WORCESTER, March 5 – It is with great pleasure that the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce announces the hiring of Emily Gowdey-Backus as the Director of Communications effective Feb. 19.

In this position, Ms. Gowdey-Backus will act as editor of the Chamber’s quarterly newspaper, Chamber Exchangeworking with members and community voices to cover the stories and news which drive the Central Massachusetts business community.

Additionally, she is the voice behind the Chamber’s five main social media platforms – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Scheduling and hosting of the Chamber’s radio show is also under Gowdey-Backus’ purview. While Chamber President and CEO Timothy P. Murray will continue to host Chamber Exchange: The TV Show, management of and scheduling guests will be overseen by Gowdey-Backus.

She will also attend and cover Chamber events, assist with the organization’s website content, and support other departments as needed.

“We are increasingly aware of the need for local news coverage and the community’s desire for it,” said Timothy P. Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The work that our members do on a daily basis to provide jobs, create community, and strengthen our regional economy is a story worth telling and we are using every avenue that we can to do just that.”

Chamber vice president of marketing, communications, programs, and events, Sharyn Williams, added, “Having Emily onboard increases our ability to communicate even more with our members and the general public. So much is happening in the region and the Chamber is actively involved in much of the economic activity and we want people to know that and benefit from it. Worcester is a great place to be and with her help, the Chamber will tell our story well beyond the region.”

A native of Burlington, Conn., Gowdey-Backus comes to the Chamber after three years reporting for the Providence Business News in Providence, R.I. Prior to that she freelanced for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Gowdey-Backus received her bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and holds a master’s degree in international journalism from Cardiff University in Wales. While there, during the height of the Syrian refugee exodus to Europe in 2014-15, she interviewed and wrote about Syrian refugees and analyzed European countries’ immigration policies to show how the legislation was failing the diasporic crisis.

She has also covered education, workforce development, nonprofits, philanthropy, hospitality, and tourism.

The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce is the largest Chamber in New England serving more than 2,200 members in 35 cities and towns in Central Massachusetts through its affiliation with 5 Chamber partners: Auburn, Blackstone Valley, Central Mass South, Wachusett Area and Webster Dudley Oxford.

In partnership with our members, affiliate chambers, and network of stakeholders, the Chamber is advancing a “Recruit, Retain and Incubate” agenda to grow the region’s business community and jobs, nurture a trained and qualified workforce, and create a desirable region in which to live and work.

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