Kellie Goodman-Shaffer, President and CEO of the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, was one of 30 women to receive the Influential Leadership Award from Pittsburgh Professional Women on Monday night.
According to a press release from the organization, the award was presented as “an recognition of courage, leadership, innovation, creativity and resilience modeled in 2020 while living, working and leading others through a pandemic”.
Shaffer stated that the award is not given annually, but was created due to the challenges of the pandemic.
She said Beth Caldwell, founder of Pittsburgh Professional Women, was a frequent speaker at the local chamber’s women’s day.
On a social media post, Caldwell said, “Kellie is a business advocate in the Bedford County area. … If you subscribe to the Chamber’s newsletter, you already know that Kellie led the Chamber’s efforts to provide frequent, timely, helpful and practical support to the business community throughout the pandemic, including key resources and (virtual) programs and events. Kellie also coordinated a collaboration to build a drive-in screen to create a socially distant summer movie experience for the entire community.
“During the 2020 holiday season, Kellie continued to showcase the Bedford business community by spearheading Christmas lights going through. Live, work, and lead with excellence during the pandemic – well done Kellie! “
Shaffer said she felt the award wasn’t so much for her but recognized the work of all of the chamber staff, as well as the board of directors and committees.
“It recognizes the work of a lot of people,” she said.
Of the many projects over the year, the most visible was the creation of the Silver Lining Drive-in at the Bedford County Fairgrounds.
While the project gained national recognition, Shaffer said most of the credit should go to the 22 companies that have teamed up to make it a reality.
“It was an amazing project, but I don’t feel comfortable when I get a lot of credit for it,” she said. “It was a great achievement for our business community.”
Funds raised at Monday’s event will go to the Artemis Project, a specialty fund offered by Pittsburgh Professional Women that helps families in western Pennsylvania with financial burdens due to job losses or cutbacks as a result of COVID 19.
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