Gilbert chamber president details journey to business leadership role

For the past three years, Sarah Watts has led the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce as its president and CEO.

In that role, Watts acts as an advocate for businesses in town, helps them network and gain resources and helps celebrate their accomplishments.

Watts, who was raised in the Valley, got her degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

After college, she worked as a food drive coordinator at St. Mary’s Food Bank, then an executive assistant at a healthcare industry company before joining the chamber as an executive assistant in 2008. There, she worked her way up to workforce and communinty partnerships vice president before the board selected her to replace Kathy Tilque, her mother-in-law, upon Tilque’s retirement from the chamber in 2020.

• What did you want to be as a child? A flight attendant. I still want to be a flight attendant someday!

• What do you most cherish from your childhood? The bond I shared with my grandfather. He believed in me and supported every dream I had.

• What is something most people don’t know about you? I am married to my high school sweetheart. We met while attending Chandler High School and have been together for 26 years.

• Character trait you’re most proud of? My ability to listen and seek understanding of various viewpoints and opinions. I love learning about personal journeys and understanding how those journeys shape who they are today.

• What’s your favorite vacation spot? Maui — Kaanapali Beach is my happy place.

• What do you do in your downtime? I have two very active kiddos, so my downtime is spent running them between activities and attending their performances and games. When I do find some me-time, I enjoy time with my girlfriends.

• How did you meet your husband? We met in high school. We were both in the marching band at Chandler High.

• How did you get into your career? I was hired in a temporary position in 2008 to help design a new position. It turns out I loved the organization and its mission. I have loved working in the Chamber industry and have connected with Chamber professionals turned friends across the country. I serve on the Board of Directors of Arizona Chamber Executives and am honored to work alongside other amazing Chamber practitioners.

• At the end of the day, what brings you the most joy? Knowing everyone in my family is happy and healthy, that everyone is home safe, and that we are all supportive of one another.

• What advice would you give to today’s youth? Don’t rush things! It is okay NOT to know who you are, your profession, your journey, and how you will get where you are going. Find comfort in just doing the next right thing and letting things play out as they will.

• What are the opportunities you see in your community? As we near buildout in our community, I think careful planning is key. What we enjoy today is the result of decades of past planning, and what will come tomorrow will result from the work put in today. I also see the opportunity further to support business growth and workforce development through partnerships with key stakeholders.

• How do you want to be remembered? I hope to be remembered for wholeheartedly loving and serving my family and community.

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