Leadership Spotlight: Amber Kelel

For this edition of the Springfield Chamber’s Leadership Spotlight Series, we’re proud to feature Amber Kelel, Chief Strategy Officer and Director of Business Development at Systems West Engineers. Since joining the Chamber Board of Directors in 2022, Amber has brought strategic insight, contagious energy, and a deep commitment to collaborative leadership. As she prepares to conclude her term in December 2025, the Chamber extends its sincere gratitude for her service, vision, and dedication to strengthening Springfield’s business community.

A strategist, connector, and honoree in this year’s Oregon 250 program, Amber has enriched the Chamber’s work with her perspective on business growth, talent, and community investment. As you’ll read in her own words below, Amber joined the Board to meaningfully contribute to Springfield’s future – and the Chamber agrees she has done an exceptional job.

Jumping all-in to the Chamber
Early in my career, I had the opportunity to represent my company on a regional board made up of leaders from tourism, business, and community sectors. That experience introduced me to the value and role chambers of commerce play in strengthening the ecosystem of business and the downstream impact on the local community.

Fast forward to 2022, I was recalibrating from the pandemic and reflecting on my time participating in the Leadership Eugene-Springfield program. It was in that reflection that the Chamber was where I wanted to meaningfully invest my time and energy.

I’ve always been an all-in, team-first person. Whether due to growing up as a middle child, or from years of team sports, I learned early that joining forces creates space for impact far beyond what any one person can do alone. My Board experience was full of “all-in’s”, creating spaces for perspective-shifting, collaboration, and connection that all led to being a contributor to collective impact.

Investing in partnerships that strengthen both industry and community
One of our core values at Systems West is support community – the belief that we have a responsibility to help create the community we want to live and work in. That aligns directly with the mission of the Chamber, and is ultimately why we’ve chosen to be a Chamber Impact Investor.

In the fall of 2022, Kelel welcomed the Chamber community on a tour of the Springfield Systems West offices during a celebration of their rebrand and newly updated office space.

I can’t overstate the importance of investing – whether it’s time, money, or leadership – in efforts that strengthen community. Chambers have this unique ability to convene, elevate, and accelerate progress across business sectors. Our investment is a commitment to shared success and shared responsibility; a rising tide really does lift all boats.

Stacking the building blocks, seeing the big picture
Looking back, I’ve had the privilege of being part of a wide range of Chamber initiatives, from ad hoc committees to the rebrand effort to serving on the Executive Committee. I learned very quickly from the great Avril Watt [of ASTEC Industries] that deep work happens between the board meetings. Meanwhile, Courtney Greisel [of Sierra Pacific Industries] taught me that board meetings offer space for thoughtful input, guidance, and creative ideas. I’ve valued being able to serve on both levels: big-picture thinking backed by the building blocks. Watching those building blocks stack over time has been the most rewarding.

Kelel was one of four expert panelists at the Springfield Chamber’s 2025 Leadership Summit, speaking on the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in business operations.

One experience that stands out was serving as the ad hoc chair for the Chamber’s Essential Skills Workshop program last year. It was an opportunity to work with many leaders in our community that I hadn’t yet had the opportunity to meet – all with the same passion and drive to empower our local talent through personal and professional up-skilling. A true treat!

“We can build bigger spaces and longer tables, but we can’t walk through the door for you.”

Leadership shaped by trust
Serving on the Board has reinforced one of the most fundamental truths of leadership: trust is necessary. Trust is built in the small, consistent moments – showing up, listening, having honest and courageous conversations, and opening doors for others. And it’s also built by character. That foundation of trust is what enables teams and communities to take on big, complex challenges together.

(Left) Kelel poses at the Chamber Depot with Board members and Chamber President & CEO, Vonnie Mikkelsen; (Right) Chatting with a fellow Emerging Leader awardee, Liz Tate of Mereté Hotel Management, at a Chamber Roundtable tour.

Words of wisdom for emerging leaders
Start. Just start somewhere.

Whether it’s a conversation, attending an open house, volunteering on a committee, or jumping all-in, the most important step is the first one. The Chamber is, at its core, a community of people – aspiring, intelligent, compassionate, and fiercely dedicated to seeing Springfield and our broader region thrive. And that community includes you and your business.

We can build bigger spaces and longer tables, but we can’t walk through the door for you. Take the step. Your involvement matters more than you know.

Amber Kelel was the recipient of the Emerging Leader award at the Chamber’s 2023 Inspire Excellence Annual Awards (held in January, 2024).

About the Springfield Chamber’s Leadership Spotlight Series
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to feature the leaders who help shape a strong economy and a prosperous community. The Leadership Spotlight Series highlights individuals whose engagement with the Chamber – whether through Board service, committees, programs, or community partnerships – advances our mission to support, represent, and connect local businesses. Each profile shares unique professional insights, community impact, and a personal vision for Springfield’s future, celebrating the many pathways through which leadership grows in our region.

To learn more about the Springfield Chamber’s current Board of Directors, click here.