Alumni Success Story: Laura Oblinger ’00

We are proud to feature Laura Oblinger for our next Alumni Success Spotlight and also recognize her as the 2015 Donald W. Maine College of Business Alumni Award winner. As a proud DU grad, Laura is the first female executive director in the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce’s 100-year history. As the Chamber’s Executive Director, Laura has the oversight of all program and service work, including public policy and legislative affairs; Chamber organizational structure and procedures; communications strategies of membership and making sure its members needs are met; while keeping staff aligned and engaged with the strategy of long-range planning.

In her 12 years at the Chamber, through the collaboration with fellow staff members and critical volunteer committees, she has led processes that introduced new communication strategies that have helped members remain engaged.   Many of the Chamber’s existing events and programs have been enhanced to attract record crowds while introducing and launching new programs to meet the needs of members.

In 2014, under her leadership, the Chamber was named Chamber of the Year by the Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals. For three consecutive years, she was recognized in the Traverse City Business News as one of the top 40Under40 most influential professionals in the area as well as in 2011 named one of their 20 most influential women in the area, in 2013 recognized by Davenport University for their Student Leadership Award for the Traverse City Campus, and in 2014 was recognized by the Traverse City Business News as one of the area’s Most Powerful Women.   These honors and points of recognition would not be possible if not for the opportunity to do what she loves for such an impact player like the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Laura is a 2000 BBA in Marketing graduate and is now pursuing her MBA in Strategic Development, also through DU and is expected to complete her MBA in December 2015.  “I’ve been blessed to have an opportunity to receive a world-class education from one of Michigan’s great learning institutions and be able to do so in my hometown. I hope I can be an inspiration to others in reaching their educational goals through a unique community asset like the University Center.” stated Oblinger.

Laura also spends her time volunteering. She serves on the Board for Goodwill Industries and Junior Achievement and a proud member of Central United Methodist Church. Laura is a Traverse City native and along with her husband Chris and daughter Grace. She very is passionate about the region she lives, works and plays in.