There’s a new smiling face in the Depot on Main Street in Clarion. Lydia Schroeder just started as the new Chamber Director, but she is already looking forward to having a big impact on the organization.
Schroeder spent her formative years in Clarion. She graduated from Clarion-Goldfield-Dows High School in 2016. Her parents Rod and Shannon run Wright Choice Chiropractic in town.
After graduating, Schroeder headed to Iowa Central where she obtained degrees in pastry and culinary arts in 2018. She then moved to Omaha and worked teaching culinary classes. Schroeder said that while she enjoyed the work, she was looking for a change in her career path at that point.
Then, as for many people in the food and hospitality industry, a worldwide pandemic threw a wrench into Schroeder’s career. However, she describes this as a blessing in disguise. “I had to step outside of my comfort zone and look for new opportunities.” For a while, this entailed working as a virtual assistant where she worked online from home.
Right around Thanksgiving, Schroeder learned of another opening that would push her in a new direction. Her parents, who are Clarion Chamber members, saw in the newsletter that the director position was open and encouraged her to apply. Schroeder admits she was nervous about doing that at first, but she submitted an application.
Fast forward several weeks and Lydia finds herself getting comfortable in her new role. She has spent the last few weeks training with outgoing director Ali Disney and learning the ropes. She recently introduced herself in the monthly newsletter and is looking forward to refamiliarizing herself with the community and its businesses in the upcoming weeks and months.
Schroeder says her biggest strengths lie in her tech savvy abilities. She is very comfortable using social media and hopes to expand the Chamber’s reach that way. “I want to use tools like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to connect to businesses and educate them about the great benefits of being a chamber member,” Schroeder emphasized.
She also describes herself as an organized, outgoing person. “I enjoy meeting new people and look forward to stopping in businesses in the future,” she asserted.
When the time comes for it, Schroeder also says she is looking forward to event planning. “In college, I hosted some major events and fundraisers, so I feel very comfortable with all the steps involved in that.” Though firm plans are still up in the air due to COVID, she has events like Festival in the Park in her sights.
The Chamber’s Board is also happy to have Schroeder in the position. Board President, Jordan Marker, stressed, “Lydia has a passion for small towns, small businesses and the importance of local and supporting local. Not only is that important every day, but now more than ever since this Pandemic. I feel the Chamber will have some exciting things happening and changing for the good for Clarion and we’re excited to have her part of it.”
When she’s not visiting businesses or working away at the Depot, Schroeder plans to stay busy. In her spare time, she enjoys antiquing, watching historical documentaries, and spending time with her family.
For now, Schroeder’s fire for the Chamber Director job is just starting to kindle. “I truly believe that small businesses are what keeps a town alive and together, and I’m going to work toward promoting those in whatever way I can,” she says. She encourages people to say hello if they see her out and about and inquire about the unique opportunities Chamber membership holds.
