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LEADERSHIP Business Leader Profiles
Debra Shantz Hart (left) was the fourth woman to serve as chair of the chamber board. Logan Aguirre (right) will be the sixth woman chair in 2021.
A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP The Springfield Chamber has only had four women serve as the chair of the board. The fifth, Robin Robeson, stepped into that role in 2020, and in 2021, she’ll be followed by Logan Aguirre, president and associate publisher of 417 Magazine. To learn about the progress the chamber has made when it comes to diversity Logan and Debra Shantz Hart, owner of Housing Plus LLC and the fourth woman to serve as chair of the board, met up to talk about the past, present and future. BY ETTIE BERNEKING
LOGAN AGUIRRE: I feel like I’ve ust always known you. nce you’re introduced to someone, you see them everywhere
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THE CENTENNIAL
DEBRA SHANTZ HART: I think we first met when we were introduced at a workout class at an inney. hen a few weeks after that, I saw you out, and you were gorgeous. ou were dressed in real clothes, and I thought, Wow that Logan has it going on. L.A.: hat’s right hen when the chamber first asked me to consider the board chairmanship, I asked you to go to lunch so I could hear your perspective. She got me very e cited.
BERNEKING: What were you nervous about with the role? L.A.: I asked her if there was anything she didn’t know going into it that she wished she knew and what it was like to balance life, work and the chamber. nd because I’m perceived as younger, how did she think that would be received. D.H.: Well, I’ll be honest. It’s easy to sell the chamber. It’s a great organi ation. It helps iden-
Photo by Brandon Alms
ETTIE BERNEKING: I know the two of you are not officially mentor and mentee, but Logan, you’ve turned to Debra to learn more about what to expect in your upcoming year as chair of the board. So how did the two of you meet in the first place?
