Charlottesville regional chamber names prez and CEO

Natalie S. Masri will assume the role of president and CEO of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 1, the chamber announced Tuesday.

She succeeds Andrea Copeland, who has served as the chamber’s interim president since February and will become the chamber’s chief operating officer.

Masri most recently founded Brave May LLC, a consulting firm focused on corporate social responsibility, women’s economic empowerment, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center was a client of the firm.

“I am honored to lead the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce,” Masri said in a statement. “Having worked with chambers around the country as they tackle local challenges, I’m eager to apply those lessons in my home community.”

Masri held various roles with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 2004 through 2016, culminating in spearheading the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Women in Business as a senior director of special projects.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Calgary, in Canada.

Copeland began volunteering with Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Corps in 2007 and joined the chamber staff in 2012 as director of member education services and of the chamber’s Leadership Charlottesville program until 2020, when she became the Committee Engagement Director.

Copeland holds an associate degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College and a bachelor’s from Old Dominion University.

The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has about 680 members, primarily located in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.