Amanda Blackwood commenced her role as President and CEO of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce (Metro Chamber) on May 1, 2018. She is the first female President and CEO of the Metro Chamber, serving in a full-time capacity, in its 127+ year history. As President and CEO, Amanda has continued to lead the strategic direction, vision, culture, and business operations of the Metro Chamber, and tirelessly advocates for issues and programs that support the economic success of our valued business members in the six-county Capital City region. Under Amanda’s capable leadership, the Metro Chamber’s FOR BUSINESS focused strategy is centered on three core values: being mission-driven, collaborative, and growth-oriented. She oversees the Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Metro-PAC (the largest local business focused political action committee), the Metro Chamber Foundation representing more than 500 young professional members, the Metro Business Center (launching in January 2022), and the Northern California World Trade Center. Amanda is sought out by municipalities, such as the City of Sacramento, as a regional business thought leader to serve on commissions and as an advisor to top leadership. Amanda has leveraged her tremendous collaborative instincts by bringing together many of the Sacramento Region’s economic development partners, including the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Valley Vision, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and other local/ethnic chambers, to jointly develop strategies for the benefit of all those involved.
Before joining the Metro Chamber, Blackwood served as owner and managing partner of OE Consulting Group, a women-owned and led firm established in 2014 that works with both for and nonprofit clients to provide strategic solutions for talent management and business process challenges.
Blackwood’s career spans both the private and nonprofit sectors with a strong focus on financial management, including her past role as CFO for Folsom Asset Management, Inc. (FAM) during which time she oversaw a multi-million dollar real estate fund in three markets and 13 active companies. Under her leadership, FAM won the Sacramento Business Journal’s Best Place to Work Award in 2013. Blackwood’s experience in operations and driving the growth of a company includes time served as the chief development officer for Elevation Entertainment Group, where she provided leadership to ensure effective, efficient and culturally aligned operations for a statewide, multi-location, 700 team member workforce.
Before going into the private sector, Blackwood spent two years with the Rental Housing Association, a membership-based nonprofit trade group for the rental industry. There she specialized in membership recruitment and retention as well as the profitable execution of an array of large-scale events, government affairs initiatives, educational programs and the management of all accounting and financial reporting.
Her passion for economic development and community investment has driven Blackwood to devote time and expertise to multiple regional boards and projects. Her experience working with chambers includes serving on the board of directors for the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce, including serving as board chair in 2018. She has supported the growth of local entrepreneurship by serving on the committee for Valley Vision’s SlingShot project, vice chair of Greater Sacramento Economic Council’s Young Professional Board and is a past president of Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program Alumni Association. She currently sits on the boards or commissions of Sacramento Works, Visit Sacramento, Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Mayors’ Climate Commission, Metro-PAC, and the city of Sacramento Measure U Advisory Committee and Investment Committee as Co-Chair.
Awards:
- In 2020, she was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal for their “Most Admired CEOs” and “Women Who Mean Business” awards.
- She was recently recognized by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) for their prestigious “40 Under 40” awards.
Speaking & Related Engagements:
- Amanda is a Senior Fellow for Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program and the American Leadership Forum and frequent public speaker, including for the California Department of Human Resources and Girl Scouts USA.
- Amanda spoke at the Vistage conference regarding economic inclusion and importance of women as we navigate COVID triage and recovery.
- Amanda was a judge and mentor for The Power of SHE – an entrepreneur incubator for women of color.
- Amanda has been a vocal advocate for the Blue Ribbon Commission on the Status of Women and Girls for the County of Sacramento.
- Amanda was featured as an Authentic Leader in Action in Comstock’s Magazine and has been interviewed multiple times in key business publication and by media outlets for her perspectives on economic recovery, business leadership, and the trajectory of success for our region.