Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Anthony-Evenson.
Hi Robin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where I had two children in the late ’80s while teaching marching band at schools across the state. In 1990, I moved to the Twin Cities with my kids for a fresh start. I needed a job with benefits, so I applied for a position with the State of Minnesota. I was so nervous, I failed the entrance exam seven times—but I didn’t give up. Eventually, I passed and started in an entry-level role. Within four years, I was working in the Governor’s Office.
From there, my career continued to grow. I went on to become the Election Director for Washington County and later worked directly for the Minnesota Secretary of State. Eventually, I was recruited by Accenture, where I worked in elections and later consulted C-suite leaders on transformational and organizational change management.
For eight years, I traveled weekly. One day, while in Washington, D.C., I received devastating news that my son’s best friend—a close family friend—had passed away in a tragic and wrongful death incident. That moment made me pause and reflect deeply. I realized that for me, nothing mattered more than family, relationships, and community. It was a turning point.
Soon after, I took a class at the University of St. Thomas on how to start a business. Within three months, I launched PartyOnStillwater, an event management company rooted in community and connection. I joined four chambers of commerce, but my heart was in Stillwater—where I raised my children and still live. I got involved, reconnected with old friends, and built new relationships. I became an Ambassador for the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and eventually served on its Board of Directors.
When the position of Executive Director/President opened up, I asked myself, “Could I really do both—run a business and lead the Chamber?” I tried it for a year, but it was a lot to juggle. I turned to a dear friend for advice, and he asked me a simple question: “Which role allows you to make the greatest impact?” The answer was clear.
More than nine years later, I’m proud to continue serving the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and the community that means the world to me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce comes with its share of challenges. Balancing the diverse needs of our members—from small, family-owned businesses to large corporations—requires constant listening, adapting, and creative problem-solving. Economic shifts, workforce shortages, and changes in state policy can impact our local business community overnight, and it’s our job to respond quickly while still planning strategically for long-term growth. As a small but mighty team, we wear many hats, often juggling advocacy, events, communications, and partnerships all at once. Despite the demands, every challenge is an opportunity to strengthen our mission: to support, connect, and uplift the businesses and people that make our community thrive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a gift for bringing people together from all walks of life to work toward something greater than themselves. At the Chamber, we do a lot behind the scenes—often without recognition, as others sometimes receive credit for the work we’ve led. While that can be frustrating at times, it truly doesn’t bother me. What matters most is the impact we’re making for the greater good. My personal goal in serving the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce has always been to leave a lasting legacy. Two of the accomplishments I’m most proud of are the creation of the Leadership in the Valley program and the launch of the World Snow Celebration—both built from the ground up with vision, heart, and a deep commitment to our community.
What’s next?
My plan is to spend the next few years tying things up at the Chamber and preparing the way for new leadership—someone who can step in and continue serving this community with pride. I imagine I have about five more years in this role before it’s time to pass the torch. While I’ll always find ways to serve this community I love, I also know that life is short and family is everything. I have two grandboys who light up my world, and a daughter and son I want to spend more time with. My incredible husband Jeff and I love to camp and explore during our time off, and I’m looking forward to more of that in the years ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greaterstillwaterchamber.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterstillwaterchamber/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreaterStillwaterChamber/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/11181609/admin/dashboard/
