Kristi M. Howell-Ikeda-President/ CEO

 

Kristi Howell-Ikeda joined the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce as its President/CEO in December 2002 becoming the second executive of the organization in its 27 year history. Since 2002, Kristi has lead the Chamber’s growth including membership; budget and staff and a rebranding in 2003 to a modern logo. In addition, BCCOC has expanded its programming from twenty opportunities to over sixty annually. During her tenure BCCOC has expanded its outreach with new programs and  committee’s including Women In Business, the Military Relations Council, Young Professionals Network and Employment Practices. New programs include the Lunch N Learn Series, Savor the Flavor, Economic Development Outlooks, the State of the County Dinner and Women’s Business Conference to name a few. She is proud of the caliber of programs and speakers that BCCOC provides to the business community. In the past ten year’s BCCOC has created partnerships local business associations and regional organizations including the Builder’s League of South Jersey, the Southern New Jersey Development Council and the National Association of Women Business Owner’s – South Jersey. Most importantly, under her leadership, BCCOC has formed a strong relationship with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and has committed itself to supporting the base, the men and women who serve there, and the economic development that will keep it viable for years to come.

 

Kristi is very active in the Burlington County community serving on many board and committees. She was appointed by the Burlington County Board of Freeholders to the Burlington County Work Force Investment Board and the RiverRoute Advisory Committee. Howell-Ikeda serves on the board of Crossroad Programs, Inc.; the BCIT District Advisory Council; BCIT Foundation Board; the Soul Connect Advisory Board; the WIB’s Business Solutions Committee; the Burlington County Sheriff’s Gang Prevention Task Force; the YMCA of Burlington & Camden Counties Advocacy committee and is a founding member of Chamber’s United for Business Growth. In addition, she co-chairs the Joint Base Open House Foundation to raise funds for the Annual Open House and Air Expo at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and Relay for Life, Delran, NJ. She is actively involved in the Honorary Commander’s Program at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst and is a member of NAWBO-SJ.

 

She completed terms on the board of the Burlington Township Food Pantry and Moorestown Theater Company (MTC). In 2010, she served as Co-Chair of the MTC’s Extrava-Gala, made her stage debut in their Main Stage Production of “The Music Man”, where she received the Rookie of the Year Award. Since then she’s appeared in MTC’s Guy’s and Doll’s and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She has a passion for fundraising and has participated in many events to support local causes. In 2012, she was a celebrity guest chef at Big Brother’s Big Sister’s Cooking for Kid Sake and will be back in 2013. Her honors include “In the Bulls Eye” – Southern New Jersey Business People in June in 2009 and South Jersey Biz named Howell-Ikeda 20 under 40 and featured her on their cover June 2011. In 2006, Ms. Howell-Ikeda was named “Business Advocate of the Year” by the South Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business owners.