Former President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce

Held the position for 21 years.

Nancy Ploeger has been with the IWEC Foundation since its inception March 1, 2016.  Previously she was the President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce for 21 years. Enhancing New York City’s economic growth and advocacy for small businesses was her goal at the chamber as well as fighting for an equal playing field for minority and women-owned businesses.  She represented the business community on a wide range of critical issues, most notably those involving health insurance for SMEs, MWBE certification, government procurement, small businesses globalization, diversities and business resources for services sectors, among other issues.

Nancy grew the chamber’s membership to over 10,000 members and subscribers, launched a variety of economic development initiatives and committees and established the Chamber’s relationships with officials at all levels of government.  This powerful network contributed and supported the Chamber’s growth into a small business advocating force with expanded influence across the globe.

After 9/11, Nancy formed a Small Business Grant program enlisting funding from chambers of commerce all around the US to help support the small businesses in lower Manhattan who were adversely affected.  This plus additional programs garnered awards from the US Chamber of Commerce and Nancy was appointed to board of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation where she maintained that seat until she left the chamber.

As one of the Founders of the International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) in 2007, partnering with Ambassador Ruth Davis from the U.S. Department of State, the Chairman of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Indian Federation of Chambers of Commerce/FLO, Nancy has helped IWEC grow over the past 12 years.

Nancy also helped to develop MCC’s community development arm is the MCC Community Benefit Fund (“CBF”).  She served as the President of CBF which provided over two million+ in grants to NYC nonprofit organizations. Each year additional funds were raised to expand the community development efforts.  CBF’s mission is to support community-based non-profits that contribute toward improving the quality of life in Manhattan.  The Second and Third Avenue Street Fairs are managed through the MCC CBF and proceeds from these fairs are disbursed in grants to non-profits in Community Board  8. The MCC CBF also supports a local high school and continues to develop innovative projects, such as the Volunteer Expo, which will benefit the community at large. She was a founding member of NYC Volunteer Expos in 2005, and continues to serve on its Executive Committee.

Nancy was appointed by Mayor Bloomberg to serve on the Committee of the MWBE Advisory Board from 2006-2016.  She also served on a number of boards and advisory groups, including U.S. Chamber of Commerce (BCLC), New York Women’s Agenda, The Doe Fund, New York District Export Council, Parent Jobnet, Health Advocates, New York City Department of Small Business Services and the Small Business Task Force of the Manhattan Borough President’s Office. She served as the Chairperson of Chamber Alliance of New York State in 2007 and continues to serve on the Steering Committee of the NYDEC World Trade Week Committee.

Prior to joining MCC, Nancy was the Vice President for TSI, New York, NY where she led the efforts to build one of NYC’s premiere health and fitness corporations, she was responsible for overseeing 28 health clubs with over 1,000 employees in New York, Washington, Boston and Switzerland.  Prior to TSI, Nancy worked for 7 years with Federated Department Stores (now Macy’s) in Executive Placement travelling nationwide to recruit top retail talent to the corporation.

Nancy lives in New York City and enjoys theater, horseback riding, photography and travel.