SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — After seven years as VP of the board of directors of the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), board members felt it was time for Kelly Chezum to lead the group.

The board’s vote makes Chezum the first woman to serve as board president in ANCA’s 67-year history, the organization said in its Oct. 7 announcement. 

Chezum serves as VP of external relations at Clarkson University in Potsdam in St. Lawrence County. She succeeds the outgoing chair, Jim Sonneborn.

“We are so grateful to have Kelly at the helm during this exciting time at ANCA,” Elizabeth Cooper, executive director of ANCA, said. “During her 11 years on our board, Kelly has been an instrumental team member who consistently demonstrates remarkable leadership, insight and open-mindedness. She is a strong leader and positive example for our board and staff as we work together to grow economic opportunities throughout the Adirondack North Country.”

Chezum joined the ANCA board in 2011 and has over 25 years of experience as a creative marketing professional and administrator in the public, private, nonprofit, and government sectors.

“The Adirondack North Country is a special place for residents and visitors alike,” Chezum said. “ANCA’s energetic team collaborates with local communities to have a positive economic impact. It’s an organization that makes a real difference. As a board member supporting ANCA’s mission, it’s important to me — as a parent as well as a colleague and local business patron — that we have opportunities to advance the quality of life for our friends and neighbors and create opportunity and prosperity for future generations.”   

The ANCA board also confirmed a new slate of officers and one new board member at its quarterly meeting held Sept. 23. The meeting directly preceded ANCA’s annual meeting at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, where more than 120 people gathered to learn about the organization’s current programming and impacts. 

In addition to Chezum, officers include Noah Shaw of the New York City office of Foley Hoag LLP as VP; J. Daniel Mohr of Adirondack Bank as treasurer; and Katie Malinowski of Tug Hill Commission as secretary. 

Antonio DeSpirito, managing director of BlackRock and chief investment officer of its U.S. Fundamental Active Equity program, was elected as ANCA’s newest board member, ANCA said. 

About Chezum

In addition to her volunteer leadership role at ANCA, Chezum served as past education program chair for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) at the United Nations, where she received WED’s Education Pioneer Award in 2016, per the ANCA announcement. 

Chezum is a member of the Adirondack Global Sports Commission, whose planning has advanced international tourism opportunities like the International Children’s Games and 2023 World University Games. She is also a director for the Public Policy Institute for the New York State Business Council and a member of the education committee for the New York State Economic Development Corporation and serves on several local chamber boards. 

Chezum’s professional experience includes marketing, book and magazine publishing, direct-mail campaigns, public relations, grant writing, and strategic planning. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Carroll University in Wisconsin and an MBA from Clarkson University. Chezum also earned a doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University in Boston.