Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber chair named national Affiliate Leader of the Year

Tracey Dean, the chair of the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, was named the Affiliate Leader of the Year by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce at their annual gala, this year held in Kissamee, Fla.

The Utah Chamber joined the NGLCC in 2018 under Dean’s leadership. “Our inclusion in this organization is a major step in the right direction for Utah’s LGBT community as we now gain recognition and support on a national level,” Dean wrote at the time. “The NGLCC is the business voice of the U.S. LGBT community and is the largest global notfor-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people.”

Also under Dean’s leadership, the group changed their name from Utah Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, a nod to inclusion of the greater LGBTQ+ community.

Dean was successful in growing the membership of the Chamber by over 150 percent.

“As a business owner myself, I was looking for places to network and found I didn’t really ‘fit in’ with the traditional Chambers or other organizations. Knowing that networking is critical to business growth-I sought out alternatives and found the LGBTQ+

Chamber,” Dean said. “I was asked to join the board to expand gender diversity and I found that I had a lot of ideas — most were good (laughs).

“Being able to drive the conversation and strategize on helping small businesses grow is my passion,” Dean said.

Dean’s greatest accomplishment with the Chamber might be its collaboration with other local minority Chambers.

“Early on, we recognized that a lot of chambers, business alliance, and networking groups were doing similar events appealing to overlapping audiences. So we formed strategic alliances to share resources to achieve greater impact,” she said.

Dean said she gaines more with the Utah Chamber than she ever imagined.

“I believe I have had impact in my community, helping to develop underserved businesses, forming long lasting friendships, learning effective speaking skills, leading a group of committed volunteers, advancing the work of those who came before me, and promoting the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion. That has been more meaningful and satisfying than I can express in words,” she said. Dean invites business owners to join the Chamber. “We host events throughout the year. In person, online, morning, midday and evening,” she said. “Next up is a celebration of the season with Living Color Utah on Saturday, December 4th from 6 to 9 p.m. at Duvin Pintor in Trolley Square.

Info at utahlgbtqchamber.org.