Meghan Grimshaw is the executive director of the Fenton and Linden Regional Chamber of Commerce. She grew up in Fenton and graduated from Fenton High School.
After high school, she attended the University of Michigan-Flint for two years before transferring to Grand Valley State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in public and nonprofit administration. Following graduation, she stayed in Grand Rapids for five years, where she got married and built her career in the nonprofit sector.
Before joining the Chamber, she worked with the Development Team at the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation. She said that role was incredibly impactful and gave her experience in fundraising, relationship building, event planning, and community engagement. She worked on capital campaigns, year-end appeals, galas, and luncheon events, all of which helped shape her passion for connecting people and strengthening communities. She also made many professional and personal connections that she still values today.
In 2019, she and her husband moved back home to Fenton to be closer to family and plant roots in the community they love. Since then, they’ve welcomed two children, which has made working in and serving this community even more meaningful. Interestingly, she never had to search long for the right opportunity. A friend of a friend learned she was moving back and connected her with the Chamber, which was looking to fill a Membership Director role at the time. “It turned out to be the perfect fit,” she said.
Meghan served as Membership Director from 2019 through 2024, and in January 2025, she stepped into the Executive Director role following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Shelly Day.
The Chamber is a membership organization made up of nearly 500 members, including small and large businesses, local municipalities, schools, and civic organizations. The Chamber’s role is to connect businesses with one another, connect them to the community, advocate for their success, and help foster a strong local economy.
One of the things Meghan loves most about the Chamber is that its work goes far beyond networking events. It helps create meaningful relationships, supports local businesses, develops future leaders, and brings the community together through events and initiatives like the Community Expo, Jinglefest, Taste in Fenton, Career Connections programs, and more.
As Executive Director, one of Meghan’s biggest goals is to continue growing the Chamber as a collaborative, forward-thinking organization that helps businesses feel connected, supported, and invested in this community. “I want people to feel proud to do business here, raise families here, and stay involved here. We are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated staff, engaged Board of Directors, and passionate volunteers who make that mission possible every day,” she said.
While tending to the daily tasks at the Chamber office, Meghan took some time to answer seven questions for My City Magazine.
Meghan with several other Chamber members hosting a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for LINDEN BREWING CO.
1 What/where/when was your very first job?
My first job was in high school working at the Linden Little Caesars.
2 What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
I don’t think my friends or family would describe me as much of a risk taker, so this question made me laugh a little. However, I did quit my job and move back home without a real plan in place, which was probably the most spontaneous thing I’ve ever done. For a few weeks, I had no idea what was next before learning about the opportunity at the Chamber — and looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I could have made.
3 What’s a place you’ve always wanted to travel to – and why?
I have always wanted to travel to Italy, specifically the Amalfi Coast. The pictures are incredible, so I can only imagine being there in person. And, of course, the food!
4 What goal have you recently accomplished?
Something I am especially proud of recently is the launch of our Chamber’s new Women Connect initiative this past spring. Women Connect is a quarterly series designed to give women opportunities to build meaningful connections. This initiative had been something we talked about and worked toward for over a year through conversations with our members and our staff, as we continued hearing the desire for more opportunities specifically geared toward women connecting with one another. We officially launched the series in April and have already seen an incredible response, with more than 80 women attending our first event, The Power of Networking Panel, and our second event, Cocktails & Connections, selling out completely.
It has been really exciting to see it all come together!
Meghan Grimshaw attending Chamber functions with her co-workers, Joy Scott, Colleen Harding and Cristine Taylor
5 What’s one thing you wish you had more time to do?
I wish I had more time to read because I used to do it often, but these days with two kids, work, and everything else that comes along with life, I don’t get a lot of downtime. I’ve definitely become more of a podcast person because I can listen while multitasking.
6 If you could have any fictional character as a best friend, who would it be?
If I could have any fictional character as a best friend, I’d choose the entire cast of Friends. Who wouldn’t want that group to hang out with?
7 What is your “secret talent?”
I try to stay positive and bring energy to the work I do. I’ve learned that the culture you help create really shapes the experience for everyone, so I try to be mindful and contribute to a good one.
