As we step into 2026, I find myself reflecting on something deeply meaningful to me and foundational to both leadership and the work we do at The Chamber: community. 

We are living in a time when the absence of community is being felt more acutely than ever. Many people are navigating full, fast-paced lives that can still feel isolating, disconnected from colleagues, neighbors or a broader sense of purpose. That isolation has real consequences. When people feel disconnected, leadership becomes harder. Engagement declines. Confidence erodes. And the willingness to step forward and lead often fades. 

Community changes that. 

Community can take many forms. It might be a child’s sports team, a group of coworkers or professional peers, a neighborhood, a faith community or a network of leaders who come together around shared goals. At its core, community is where leadership is formed. It is where trust is built, belonging is created and people find the encouragement to raise their hand, share their voice and take responsibility for something bigger than themselves. 

That idea of showing up — for one another and for the work — was central to a message I heard this past Sunday at church, and it reinforced something I have said many times about this region and will continue to say: people here show up. 

They show up to lead their businesses with integrity.
They show up for their employees, customers and communities.
They show up during moments of challenge and opportunity alike. 

And when people consistently show up, leadership follows. 

The Chamber is one example of what this looks like in action. Every day, we bring leaders together across industries and perspectives, creating space for connection, collaboration and growth. Those relationships become partnerships, trusted networks and leadership pipelines that strengthen our region. While the value of this work does not always show up neatly in data points, its impact is undeniable. Strong community builds strong leaders, and strong leaders build resilient economies. 

Faith, like many deeply held values, is personal. Yet the principles that guide faith, including service, responsibility and connection, are also foundational to effective leadership. Leadership is not exercised in isolation. It is practiced in relationships, grounded in trust and sustained by community. 

As this issue of The Bridge explores leadership from many angles, I encourage you to lean in. Engage, connect and be part of The Chamber community in 2026. Join us at events, bring your voice to the table, build relationships and help shape the future of this region alongside others who care deeply about this place and the people in it. 

I am confident that 2026 will be a year of opportunity and prosperity, and that the leaders who show up together will define what comes next. 

Here’s to a year of leadership rooted in community.  

— Shannon Full
President and CEO
Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce