Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Borja.
Danielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Born and raised in Thousand Oaks, I pursued my higher education locally, starting at Moorpark College before earning a degree in Marketing Communications from California Lutheran University. During my Junior year, I landed an internship with a large retail shopping center, which unexpectedly changed management shortly after my arrival. Later that week, I received a call at my restaurant job from a gentleman named Rick Lemmo with Caruso Affiliated and he invited me to coffee to discuss an internship opportunity.
Rick Lemmo went on to become my first professional mentor, and still is to this day. He gave me a glimpse into the corporate world where I dreamt of becoming a Vice President of Marketing. Post-graduation, I secured a Production Assistant role with GO West Events & Multimedia, where I quickly advanced to Project Manager, orchestrating live special events nationwide for corporate clientele such as Anthem Blue Cross and Jafra Cosmetics. Despite the allure of travel, I opted to pursue my MBA degree at CLU, navigating the challenges of balancing work and study, ultimately leading to a shift into retail management and the opportunity to continue a relationship with a coworker – now my husband of almost 18 years, Rick Borja.
Returning to Caruso Affiliated after completing my master’s degree felt like a full-circle moment, as I assumed the role of Director of Marketing for the West Valley Region. Over the next three years, I spearheaded marketing strategies for five upscale outdoor shopping centers, melding my expertise in marketing, retail, and a love of fashion.
After experiencing mid-management layoffs and undergoing six months of job hunting, Rick Lemmo recommended me for an Event Manager position at the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. At the time, I honestly didn’t know the first thing about the role of a Chamber, but I knew the community and that I could elevate their event programming. My new boss, Jill Lederer, promised schedule flexibility with my young daughter, and I entered the non-profit sector for the first time in my career.
Before long, I found myself leading the Marketing and Events Department, overseeing all marketing initiatives, including production of a magazine, as well as managing monthly events and large signature programs. In less than a year, I launched a young professionals group, and also served as the staff lead for the Ambassador Program. At the end of 2019, Jill Lederer called me into her office where she disclosed her impending retirement plans. To my surprise and honor, she expressed her desire for me to succeed her in the President/CEO role.
She had already championed me as her succession choice with our Board of Directors and long intended for my leadership to be the next chapter of the Chamber. I had never envisioned myself in her role and initially hesitated to consider taking on such a prominent community leadership position with my three daughters (10, 5, 3) and a husband who traveled extensively. Jill assured me I could make the position my own, and I took the weekend to contemplate the potentially career-changing offer. Though I didn’t possess unwavering confidence in myself at the time, I decided to take the leap and trust in the belief that sometimes others see potential within us that we may not yet recognize in ourselves.
On January 1, 2020, I took over as President/CEO of one of the largest regional Chambers in California, a thriving tourism district -Visit Conejo Valley – and our 501c3, the Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation less than three months prior to a global pandemic and haven’t looked back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think the road is ever completely smooth, but for me the most significant “bumps” came from the personal side.
At the age of 22, I lost my dad suddenly, and less than a year later my mother was in a car accident that she would never wake up from. Through that heavy grief, I was determined early on that these losses were not going to define the rest of my life, and set out with intention to make them proud of the daughter they had raised.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I lead a 5-star accredited regional Chamber of Commerce that serves as the collective voice of business for the Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills) through leadership, advocacy, and programming. While every day is different, we are best known for being problem solvers, advocates, and connectors for our members and the community-at-large.
Our Chamber also owns and operates the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District, a nonprofit designed to increase overnight hotel stays in Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills through targeted marketing efforts. I enjoy finding new and innovative ways to showcase our area to attract tourism, focused on leisure, sports, social, and corporate events.
Currently, I’m most proud of my team and Board leadership for our collective community impact over the past two years. Our Chamber has championed over 1,400 new housing units, contributed to the passage of a new General Plan in Thousand Oaks for the first time in 50 years, and recently brought the business community together to approve a Comprehensive Cancer Center that was under opposition by local neighbors.
What’s next?
I have lived in this community my entire live and it’s an exciting time to be part of this region. We have the world’s largest wildlife crossing currently under construction in Agoura Hills. There are plans to re-envision the Civic Arts Plaza creating a Downtown in Thousand Oaks. And the Conejo Valley is strategically positioned in close proximity to the 2028 Olympics, which will be hosted in Los Angeles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.conejochamber.org/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleborja5/
