Jennifer Tavares, president and CEO of the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, has been hired as the director of Cornell’s Office of Community Relations, part of the Division of University Relations. Tavares will start in her new role on Oct. 16.

Since January, the office has been led by Interim Director Susan Riley, who assumed the duties following the retirement of Gary Stewart after 21 years at Cornell.

“I first want to offer my thanks to Susan Riley for her leadership, and to the entire community relations team for its hard work and dedication during this period of transition,” said Joel M. Malina, vice president for university relations. “We’re excited to welcome Jennifer to University Relations. The depth and breadth of her experience in Tompkins County and beyond, and her unique understanding of the potential for collaboration between Cornell and the surrounding community, make her the ideal person to fill this critical role.”

Tavares, a certified economic developer, has been president of the Tompkins County Chamber since 2014. She also serves as a visiting lecturer in the Master of Public Administration program in the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy. She has more than two decades of experience in nonprofit organization management; economic and community development; and government and public relations, among other skills.

“I’m excited for the opportunity, and honored to have been selected for this role,” Tavares said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Community Relations team frequently during my 10 years at the Chamber. I understand the importance of the work, value the team’s approach to community relations, and look forward to continuing to develop and enhance Cornell’s critical relationships with local community stakeholders.”

Tavares sees “a lot of synergies and opportunities” between Cornell and the community.

“I believe there is significant potential that that can be realized for mutual benefit,” she added. “I have long enjoyed being a connector and convener, bringing together individuals, organizations, private business, institutional partners and local government to support positive outcomes and collaborative problem solving in the community.”

Prior to joining the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Tavares was director of economic development for Commerce Chenango in her hometown of Norwich (2007-14) and executive director of the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce (2005-07).

Tavares graduated in 1998 from State University of New York College, Potsdam, with a bachelor’s in English, speech communications and studio arts. She and her husband, Nathan Tavares, live in Lansing; their sons, ages 20 and 17, attend Drexel University and Rochester Institute of Technology, respectively.

Cornell’s Office of Community Relations has been recognized numerous times for its work in the local community, including the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Award, awarded by the Community Dispute Resolution Center and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. In 2016, the office received the Presidential Excellence Award from the International Town Gown Association, for initiatives related to race, economic development and leadership.

The office’s weekly radio show, “All Things Equal,” which started in 2007, focuses on issues of diversity, equity and sustainability, aiming to provide a platform for respect and empathy. The City of Ithaca recognized the show in 2019, proclaiming April 23 as “All Things Equal Day” in honor of its 600th episode.

In 2011, the office established the annual Town-Gown Awards, known as the TOGOs, which celebrate the connections between Cornell and local communities, and highlight the achievements of local leaders who have left or are leaving high-profile positions.