that leadership is not about avoiding hard things. It is about staying in the work long enough to find a responsible path through them.

A Leader Who Kept Learning

Lisa also never stopped learning.

In 2024, she graduated from the Western Association of Chamber Executives Academy, a three-year professional development program for Chamber executives and staff. She was one of 34 Chamber professionals in that graduating class, and W.A.C.E. also recognized her for 15 years of service in the Chamber industry.

Even after many years in the profession, Lisa continued sharpening her skills, evaluating the Chamber’s work, and looking for ways to better serve members.

She did not lead as though the old way was always good enough. She looked ahead. She asked questions. She evaluated. She adjusted. She cared about whether the Chamber was truly fulfilling its mission and vision. She knew that if the community was changing, the Chamber had to be willing to change with it.

Leaving a Strong Foundation

Lisa’s leadership has also been visible in the team she helped build.

As she prepares to retire from Chamber leadership, the organization has named Lynn Cox as incoming CEO, effective July 1, 2026. Lynn has worked closely with Lisa and the Chamber team in tourism operations, strategic planning, member engagement, and organizational leadership.

The Chamber has also announced Kristin Wilkins as the new Tourism Director, continuing the organization’s focus on tourism promotion, business partnerships, and community engagement.

That kind of transition matters. It shows that Lisa is not simply leaving a position. She is leaving a foundation.

A Legacy of Collaboration, Resilience, Advocacy, and Commitment

Lisa once said that serving the community, its businesses, and the Chamber has been one of the greatest honors of her career. She said she was proud of what had been built through collaboration, resilience, advocacy, and a shared commitment to The Dalles.

Those words feel like the perfect summary of her chapter.

Collaboration.
Resilience.
Advocacy.
Commitment.

That is Lisa Farquharson’s Chamber story.

It is the story of a leader who helped businesses feel supported. A connector who brought people to the table. A tourism advocate who helped tell The Dalles’ story. A professional who kept learning. A community champion who kept showing up. A CEO who left the organization stronger than she found it.