Leadership Spotlight: Kenny Weigandt

For this edition of the Springfield Chamber’s Leadership Spotlight Series, we sat down with Kenny Weigandt of Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, who has served on the Chamber Board of Directors since 2022 and will conclude his term in December 2025. Throughout his tenure, Weigandt has been a dedicated advocate for strengthening connections between Springfield’s public agencies and business community, consistently elevating collaboration as a pathway to shared success.

The Chamber is deeply grateful for Weigandt’s service, leadership, and genuine commitment to the people of Springfield. As he reflects on his time on the Board in his own words below, he says he joined to make collaboration across sectors easier – and he has done an outstanding job doing exactly that.

My “why” for joining the Springfield Chamber Board of Directors
One of the reasons Springfield is so special is that the business community is so engaged with our local public agencies. Working at Willamalane has shown me just how vital parks and recreation are for a thriving community. What’s more, I’ve seen firsthand how parks and recreation can do so much more when businesses –  private, public, big, small, and everything in between – work together. In 2022, I asked to join the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors because I wanted to help make collaboration easier across Springfield.

“People want to work in places where wellness is a priority, and a thriving business community offers more opportunities for increased access to parks and rec. I sincerely believe that one can’t thrive without the other, and we see that every day.”

Serving on this Board has been such a privilege. I’ve worked side by side with some of the most incredible and talented people in Springfield, and I am not ashamed to admit that I’ve tried to steal bits and pieces of all of their superpowers. I joined the Board because I care deeply about this community, but I had no idea that I would gain so much personally. This group of people helped me develop so much as a professional and a person, and I will be eternally grateful to all of my fellow Board members and the unbelievable Chamber staff.

Aligned priorities: making Springfield a vibrant place to live, work, and play
Economic development and access to beautiful spaces and healthy activities go hand in hand. People want to work in places where wellness is a priority, and a thriving business community offers more opportunities for increased access to parks and rec. I sincerely believe that one can’t thrive without the other, and we see that every day.

In early 2025, Weigandt presented with Willamalane’s Chief Operations Officer & Deputy Director for Parks, Planning, and Facilities, Eric Adams, at a Springfield Chamber Roundtable program.

“One heck of a legacy project”
One of my favorite stories from my time serving on the Board is also one of my top moments at Willamalane and the Chamber rolled into one!

At a Chamber Board meeting, I had the opportunity to share the biggest challenges we faced in the parks and rec world. The two challenges I shared were 1. wildfire mitigation, and 2. providing access to affordable childcare. About 30 minutes after that meeting, I heard from a fellow Board member – Matt Roberts from the University of Oregon – who said, “Let’s talk about this childcare challenge.”

That discussion led to what is now the Willamalane Tiny Ducks Preschool. The University of Oregon was seeking a partner who could expand childcare, and Willamalane’s ability to build on the existing preschool program was based almost entirely on space requirements. With these two goals aligning, the University of Oregon funded a classroom expansion, Willamalane created more preschool capacity for UO staff and the Springfield community, and Willamalane can now serve 60 additional children per session.

The Chamber fosters relationships and provides opportunities to share common goals. The connection made through the Chamber will impact the lives of children and parents who need childcare, and it will spark economic development on multiple levels. That’s one heck of a legacy project, and it wouldn’t have happened without the Chamber creating the platform for sharing common goals.

Leading by example
During my tenure, I have been surrounded by some of the best leaders in our community, and watching them in action reinforced that our best leaders have incredible empathy and the ability to listen. I have so much work to do in my career, but working side by side with such amazing people gave me some examples of the leader I most want to become.

At the January 2023 Inspire Excellence Annual Awards, Weigandt was awarded the Springfield Chamber’s 2022 Emerging Leader Award.

Final advice for emerging leaders
Being engaged with the Chamber immediately puts you in a position to be a connector in our community. It might sound overly simple, but the more we can connect people with shared goals, the more we’ll all accomplish for Springfield. If you join the Board, serve on a committee, or attend one of the many awesome Chamber events, you become a connector and a leader in this wonderful community.

Kenny Weigandt (Willamalane), Vonnie Mikkelsen (Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce), Allison Camp (City of Springfield), and Craig Runyon (PIVOT Architecture) pose at a Springfield Chamber Open House.

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.