Anissa Starnes, IOM, is joining the YGM Total Resource Campaigns, LLC, team as Chief Impact Officer, YGM President and CEO Jason E. Ebey, IOM, announced today.

“We are beyond thrilled to have Anissa as part of the YGM team,” Ebey says. “Anissa has the respect of chamber professionals across the nation through her experience in and providing resource for the chamber world. She is going to be a tremendous asset to YGM and for our chamber partners.”

“I am so excited to be joining the YGM team and family,” Starnes says. “It’s a real honor for me to have this opportunity. Over the years, I have seen many chambers that have been able to change their entire trajectory after engaging in a successful TRC campaign, and I can’t wait to get started helping others do the same.” 

Starnes has more than 30 years of experience in the chamber of commerce and nonprofit industries. Prior to joining YGM, she served as the Vice President for member Engagement for the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). She has run her own consultancy, Swingbridge Partners, where she focused on executive searches, strategic planning, board development, and public speaking for groups of all sizes.

YGM Total Resource Campaigns, LLC, partners with chambers of commerce to conduct Total Resource Campaigns. A Total Resource Campaign (TRC) develops the leadership and financial resources of a chamber of commerce through an all-volunteer campaign by securing business sponsors for the chamber’s comprehensive program of work.

“Anissa’s history and skill set make her a perfect fit for YGM,” Ebey says. “We are excited for her to begin interacting with our chamber partners.”

Starnes will be assisting YGM chamber partners implement and grow their TRCs, expanding YGM’s sponsorship development offerings, and providing additional content for YGM webinars, ‘TRC Talks’ (YGM’s online sponsorship development talk show via Facebook Live), blogs, and chamber association presentations.

With Starnes’ history with Swingbridge, YGM will now expand its offerings to executive searches through Starnes’ expertise.  

“When we say YGM does ‘Total Resource Campaigns,’ we mean we focus on the totality of what a chamber does,” Ebey says. “This is just a continuation of that. Executive searches are vital to chambers, and we are pleased to be able to provide this service to chambers, especially when the searches will be led by someone with Anissa’s experience.”

“I have been a friend and colleague of YGM President and CEO, Jason E. Ebey, for many years, and the timing is right for us to join forces and to expand the YGM service offerings in new and innovative ways,” Starnes says. “I suspect we will have some fun along the way, as well.”  

Starnes is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management program and South Carolina Economic Development School at the College of Charleston. She serves as a member of faculty of the Institute for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has taught classes at all four sites.

Starnes’ background also included time as President/CEO for the well-known girl’s empowerment nonprofit, Girls on the Run International and Director of National Organizations with Constant Contact, where she oversaw the partnership of more than 4,500 chambers. While at Constant Contact, she educated more than 35,000 nonprofits, chambers, and small businesses on communications and marketing.

Starnes may be reached at YGM at: anissa@ygmtrc.com.