Meet the Burlington Chamber Team
Your Chamber Champions
At the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, we’re more than the people behind events, programs, and emails—we’re your neighbors, connectors, storytellers, and advocates for local businesses. From welcoming new members and building relationships to promoting tourism and celebrating our community, our team is dedicated to helping Burlington and the Skagit Valley thrive.
Take a moment to get to know the faces behind the Chamber. We’re here whenever you need us, ready to help, connect, and celebrate your success.
Stephanie is the President and CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and a dedicated advocate for small businesses and community growth. Stephanie is a 2021 graduate of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE) Academy, and she is currently enrolled in the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management (IOM), a four-year program that she will complete in July 2026. Following graduation, Stephanie plans to pursue accreditation as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) through the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives by the end of 2027.
Stephanie’s Chamber experience began in 2012 as a member, and in 2016, she joined the chamber team as an administrative assistant. Over the years, she advanced through multiple roles, ultimately beginning her journey as CEO in 2021. Her vision for the Burlington Chamber is to be the go-to resource for small businesses, ensuring members see and experience the value the Chamber brings to the community. She is passionate about advocacy, building strong business connections, and engaging with community leaders and legislators to promote policies that drive economic growth. She is also deeply committed to preparing the next generation, focusing on workforce development and ensuring youth understand and are connected to the local business community.
Outside of her professional role, Stephanie enjoys working outdoors and tackling hands-on projects. Whether maintaining her 10-acre property in Bow, WA, or transforming her vacant land in Cle Elum into a camping retreat, she finds fulfillment in creating and maintaining spaces for her family to enjoy. Stephanie is also a proud mother of three adult children and one high school-aged child. In her free time, she enjoys being a season ticket holder for the Everett Silvertip, traveling and exploring new things, as well as activities like fishing, crabbing, and paddleboarding. Still, her favorite pastime is making memories with her family.
Emily is the Business Development Coordinator for the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Emily has been with the team since January 2022. With nearly 20 years of living and working in Burlington, she brings a genuine love for this community to everything she does.
A proud graduate of the Leadership Skagit Class of 2024, Emily is passionate about connecting local businesses with the resources, partnerships, and support they need to grow and thrive. She enjoys building relationships, fostering collaboration, and helping the Chamber carry out its mission to strengthen our business community while making Burlington—and all of Skagit Valley—a welcoming place to live, work, and visit.
Outside of work, Emily loves spending time with her boyfriend and their dog, especially while hiking, camping, or joining in on local community events.
Mary Jo Sanders is our new admin assistant and a familiar face to the Burlington Chamber. Mary Jo served on the board of directors from 2017 to 2024 and has been the lead volunteer of the Berry Dairy Days for the past 5 years.
Mary Jo grew up in Skagit County and attended Immaculate Conception Regional School, Burlington Edison High School, and is a proud graduate of Skagit Valley Community College (AA/transfer), Western Washington University (BA/History), and Central Washington University (Education). She worked at her family-owned small business for over 20 years and sees working at the Chamber as a way to help small businesses succeed.
Mary Jo enjoys gardening, writing, beach activities, attending concerts, sporting events, and traveling. She especially enjoys playing tourist in the Pacific Northwest.
Nichole Long brings nearly 20 years of marketing, digital storytelling, and community engagement experience to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. After previously serving on the Chamber team in the early 2020s, she is excited to return and continue helping share the stories of the businesses, people, and experiences that make Burlington such a special place to live, work, and visit.
Having worked throughout Skagit County for more than two decades, Nichole has built strong relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders. Through strategic marketing, social media, website content, photography, video, and tourism promotion, she is passionate about connecting people with the places and experiences that make our community thrive.
Outside of the Chamber, Nichole enjoys spending time with her husband, Joshua, and their children, Rachel and Jacob. Whether she’s cheering Rachel on at a dance competition, exploring local events with her family, volunteering in the community, or dreaming up her next creative marketing idea over a cup of coffee, Nichole embraces every opportunity to celebrate the people and places that make the Pacific Northwest home.