How Chambers of Commerce Drive Collaboration, Leadership, and Growth with Bret Schanzenbach
Recently, Blair Search Partners CEO, Trevor Blair, went live with Bret Schanzenbach, President and CEO, of Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, as part of our Building a Winning Team LinkedIn Live series.
Bret and Trevor’s conversation explored the critical role chambers of commerce play in driving collaboration, cultivating leadership, and fueling economic growth. Here are the key takeaways from their discussion—and why this matters for communities everywhere.
Meet Bret Schanzenbach
Bret Schanzenbach leads with a mission to uplift and connect. As President and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, he transforms his varied career—spanning psychology, sales, marketing, and real estate—into a platform for driving meaningful change.
Bret’s path to chamber leadership wasn’t a straight line. Reflecting on his journey, Bret shared, “Not too many people go to college with the idea of becoming a chamber executive because most people in college don’t know what that even is.”
Starting in psychology with plans to become a marriage and family counselor, Bret quickly pivoted after realizing counseling wasn’t the right fit. His career took him through sales, marketing, software startups, and real estate before volunteering at his local chamber as a residential realtor.
“Chambers make a positive impact on all sectors,” Bret emphasized. “We’re not just helping businesses; we’re helping communities thrive.”
“I joined my local chamber, got involved, volunteered in some things, and was asked to be on the board of directors,” he recalled. Eventually, he stepped into a leadership role and discovered a passion for the work. Nearly seventeen years later, Bret continues to channel his experiences to build bridges, strengthen communities, and make a lasting impact.
Leveraging Diverse Experiences
Bret’s journey towards chamber leadership highlights how a multifaceted background can be a powerful foundation. Reflecting on his experiences in real estate, sales, marketing, and software startups, Bret credited this variety as instrumental in shaping his approach.
“When you’re in real estate, you’re a bit of a solopreneur,” he shared. “It’s all dependent on your own book of business, and that experience is unique. Working in a corporate structure for a software business added another layer of learning, giving me insight into management and startup dynamics.”
These varied roles taught him adaptability and confidence—traits he encourages future leaders to develop. “All those different things helped form how I wanted to be as a leader,” Bret explained.
For those considering a career in chamber leadership, he shared additional practical advice:
- Start Small: Getting your foot in the door at a chamber by volunteering for committees or taking on entry-level roles can be great stepping stones.
- Engage Locally: Volunteering with your local chamber or serving on its board can give you valuable exposure.
- Invest in Professional Development: Many chambers offer internal training programs to help employees understand the full scope of chamber operations.
Trevor added that serving on a nonprofit board can also be an excellent stepping stone. “Board members gain a bird’s-eye view of how organizations operate,” he explained. “It’s one of the best ways to prepare for leadership roles.”
Engaging the Next Generation of Leaders
A recurring theme during the conversation was the importance of engaging the next generation of leaders. Bret shared his work mentoring students through California State University San Marcos’ Business 300 course, a program that equips students with practical skills like networking, resume building, and mock interviews, all while connecting them with local professionals.
Chambers of commerce play a similarly impactful role in empowering professionals at various stages of their careers. Trevor highlighted that the chamber’s greatest asset—its relationship currency—helps open doors and build connections for those seeking to grow or navigate challenges in their professional lives. Whether it’s guiding someone through a permit issue or facilitating introductions to key contacts, chambers serve as vital connectors, helping individuals and businesses alike thrive in their communities.
The Role of Nonprofits in Chamber Membership
Nonprofits are a cornerstone of chamber membership. In fact, Bret revealed that nonprofits and restaurants are the two largest membership sectors within the Carlsbad Chamber.
“Nonprofits are boots on the ground,” Bret said. “They’re making incredible things happen in our communities, and we’re here to amplify their impact. We absolutely love them, and we work really hard to get them that kind of exposure and the ability to share who they are, what they do, and to hopefully get more impact,” he explained.
A Diverse Economy Drives a Resilient Future
The conversation also touched on the economic resilience of North County San Diego, which Bret attributes to the region’s diverse industries. While acknowledging recent challenges—such as layoffs at some larger employers over the past 18 months—Bret remains optimistic.
“One of the things I think our county is blessed with is a diversity of industry,” Bret explained. “We have biotech, high tech, action sports, and more. When any one sector is hurting, it doesn’t necessarily bring the whole region down.”
He pointed to companies like Viasat and Thermo Fisher as examples of this resilience. Viasat recently secured a major contract, ensuring job stability and growth in Carlsbad. Meanwhile, Thermo Fisher has weathered the highs and lows of the pandemic and returned to a more stable business cycle.
“So there is a lot of, I would say, cautious optimism right now is what I see in our little slice of
San Diego County,” Bret noted. “Not diminishing that there have been some layoffs, not diminishing that there have been some shifting of things, but overall fairly stable and fairly, or at least cautiously optimistic going forward at this point.”
What’s Next
A huge shout out and thank you to Bret Schanzenbach for sharing his insights on how chambers of commerce drive collaboration, leadership, and economic growth while mentoring future leaders and supporting diverse industries.
Stay tuned on LinkedIn as we continue to meet with top experts in and around the nonprofit and public agency sectors to discuss relevant issues, grow our understanding of the challenges and opportunities in our workplaces, and uncover how leaders are Building a Winning Team.
If you’re curious about Blair Search Partners, on the hunt for a new role, or looking to fill positions in your organization, connect with us and let’s see what we can do together!