Staff
We are thrilled to introduce our multi-talented team.
Dedicated is not a strong enough word to describe these individuals. If you have had the pleasure of meeting this team, you know exactly what we mean. Each person in this dynamic group has made the personal commitment and sacrifice to grow our business community. Being involved in our Chamber is more than just a job.
We believe that our work is strengthening our community in positive ways. We see the evidence as our advocacy efforts come to fruition in the local businesses community. Engaging and connecting with our members fuels our work drive. We are a collaborative team, so if you pay us a visit, expect to hear laughter and experience our office camaraderie as we work together to move Paso Robles & Templeton forward.
Gina Fitzpatrick, President/CEO
Born and raised in San Luis Obispo County, Gina is a fifth-generation Paso Roblan. Her love for this community is rooted in everything she does, driven by a heartfelt passion for preserving the culture and values that make Paso Robles so special. Gina’s leadership style is all about building meaningful connections, fostering strategic partnerships, and staying true to her vision of creating a stronger, brighter community for future generations.
Certified in Economic Development, Gina exemplifies expertise in fostering economic growth, business retention and community development, strengthening the Chamber’s impact and value to its members.
When Gina isn’t busy serving the community, you’ll find her embracing life on the ranch with her husband and their daughter. Together, they raise cattle, explore the joys of traveling, and soak up family time.
Contact Gina directly: gina@pasorobleschamber.com
Jenna Hidinger, Chief of Staff
Meet Jenna, a true Central Coast enthusiast with a lifelong love for San Luis Obispo County and its one-of-a-kind culture. She graduated from Cal Poly with an Agriculture Business degree. Jenna’s roots in the community run deep, and her passion for all things local can be seen in everything she does.
Before joining the Chamber team, Jenna honed her skills on the philanthropy team of an agriculture-focused company, where she discovered her knack for building connections and giving back. These days, when she’s not busy keeping the Chamber running smoothly, Jenna is embracing the chaos and joy of raising identical twin boys with her husband.
With her background in operations, leadership, and nonprofit work—and her deep ties to the Paso Robles and Templeton business community—Jenna is the perfect Chief of Staff for the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce. Her energy, expertise, and heart for the community make her an invaluable part of the team.
Contact Jenna directly: Jenna@pasorobleschamber.com
Shanay Brown, Events Coordinator
Shanay’s vibrant personality and remarkable ability to connect with people make her an invaluable member of the Chamber team. Shanay’s dedication to the Chamber is evident in her longstanding involvement.
Her family business recently celebrated 15 years as Chamber members, reflecting her commitment to the organization. Over the years, she has contributed her talents to several key initiatives, including the Membership, Women in Business, and Ambassador Committees.
Beyond her professional achievements, Shanay is a passionate adventurer with a love for travel and Disney. Between 2017-18, she and her husband visited all 12 Disney parks worldwide in just 12 months. Her enthusiasm for learning and tackling challenges is equally inspiring—she’s currently teaching herself to play the drums and recently completed an RV road trip to visit the last 11 states on her list, officially achieving her goal of visiting all 50.
Contact Shanay directly: events@pasorobleschamber.com
Mae Gonzalez, Marketing & Membership Development
Originally from the heart of Nashville, Tennessee, Mae packed her bags and made the move to the sunny Central Coast in 2023. Nurtured within a family business, she cultivated a profound understanding, wisdom, and heartfelt empathy for small business owners. With a background in advertising and business management, and over six years of experience in the realm of social media, she has also mastered the arts of illustration, copywriting, and graphic design.
When she’s not busy being a creative powerhouse, you’ll find her whipping up culinary masterpieces, splashing paint on canvas, or spending time with her furry friends!
Contact Mae Directly: marketing@pasorobleschamber.com
Krista Carpenter, Business Development
Krista is an accomplished Business Development Manager with over 10 years of experience in building strong relationships, fostering connections, and driving business growth. She has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results and is deeply passionate about supporting our local community.
Born and raised in Northern California, Krista spent 11 years in Central Oregon before returning to the beautiful Central Coast, where she now resides in Templeton with her family.
Krista holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Simpson University and has dedicated her career to community engagement, volunteering, and B2B sales. Her professional journey includes living and working in Paris, France, for three years, an experience that allowed her to travel extensively across Europe and gain a global perspective.
Outside of work, Krista enjoys spending time with her family and friends, riding horses, attending rodeos, and supporting her son in his competitions. She believes in the importance of balancing professional and personal life, embracing all that the local community has to offer, and finding fulfillment through meaningful connections and experiences.
Contact Krista Directly: memberservices@pasorobleschamber.com
Debbie Bonafede, Visitor Services
Debbie Bonafede is a native Californian, born and raised in Southern California, with seven siblings who live throughout the state. In 1989 Debbie’s parents moved from Southern California to Paso Robles. Debbie fell in love with Paso Robles and has been a resident since 2007.
Debbie’s hospitality and health care career spans over thirty-five years. She joined Marriott International in 1986. Over the years Debbie has managed hotels and assisted living communities along with holding several regional positions throughout the country.
Debbie thoroughly enjoys her role as a Visitor Center Representative for the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce. She finds it exciting to assist travelers in experiencing the beauty of the Central Coast as
well as partnering with local merchants.
Contact Debbie directly: info@pasorobleschamber.com
Beth Wiesner, Visitor Services
Beth grew up in Santa Barbara and earned a Public Administration degree from USC. A California enthusiast at heart, she followed her husband's career to Seattle, Atlanta, and New Jersey before settling on the Central Coast. Along the way, she dedicated herself to volunteering, building strong communities focused on children, families, and education.
With a background in philanthropy, major gift giving, and grant writing, Beth transitioned into the wine industry in Paso Robles before joining the Chamber of Commerce. Now, as a visitor center representative, she loves creating welcoming experiences and sharing the best of the Central Coast with locals and travelers alike.
In her free time, you’ll find Beth traveling, reading, biking, volunteering, and enjoying life with her husband and family.
Contact Beth directly: info@pasorobleschamber.com
