Updated: October 17, 2022
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2022 Outstanding Women in Business
Outstanding Women in Business: Pelletier connects the business community together
Photo | Matthew Wright
Karen Pelletier
By Susan Shalhoub
As executive vice president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Karen Pelletier has had a central theme in her career: Connections.
She has connected her personal love of Worcester with a career, sharing that enthusiasm with others as part of her role at the chamber, as well as serving as a leader and mentor. She makes it a daily practice to connect people, facilitating introductions, especially among women.
It was a graduate degree that first brought Pelletier to Massachusetts.
Having grown up in Maine and after earning a master’s degree in teaching from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, Pelletier moved to Worcester in 2000. She accepted a job in administration at Assumption University.
Raised in a rural area, Worcester’s different cultures, variety of activities, and ethnic foods were all new.
“Where I was from, there was only The Sizzler,” she said with a laugh, adding that these days, places like El Basha restaurant are more her style.
As it worked out, exploring the city wasn’t just an enjoyable endeavor, it was time well spent on the career front. Following a stint as director of student affairs at Colleges of Worcester Consortium from 2007 to 2013, Pelletier became chamber executive vice president.
“And at the chamber, selling the city is our role,” she said. “I work in helping people new to the area, like college students and company recruiters, learn about Worcester. This city has so many different neighborhoods and so much to offer.”
Pelletier has brought more than enthusiasm about Worcester to her position at New England’s largest chamber of commerce, with more than 2,000 members and 12 staff members. She’s brought results, creating strategic partnerships that benefit members. Within five years, her work in securing sponsorships to fund the chamber’s operating budget increased revenue by 34%.
“She’s a forward-thinking planner and very efficient,” said Timothy Murray, chamber president and CEO. “Karen runs our Women’s Leadership Conference as well as our Leadership Worcester program,” which connects new professionals with skills development.
“Karen is crucial in helping to take down barriers critical to keep the economy moving here,” Murray said.
Pelletier wasn’t in her role at the chamber too long before she realized it is a networking organization, and that men and women network differently.
“Women are more hesitant to introduce people to one another if they have a need or something in common,” she said. “Men are more casual about it, while women think if something doesn’t work out, an introduction is going to reflect badly on them. I want that to change.”
Pelletier makes introductions on a regular basis, mostly for work, sometimes for friendships.
One successful introduction was digital media strategist Giselle Rivera-Flores, who then handled social media for the campaign of 1st District Massachusetts State Senate candidate Robyn Kennedy.
“I started telling women to ‘Network like a man,’” Pelletier said. “It doesn’t have to be a big thing.”
Introductions are one way Pelletier puts her leadership into action. In addition to Leadership Worcester and Worcester Women’s Leadership conferences, she has been at the forefront of Worcester Youth Leadership Institute and StartUp Worcester, a program for entrepreneurs.
A career high for Pelletier? The chamber’s service to the Worcester community during the COVID pandemic. The chamber opened up services to nonmembers and issued federal Paycheck Protection Program loans to small businesses. Staffers called 900 members at the start of COVID to assess need.
“Members were so grateful,” she said, “to us and to each other.”
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