The Afghan Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis Elects New Board Members
The Afghan Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis reached a new milestone on August 28, 2025, when it held an important board meeting at the Afghan Community Center to elect its new leadership team. The event was marked by strong community participation, with more than 20 people many of them previous leaders and active members of the community coming together to shape the future of the Chamber.
The primary purpose of this gathering was to breathe new life into the Afghan Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis by electing a fresh group of leaders who could guide the organization into its next chapter. Participants emphasized that while the previous board members had made valuable contributions, the time had come to strengthen the Chamber with new energy, new ideas, and new strategies.
During the meeting, attendees agreed to elect seven official board positions. These included President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Director, Communication Director, and Program & Event Director. By opening these spots to community members, the Chamber ensured that its leadership structure would be transparent, inclusive, and representative of the Afghan community across the St. Louis metropolitan area.
To ensure fairness, each candidate interested in a leadership role was invited to introduce themselves and share details about their educational background, work experience, and the skills they could bring to the Chamber. One by one, candidates highlighted their qualifications and their vision for the Chamber’s future.
After the presentations, participants had the chance to cast their votes. When the votes were counted, the results reflected both continuity and progress. Mr. Haroon Safi was elected as the new President of the Afghan Chamber of Commerce in St. Louis. Two women were also elected to leadership roles: one as Vice President and another as Program & Event Director, marking an important step toward gender inclusion in leadership.
The newly elected board now carries the responsibility of leading the Chamber through its “survival year.” This will involve not only organizing programs and events but also developing strategies to position the Chamber as a valuable resource for Afghan community, entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals in St. Louis.
Participants expressed strong support for the new leadership, pledging to contribute their skills, time, and resources to ensure that the Chamber not only survives but thrives. The collective message from the gathering was clear: the Afghan Chamber of Commerce has an important role to play in empowering the Afghan community and connecting it with broader opportunities in the St. Louis region.
As the Afghan community continues to grow and contribute to the economic and cultural fabric of St. Louis, the Chamber’s role will be more vital than ever. The organization now looks forward to hosting events, building partnerships, and empowering Afghan entrepreneurs to not only succeed individually but also uplift the community as a whole.