Director of Programs, FMWF Chamber of Commerce
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: Hi! I’m Setareh. I currently serve as Director of Programs at the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce, where I help create experiences that bring people together and encourage connection and continued learning. To my core, I am a connector with a passion for leadership, meaningful relationships, and intentional growth. Working at the Chamber has been the best experience as no two days are the same! It’s an incredible privilege to serve our community and be part of the Chamber team.
I’m passionate about being people-first and enjoy building spaces where collaboration and personal development can thrive. Outside of work, I value spending time with the people and places that make the Midwest feel like home. I have a wonderful husband and four fabulous kids. Making people smile and laugh is my favorite thing to do! If I’m not spending time with family and friends, you can find me at church, coaching volleyball, or drinking copious amounts of coffee.
Q: Who has been the most influential mentor in your life, and why?
A: It’s cliché, but the most influential mentors in my life have been my parents. I often equate influence with consistency. So, in the MANY phases and stages of my life, they’ve been my North Star—stepping in when appropriate and teaching me the most valuable lessons. They’ve led by example and taught me how to be a kind, supportive, and fun person. They’ve modeled when to take life seriously and when to go with the flow. I’m so privileged to have had the best relationship with my parents and to view them as mentors in my life.
Q: What community issue do you feel deserves more attention
A: A topic gaining traction that I hope continues to be top of mind is civic engagement. Being an employee at the Chamber, I have a front-row seat to the incredible opportunities that are available to our community. Right now, there is a big focus on civic engagement. Recently, the Chamber launched the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE)—a first-of-its-kind regional initiative to inspire, educate, and equip business and community leaders to take active roles in public life. This initiative is meant to be an accessible solution for individuals to learn more about and get more involved in civic engagement. For me, I want people to understand that to be civically engaged, you don’t have to be a state or federal official—civic engagement can be getting out to vote, serving on a local school board or park board, or being a resource for others. Opportunities are out there, we have a need, and people need to keep talking about it!
Q: Where do you hope to make the biggest impact over the next five years?
A: In the next five years, I want to make a big impact on the next generation—I see this happening in two places in my life… the first is in my family. As a mom of four young kids, I have the absolute privilege and responsibility of shaping my children. It’s a weighty responsibility, and I am so fortunate! I get to teach them how to be kind AND brave, to take a stand, to help their neighbor, and to be a part of the community. The second place I get to impact the next generation is in the gym as a volleyball coach with VOLT Volleyball Club. I get to be a mentor, influence, and coach for a variety of aged kids who will shape our community. It’s important to me that I’m not only making strong athletes, but strong people. Both places hold really similar spaces. The next generation of our community has the potential to create impact, and we have the potential to make sure they do!
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: The best advice I’ve ever received is to learn from the past, but don’t dwell on it. Whether you’ve experienced great success or great hardships, the past has so much to teach us. However, spending all our time dwelling on what happened can derail us from the potential that lies ahead. Now, I like to refer to reflection as taking inventory – looking back at the moments and marking the good and learning from the “bad” allows us to move forward with new goals, a clear vision, and strength.
Q: Why is our local United Way important to you?
A: United Way is an integral part of our community, impacting so many lives, often in ways people don’t even realize. What makes it especially meaningful to me is how the organization brings partners together and invites all of us to be part of the solution to the challenges facing our community. My favorite part of United Way’s work is its focus on the whole family. By addressing multiple, interconnected issues, they help ensure that everyone is supported and served. It’s truly incredible work!
Q: What is a hope you have for our community?
A: I hope we never become complacent. I hope we continue to empower the next generation and strive to elevate those around us. I hope we keep our Midwest spirit of resilience and love our neighbor. And I hope we continue to show up every day!
