Jinnae Monroe Named First Black Woman to Lead Prince William Chamber Board with a Mission to Empower Local Businesses
Jinnae Monroe has stepped into history as the first Black woman to lead the Prince William Chamber of Commerce board. The Dumfries Town Council recently honored her appointment with a proclamation recognizing her professional achievements and dedication to equity.
Though the proclamation called her “president,” Monroe clarified that she serves as board chair. She works alongside Bob Sweeney, the chamber’s president and CEO, to guide the organization forward.
“This was never my plan. I was the accidental chair,” Monroe said. “It was five years of people asking me to the table that led here.”
Monroe set the theme for her year as chair: “the year of the people.” She explained that while the chamber already connects business and government, her goal is to strengthen the relationships behind the businesses themselves.
Her plan includes welcoming more members, especially long-standing local companies that have not yet joined. She also wants larger firms to collaborate with small businesses. “With over 230 businesses in Dumfries and more than 9,000 across Prince William County, we have so much more work to do,” Monroe said.
By engaging chamber councils and committees, she hopes to expand access to grants, leadership roles, and funding. For Monroe, the work is about more than numbers—it’s about stories ofgrowth and success.
Before leading the chamber, Monroe built a strong career shaped by service and perseverance. She spent 15 years in the U.S. Air Force, where she learned resourcefulness and discipline.
After leaving the military, she worked more than three decades in the corporate sector. Later, she launched her own coaching business, helping organizations improve teamwork, retention, and long-term strategy. These experiences, she says, gave her the skills needed to lead at the chamber level.
“I want to hear members say, ‘I renewed because a bigger company asked me to subcontract with them,’” Monroe shared. Her focus is on building genuine partnerships that result in opportunity.
Monroe has also been praised for her work on the chamber’s veterans council and education committee, where she helped award scholarships, including oneto a Dumfries student.
She wants to challenge the idea that chambers of commerce are only for big companies. “Our goal is to make sure, from the county to the cities, that no matter what size the business, they’re invited and they have a voice,” Monroe said.
Her leadership signals a broader vision—one where every business, whether small or large, finds space, support, and a seat at the table.
