Beverly Robertson has been named the interim president and chief executive officer of the Greater Memphis Chamber by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Robertson will officially step into that position on January 2, 2019. She is building on the legacy left by Phil Trenary, who passed away on September 27. She will be the first female president of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
“In addition to her extensive experience at the helm of an internationally recognized nonprofit organization, Beverly’s leadership experience in both corporate America and small business make her a perfect fit for the organization,” said Richard W. Smith, Chairman for the Chamber and President & CEO, FedEx Trade Networks, Inc. “She understands the needs of our membership and our community and we believe she is the right person at the right time to continue the work that we’ve started. Our city has tremendous momentum and I expect under Beverly’s watch, the Chamber will continue to be a strong voice of positive change in our community.”
Robertson is a Memphian born and bred. She worked at Holiday Inn Worldwide for 19 years in a diverse range of positions. Upon leaving Corporate America, she was asked to become interim executive director of the National Civil Rights Museum and ultimately spent over 17 years as museum leader and president. She raised over $43 million during her tenure and built the annual Freedom Awards to global prominence including visiting President Nelson Mandela in his South African home to personally appeal to him to attend the ceremony. She helped lead the museum to world-class status, becoming accredited by the American Association of Museums, being voted one of the Top Ten Treasures in America by USA Today and one of the World’s Top 10 Most Iconic Sites.
“I love my city and I believe that Memphis’ best days are ahead,” Robertson said. “I am honored to work with the strong leadership team that Phil put in place at the Chamber and I look forward to working in collaboration with our business and government leaders, helping to retain and attract good jobs and to help The Chamber realize one of its primary goals of opportunity for all.”
Robertson completed the Executive Leadership and Management Graduate level program though the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and she completed the prestigious Getty Museum Leadership Institute in Los Angeles. She serves on a number of community and national boards and works with a diverse range of nonprofits across Memphis and the surrounding communities. She and her husband have three adult children and one granddaughter.
