Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce Announces Melissa Mallinson as Executive Director

Oak Park, IL — The Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Mallinson as its next Executive Director.

Mallinson was selected through a competitive search process that attracted a strong pool of candidates. Following multiple rounds of interviews and a rigorous evaluation process, she was chosen for her depth of experience, strategic leadership, and clear vision for the Chamber’s future.

Mallinson brings more than 25 years of nonprofit management experience, including leadership roles in large-scale membership organizations. She holds an MBA from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a certificate in nonprofit management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

A familiar and trusted presence within the Chamber community, Mallinson has served as Director of Programming and Membership since February 2025. In that role, she demonstrated exceptional program leadership, enhanced member engagement, and built strong relationships across the local business community.

Her deep institutional knowledge, combined with her collaborative and forward-looking leadership style, positions her as an exceptional leader to guide the Chamber’s continued growth and impact supporting the Oak Park and River Forest business communities.

“I’m honored to step into the role of Executive Director and continue serving a community I care deeply about. The Chamber plays a vital role in connecting and supporting our local businesses, and I’m excited to build on the strong foundation already in place. As a River Forest resident myself, I look forward to working alongside our members, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen our business community and advance a shared vision for long-term economic vitality,” said Mallinson.

“Melissa is the right leader for the Chamber at this time. Her combination of keen insight, operational expertise, and first-hand understanding of our community uniquely positions her to guide the organization into its next chapter. The Board is excited to support her leadership as we continue to strengthen and grow our impact,” said Esther Grachan, Board President.

Mallinson assumed the Executive Director role in mid-April and has already hit the ground running, working closely with Chamber leadership, staff, and community partners to advance the organization’s mission of fostering a vibrant, connected, and resilient local business environment.

About the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce

The Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and advocating for local businesses. Through programming, events, and strategic partnerships, the Chamber works to strengthen the economic vitality and quality of life in the Oak Park and River Forest communities.