Carolina Spence - the Chamber's Spirit of Sonoma Honoree

In our community Carolina Spence is fondly referred to as the tail that wags the dog. Between her work background, boards she’s served on, doors she’s knocked on in political campaigns, dollars she’s raised, and influence she carries in this community, Carolina is one mover and shaker! It’s for this reason that the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber has chosen Carolina as our honoree for the Spirit of Sonoma County.

She’s a major contributor to the economic development of this community by working tirelessly and successfully on many business-friendly candidate campaigns and ballot measures. With her many board seats, mentorship, and committee roles her influence is widely known. Carolina is one of a kind – no last name required. When you know Carolina is on the job, you know it’s going to get done because there is no saying “no” to her.

In terms of her community, civic, and business accomplishments, Carolina strives to make Santa Rosa a better place. She feels she’s had a good life here and wants to give back.

Chamber Involvement – Carolina has served as the Vice Chair of the Advocacy Council and created the Chamber’s Leaders & Liaisons program, which she feels has accomplished the most over the long term. Leaders & Liaisons is regularly held meetings with the members of both the city council and board of supervisors with members from Advocacy. This is so the Chamber can address their members’ needs and in turn the elected officials can share their concerns and areas where the business community could support their efforts.

Candidate Academy – Carolina first spearheaded the Chamber’s Candidate Academy in 2011, and has since decided it was important to bring the program back in a partnership with the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber and Sonoma County Alliance.

Other areas at the Chamber Carolina has been integral – Membership, Showcases, Downtown Development, fundraisers such as the Chamber’s annual Gala. She has been a key player in promoting membership in the Chamber.

Carolina has also served on a number of boards and committees in our community:

• At 4Cs, she worked to establish daycare before and after school.
• A former Board Chair for the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, she still serves on Secret Santa and the Human Race, and she has chaired their Gala for years.
• At the Family Justice Center, Carolina heads their donor recognition event and their breakfast.
• In coordination with the City of Santa Rosa, Carolina chairs the Merit Awards and she is currently fundraising to replace the fountain in Courthouse Square.

Carolina has worked on campaigns for a variety of successful elected officials from Board of Supervisors, City Council, and currently is working on the Sheriff’s race. She does everything from fundraising to knocking on doors for campaigns.

Carolina also mentors young women. Two are from RUP and students at the SRJC. She helps them navigate toward a successful future. They are the first in their families to graduate from high school and go to college. This is very meaningful for Carolina, but can also be quite taxing. Carolina is determined to help them become successful business women. She has also helped many women find the right career path, connecting them with the right community leaders.

Carolina also helps connect seniors with services they need, working with them and their families. She also guides widows through the paper process.

From daycare to elderly care, Carolina does it all! It’s a lot of bossing people around as Carolina says.

Carolina is a former banker, doing business development with Exchange Bank and as a personal banking officer with Wells Fargo. She also worked in senior housing as marketing director for Sunrise Senior Living and Varenna.

Carolina was married to her late husband Vern for 27 years. He was an educator which sparked her desire to work in education. She has a son and daughter in Sonoma County and has two granddaughters and grandsons.