In this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Sara Odendahl, CEO of the Bend Chamber. Sara shares her journey from journalism and public affairs to government relations, nonprofit leadership, and small business ownership. She discusses her experience in Colorado policy work, launching Work Collective in Bend, and ultimately stepping into leadership at one of Oregon’s largest local chambers of commerce.

The conversation explores workforce housing, child care access, small business support, health insurance resources, and the evolving role of the Bend Chamber in Central Oregon. Sara explains how the Chamber is helping convene community partners around complex challenges and highlights efforts to advance attainable housing solutions, strengthen the local workforce, and support the region’s growing business community.