By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

Carrie Nolan-Robson, the new executive director of the Northside North Shore Chamber of Commerce, has some big shoes to fill.

Former office holder Gina Grone held the position for six years, and oversaw major changes and growth of the organization during her tenure. When she started, the chamber had 98 dues-paying members. Now that number is around four times that.

However, ask Nolan-Robson how she feels stepping into the role, and she betrays no sign of nervousness or apprehension.

“I’m coming in with a lot of excitement,” she told The Chronicle. “The transition was really great, to have Gina alongside me for a little while there.”

Grone was present for the first few days of Nolan- Robson’s tenure, helping her adjust to the duties of executive director. And while she’s still learning the ropes — Nolan-Robson said she’d likely run the Chamber as business as usual until the end of the year before announcing any major changes or new programs — she has big plans for the future.

One key objective she has already identified is putting together a tourism plan for the Northside, including a map for visitors to the area. Such a resource could be a valuable thing for when the NFL Draft comes to Pittsburgh in 2026.

“It’s a great way to promote our members and the businesses that are down here,” she said.

Nolan-Robson, whose appointment to the position was announced in September, has come a long way to heading the Chamber. Growing up in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, she got her start in the workforce in education, graduating with a master’s degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

She worked in several local school districts at the elementary level. Later, she moved to Virginia to teach for three years in a rural area of that state, an experience she described as a “culture shock.”

“Country life is not for me, I missed the city,” she said, “and as all great Pittsburghers do, they always come back.”

Returning to the Steel City to care for an ailing family member, she tutored, performed nannying duties and even worked as a therapeutic support specialist for people with special needs. She even got experience as a politician, serving Heidelberg Borough after being appointed to its Civil Service Commission.

The trajectory of her career really shifted while working with Pittsburgh Job Corps, an education and job training program for young adults, when she became the business- community liaison.

“Taking on that role as business- community liaison really put me forward into the workforce development side of my career,” she said.

She would later move on to an opportunity as director of events and programs for the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, where she said she helped “shape” that chamber’s activities.

“I took a lot of the connections I made over the years and was able to institute a bunch of programs, especially on the non-profit side of things,” she said. “And now I’m here with the Northside North Shore Chamber.”

Nolan-Robson said she saw becoming the executive director of the Northside North Shore Chamber as the “next step” in her career path. She was further interested in the ongoing revitalization of the Northside.

“It seemed like it was a natural fit to just be able to bring some of my skills, knowledge and partnerships to collaborate with individuals to grow the workforce down here,” she said.

While a Pittsburgh native, Nolan- Robson was surprised to learn a few things about the Northside as she took on the position. One thing in particular was the number of neighborhoods, saying that she did not know there were 18 separate communities that make up the Northside.

She sees her strongest abilities come out as a “connector.” She works best helping businesses or individuals grow through making connections with the right people and fostering beneficial partnerships.

She looks forward to utilizing those skills to help with the growth of what she sees as an up-and-coming area.

“It is just a really happening place to be,” she said. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Check out page 8 to see the first Chamber Update column written by Nolan- Robson.