Meet the Staff

As President, Kate is responsible for working with the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, community businesses and organizations, developing event and professional development programs.  She oversees the Chamber membership, marketing, member benefits, finance, strategic planning and government relations and coordinates activities for a staff of six. 

Kate joined the Chamber team in 2009, and has served our members in a variety of capacities – most recently as the Director of Member Engagement & Business Development.

Throughout her tenure at the Chamber, Kate has overseen the promotion of the Chamber’s brand and marketing efforts as well as the creation and production of the Chamber’s robust series of member programs and special events, including the Annual Dinner {with a twist} and Expo, Van Rensselaer Awards Dinner, Annual Golf Classic and Troy Victorian Stroll. In addition, she managed the Chamber’s award-wining Leadership Institute, a skills-based leadership program that utilizes a “learning from leaders” approach to strengthen and develop participants’ skill-sets as they advance professionally within their organizations.

A proud alum of Siena College, Kate holds a B.A. in English with a concentration in writing and philosophy. She is the 2013 recipient of the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region Resourceful Women’s Emerging Professional Award and a member of the Albany Business Review's 40 under 40 Class of 2017. Kate is an active board member of Unity House of Troy, Inc. and the Troy Business Improvement District.

Nancy Carmello is the Membership Coordinator at the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The primary responsibilities of this position are to support the Membership Manager in recruiting and retention of new and current businesses, as well as working with the Ambassador Committee and general office and staff assistance.

Nancy brings more than 20 years of Sales and Marketing experience to the Chamber.  She is a proud alumnus  of Siena College. She has worked in Marketing for a local lending institution assisting with new website design, editing, and maintaining their company social media.  She was an Employment Marketing Specialist for Northeast Career Planning and Placement - developing employment contracts and training opportunities for individuals with various disabilities. For many years, Nancy worked full time as an Associate Broker in residential real estate throughout the Capital Region and currently maintains her license.  In her spare time, Nancy enjoys reading, playing tennis and is in a Gourmet Cooking Club.

Nancy’s service and volunteer roles include serving on the Niskayuna Town’s Conservation Advisory Council since June 2014; Community Hospice Gala Committee for several years securing sponsorships and general fundraising; and Vice President/Socials Chair for Van Antwerp Middle School PTO.

Stephanie Fitch is the Controller for the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, a position she has held since November 2000. She is responsible for management of all internal financial operations of the Chamber including supervision of cash flow, audit of health insurance transactions, oversight of investments and preparation of the budget. Stephanie holds a B.S. in Finance from Siena College.

Rachael Lorimer is the Executive Assistant to the President and Office Manager. Her responsibilities include supporting the President, managing communications and planning for the Board and Executive Committees, managing our conference room schedule/maintenance, solving administrative puzzles of all sorts, and most importantly, making sure we never run out of coffee!  

Rachael received her BFA in 2006 from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, with a concentration in printmaking and writing. She lends her creative spark to her administrative career, where she's worked in non-profit and business settings in roles ranging from Office Manager, Continuing Education Registrar and Program Coordinator, to most recently as Support Staff for Vermont Legal Aid's Mental Health Law Project. Rachael is an abstract painter and print-maker and maintains an active art studio.  She is new to the Capital Region and enjoys painting, gardening, and exploring the area with her family.

As the Membership Manager, Elizabeth (Liz) McGarry has overall responsibility to expand the membership of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Working with current members and the Ambassador Committee, Liz invites area businesses and leaders to explore the value of membership of the Chamber.  Additionally, Liz works to cultivate current members to retain their membership through outreach and engagement efforts.  

Previous to her position with the Chamber, Liz spent nearly 20 years working in student engagement and leadership development in higher education.  A native of Syracuse, Liz is a proud graduate of Le Moyne College (Go Dolphins!) and the University at Albany.  Liz is an active parent volunteer at St. Pius X School in Loudonville and also serves on the board of the Junior League of Troy.  

Liz and her husband Luke McGarry live in Brunswick with their twins Hannah and Brendan. In her free time, Liz and her family enjoy various outdoor activities, exploring the area’s many locally owned restaurants and businesses, and spending time at summer fairs and farmer’s markets. 

Rachael Murray is the Chamber’s Events Coordinator. On average she plans 40-45 events throughout the 52 week calendar year.  Her responsibilities include planning and coordinating all Chamber events; identifying and securing sponsors; registration intake; confirming dates; retaining locations, caterers, rentals, speakers and vendors; assisting in development of creative collateral; and acting as the staff liaison for a variety of Chamber committees.

Rachael, originally from Troy, is an Ithaca College alum, holding a B.S. in Communication Management and Design with a concentration in Corporate Communication.  She is an active board member of The Arc of Rensselaer County Foundation.

Staci O'Neill is the Chamber's Communications & Web Strategies Manager. Her responsibilities include overseeing social media, e-newsletters, media releases, website maintenance, assisting with marketing and development of collateral, co-editing the monthly print newsletter, coordination of business ribbon cuttings, grand openings and milestone celebrations and producing the Get To Know Our Member videos. Staci also manages The Leadership Institute, which she is a proud graduate of the Class of 2017.

Prior to joining the Chamber, Staci worked for the Monroe County Sports Commission in Rochester, NY, where she was the Manager of Creative Marketing & Communications. A 2009 graduate of Marist College, Staci holds a B.A. of Communications with a public relations concentration and business minor. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her dog, cooking and taking day-trip adventures.