SGF Insider

Join us for a conversation with Logan Aguirre, Publisher of 417 Magazine! Tune in as we talk about bringing your unique energy to #417land, recap this year's Ladies Who Launch event, Logan's recent sabbatical, and more. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In the September edition of SGF Business Insider, the Chamber's Digital Communications Manager,  Noah Hester , shares audio from a fascinating conversation among community members highlighting how and why we should Celebrate Springfield from our recent Good Morning, Springfield.  The conversation was moderated by Matt Morrow , Chamber president, and featured the following community leaders: Erin D...

Join us for a conversation with Erin Danastasio, Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation and Co-Chair of Celebrate Springfield! Tune in as we talk all about Celebrate Springfield, how to enjoy the best Springfield has to offer this fall, and living a philanthropic life. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.  

In the August edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President,  Matt Morrow , sits down with the new Executive Director of Regionalism and Economic Development Dean Thompson , and our new Vice President of Communications, Tiffany Batdorf .  Thompson and Batdorf discuss economic development, regionalism, and communicating the Chamber's message to the community.

Join us for our conversation with Leadership Springfield's six outgoing board members, Mandy Anthes, Monica Horton, Krista Shurtz, Kathy Smith, Larry Stock, and Tony Vienhage. Tune in as we talk about their experience on the LeadSGF board and what board service means to them. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

Join us for a conversation with Francine Pratt, Director of Prosper Springfield! Tune in as we talk about what Prosper Springfield is, the progress of our community's efforts to reduce poverty rates, and what sets Springfield apart. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

Join us for a conversation with Bridget Bechtel, Executive Director of Sculpture Walk Springfield! Tune in as we talk about public art and art accessibility, creating a museum without walls, and the benefits of a thriving arts community. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes

In the May edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President, Matt Morrow , sits down with the new President/CEO of the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mark Hecquet . For the past 16 years, Hecquet led the Butler County Visitors Bureau in Ohio where he oversaw community engagement initiatives and several development projects, including the $165 million sports facility, Spooky Nook. Hecq...

Join us for a conversation with Kaitlyn McConnell, Founder of Ozarks Alive. Tune in as we talk about the Ozarks, pursuing passion projects, and cultural preservation. Special thanks to Mercy for sponsoring the LeadSGF "Plugged In" episodes in 2023.

In the April edition of SGF Business Insider, the Chamber's Digital Communications Manager, Noah Hester , shares audio from a Q and A session with the finalists for the 2023 W. Curtis Strube Small Business Award at our recent Good Morning, Springfield.  These companies exemplify the hard work, innovation and resilience that the Springfield region's small businesses are so well known for. The Q and...

Join us for a conversation with Lisa Langley with the League of Women Voters of Southwest Missouri about the formation and mission of the Informed Voter Coalition. Then hear interviews with SPS school board candidates hosted by OTC and produced by the coalition. Tune in as we talk about educating voters and engaging candidates with citizens.  Special thanks to Mercy for sponsoring the Leadership S...

In this month's episode, Chamber President, Matt Morrow, sits down with the 2023 ATHENA recipient Stephanie Stenger and Virginia Fry Rising Star recipient Heather Hardinger. The ATHENA Award is given to someone who has spent their career empowering women to achieve greatness and improving the quality of life for others in the community. The Virginia Fry Rising Star Award is given to a young profes...

Join us for a conversation with Christine Peoples, Timmons Hall Education Coordinator with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board. Tune in as we talk about the collaboration and purpose-driven focus on history, culture, and education happening in our community. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes

In the February edition of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President, Matt Morrow , sits down with Senator Lincoln Hough and Representative Alex Riley . Lincoln Hough represents District 30 in the Missouri Senate, and Alex Riley represents District 134 in the Missouri House of Representatives.  Hough and Riley discuss what's on the horizon at the start of the 2023 state legislative session - and in...

Join us for an insider's look at our Leadership Springfield team! Tune in as we talk about the real-life application of a strengths-based team and how we leverage our strengths in our day-to-day operations. Special thanks to Mercy Hospital Springfield for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In the January edition of SGF Business Insider, the Chamber's Digital Communications Manager, Noah Hester , shares audio from a panel interview with local manufacturing leaders featured at our recent Manufacturing Outlook.  This event is an opportunity to hear how manufacturers are pivoting to adapt to a new normal in their industry - from managing supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages...

Join us for a conversation with with Holly Beadle, Director of Philanthropic Services at Community Foundation of the Ozarks, and Diane Drollinger, President and CEO of the Network for Strong Communities. Tune in for a discussion about building capacity and the power of service in our community Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes in 20...

In this month's episode of  SGF Business Insider, Chamber president Matt Morrow sits down with Brandi Bailey and David Cameron . Bailey is the Vice President of Strategic Development & Marketing at Snyder Construction Group and Cameron is the City Administrator at the City of Republic. Bailey and Cameron discuss insights from their recent Community Leadership Visit to Northwest Arkansas. Topics in...

Join us for a conversation with Brent Baker, Vice President - Chief Customer Officer, and Stephanie O'Connor, Vice President - Chief Information & People Officer, with City Utilities. Tune in for a discussion all about transportation in our community, leading teams, and how personal connections between our transit system and community members help make things run smoothly.

In the November edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow is joined by our Membership Development Manager Peyton Andrews in a conversation with Tom Douglas . Douglas is the CEO of JMARK and the author of the new book Adapt or Die. Douglas shares actionable insights from his new book and lessons learned from years of executive leadership. Podcast recorded via Zoom due t...

Join us for a conversation with Jan Kraft, Executive Director of Abilities First, and Jamie McGranahan, Program Manager at Art Inspired Academy with Abilities First. Tune in as we talk about the inspiration and heart behind the mission of their organizations.

In the October edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow sits down with Erin Danastasio and Mary Kromrey . Danastasio is the Executive Director of the Hatch Foundation and Kromrey is the Executive Director of Ozark Greenways. Danastasio and Kromrey discuss topics centered around defining, taking pride in, and celebrating the assets of our community; and creating a vibr...

Join us for a conversation with Christina Ford, owner of Kids Inn Child Care Center and founder and director of The Rebound Foundation. Tune in as we talk about how to see a need and fill a need in your community. Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

In the September edition of SGF Business Insider podcast, Chamber president Matt Morrow is joined by our public policy analyst Lauren Mustoe in a conversation with two impactful non-profit leaders in the community, Brian Fogle and Brandy Harris. Fogle is the President of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and Harris is the CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. They share the twists and tur...

Join us for a conversation with David Burton, County Engagement Specialist in Community Development at the University of Missouri Extension. Tune in as we talk about being an engaged neighbor and learn what we can do to make an impact right in our backyard.