Nancy Kiernan is the Director of the Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit, member-driven organization that serves as the economic and community development arm of the City of Bridgman, Lake Charter Township, and the surrounding area. It is an affiliate of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and maintains an office within Bridgman City Hall, located at 9765 Maple St., in Bridgman Michigan.
Nancy Kiernan is from St. Joseph, Michigan and after attending the University of Chicago for graduate school, married and reared four daughters on Chicago’s southside. Her foundation in small business ownership launched a career in both public service and private sector construction management and client relationship management. She is a generalist with significant experience in the coordination of multi-disciplinary programs/projects and the management of diverse relationships to execute their success. Nancy has been involved in community development since she passed her first petition to create a riverfront park, the Margaret Upton Arboretum, when she was just 12 years old. As the co-owner of an award-winning bookstore and specialty toy store, Nancy was a founding member of the Chicagoland Assoc. of Toy Stores buying group, “The Stations” – an area marketing business cooperative and the Chicago Children’s Book Fair annual event. She has contributed materially to numerous community development organizations; further demonstrating her confirmed passion for community and economic development.
A lifelong learner, she has attained a certification in urban planning (AICP), and an accreditation in sustainable design (LEED AP). Her hands-on attitude led her to develop an expertise in geographic information systems (GIS) for which she was nominated for an e-government award with the Chadwick Institute. Nancy has consulted on electronic project management systems for the construction industry with United Airlines and the Chicago Department of Aviation. She was elected to the prestigious International Alpha Lambda honorary land economics society and has been a guest presenter for the Society for the Marketing of Professional Services on Public Private Partnerships.
Nancy lives in an old log cabin on the St. Joseph River in Berrien Springs, Michigan with her husband Louis and enjoys all southwestern Michigan has to offer, beaching, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, curling, skiing, pickleball, and of course, visiting wineries, breweries and distilleries.
