THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH
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QUEENS CHAMBER STAFF PROFILES is the best piece of advice you’ve ever VICKY FERREIRA What been given? When I was growing up in Para-
How long have you been with the Chamber? My association with the Chamber began in 2013 through a projected Business Improvement District (BID) on Roosevelt Avenue. At the end of the project, I joined the Chamber in 2015. Previous Job: I worked as a journalist in Paraguay for over 20 years before emigrating and switching careers.
JOANNE PERSAD
guay my high school principal told me no matter what I do give it my best, someone will notice. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team? Willingness to learn and develop understanding for different cultures and values and respect those differences. Favorite music genre? Pop, oldies, classic.
What’s the most inspiring part of your job? The courage and determination I see in people, most of them immigrants, who after years of hard work end up owning the business where they worked. Name one thing you hope to accomplish in 2021: Start a minimalist lifestyle. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? The French filmmaker and activist Agnes Varda and maybe my young self. It could be fun, and also I would give some advice to a 20-year-old me.
RICHARD GREBINGER How long have you been with the Chamber? Since May of 2018. Previous Job: Project Manager/Public Relations with Waste Management. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? Always appreciate the small things in life. What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team? This is a great place to work, learn and grow. Favorite music genre? Soca & Reggae What’s the most inspiring part of your job? Everything about my job inspires me, from the people I work with to the businesses we work for. Name one thing you hope to accomplish in 2021: Work on my photography skills. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Eminem
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How long have you been with the Chamber? I have been associated with the Chamber since 1982. When I graduated Queens College my first job was with a CPA firm that performed the annual certified audit for the Chamber. From that point forward, I worked with the Chamber as the outside CPA and currently part time CFO. Previous Job: Self-employed Certified Public Accountant What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Be kind to the people you meet on the way up because you will meet the same people on the way down.” What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team? Take advantage of the opportunity to work with an outstanding staff and interact with membership as often as possible so you can learn from some of the finest business leaders in the community. Favorite music genre? Rock, Classical, Blues What’s the most inspiring part of your job? The most inspiring part of my job at the Chamber is the chance to work with a diverse group of dedicated, hardworking, and exceptionally talented individuals to provide valuable resources to the business community in the borough.
Name one thing you hope to accomplish in 2021: For 2021 and every year I would like to make a positive difference in the life of one individual. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Oskar Schindler
