Mindy McCloughan, Loveland Chamber of Commerce

She’s always looking to improve things.

“I have a passion for community and business development,” said Mindy McCloughan. “Even when I’m on vacation I go with an eye on understanding what makes that community so special.”

As president and chief executive of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, McCloughan believes that watching businesses grow and communities prosper makes her job great. “It’s a blessing beyond what anyone can imagine to be on the backside of that,” she said.

When McCloughan started her position with the Chamber in May 2012, her primary task was to rebuild it.

“I had to take it from a broken place and restructure and chart a new course for success,” she said.

Then came the disastrous 2013 Colorado flood. “We raised $700,000 in grants and saved about 48 businesses with that, rebuilt the Chamber and established new programs,” she said.

She’s clearly focused on accountability as the boost for her goal of improving things.

Before moving to Colorado, McCloughan served as president of the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce in Paris, Texas, as well as positions in economic development, community development and tourism for 15 years. “I look at my life as a mosaic tile — starting out as a secretary, being promoted in 30 days and continuously after that,” she said. “It’s made it so that I’ve done every role in my 20 years of tenure.

“I was the first woman president in the Texas chamber,” she added. “Women have come a long way in being able to succeed compared to 20 years ago when I started.”

In the five years she’s been with the Loveland Chamber, the membership base has increased to 752, and she’s reduced debt and implemented a balanced budget. Programs and partnerships include an annual Dancing With the Stars fundraiser, which created a $50,000 profit for flood relief in its first year.

The Old Fashioned Corn Roast in downtown Loveland has partnered with US Pro Cycling Challenge, which adds economic stimulus for downtown businesses.

“Women have such strengths and assets. I’m amazed at the number of women business owners now,” McCloughan said. “It takes a lot of courage to take a leap of faith and invest in a community after the economic downturn we’ve been through.

“I’m inspired every day by the amount of volunteering and helping of other women getting into business,” she said.

“Mindy’s purpose and passion is to strengthen and expand the economy through programs that lead to bringing business, industry and economic growth to Loveland and Larimer County,” said Dixie Daly, membership director at Loveland Chamber of Commerce. “It fosters the overall quality of life initiatives that make Loveland a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

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