Walnut Creek Chamber Names Business Strategist Caitlin Meaney Burrows as New President and CEO

On July 13, the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau announced that Caitlin Meaney Burrows will assume the roles of president and chief executive officer, succeeding Bob Linscheid, who has steered the organization since 2021. Burrows’ appointment comes as the chamber marks its 100th anniversary, a milestone that underscores both its long history and its future ambitions.

A lifelong Lafayette resident, Burrows brings almost forty years of experience in business strategy, finance, and organizational leadership. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Duke University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where she focused on finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing.

Her career began at Goldman Sachs, after which she held senior positions at Williams‑Sonoma, AT&T, Robert Half, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and Stanford University.

Most recently, Burrows served as chief of staff at Catamount Ventures Management, a firm that partners with owners of Massachusetts businesses such as Brookline Booksmith and Wellfleet Marketplace. The chamber highlighted her role in helping those companies navigate the COVID‑19 pandemic and strengthen their financial performance.

Beyond the corporate arena, Burrows has long been active in local nonprofits. She spent eight years on the board of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation and has volunteered with the Assistance League’s literacy tutoring program in Walnut Creek and with Lafayette Partners in Education.

"As a longtime area resident, I’ve seen Walnut Creek grow from a bedroom community into a business and tourism powerhouse," Burrows said. "I’m excited to have the opportunity to further that trend and introduce new strategies to help our local business community grow and prosper."

The chamber represents more than 2,000 local businesses, advocates on policy issues, and promotes Walnut Creek as a commercial and visitor destination. According to the chamber’s website, the city has a population of 70,127 (2020 census) and is a key node on the I‑680 corridor that connects Sacramento, San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area. Walnut Creek’s economy is diversified, with strengths in retail, hospitality, professional services and technology.

The chamber’s 100th‑anniversary celebrations will feature a series of events that highlight the city’s history and its future plans.

Board chair Angela Ashley said Burrows’ background in business strategy and finance made her the board’s choice to guide the chamber’s work on behalf of local businesses and the city’s economy.

Burrows’ appointment comes at a time when the chamber is focusing on post‑pandemic recovery, workforce development and attracting new investment to the East Bay. The leadership team, which also includes senior vice president Marcie Hochhauser and president and CEO Jay Hoyer, will work with Burrows to advance these priorities.

The chamber’s website lists its staff and board members, and the organization is active on social media and in community events.

Burrows’ experience with large corporations and nonprofit organizations positions her to bridge the needs of businesses with the resources available in the region.

As Walnut Creek marks a century of civic and commercial activity, the chamber’s new president will play a key role in shaping the city’s economic trajectory. The chamber’s next steps include launching a new strategic plan and continuing to advocate for policies that support small businesses, workforce training and sustainable growth.

The chamber’s official announcement can be found on its website and in a press release dated July 13, 2026.