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The Santa Cruz Area Chamber is thrilled to welcome two new interns to the Chamber team this summer: Mabel Moonrising and Gavin Allen, both of whom will be supporting key areas of our work in marketing, communications, and business development. Joining as our Marketing & Communications Intern, Mabel will be focused on telling the Chamber’s story and amplifying the voice of our members. Over the next few months, she will be writing and creating content for our newsletters, youtube channel,and social media platforms. She’ll also be conducting member interviews, capturing photos and videos at events, and helping track engagement trends to strengthen how we communicate and connect. Our Business Development Intern, Gavin Allen, and will focus on outreach to current and prospective members, analyzing membership data, and supporting internal strategy work. Gavin will help refine membership materials, assist with research on new business prospects, and contribute to updates of internal tools like our membership welcome packets and board policy documents. We’re incredibly grateful for Mabel and Gavin’s hard work, creativity, and dedication to the Chamber’s mission this summer. Now, in their own words, Mabel and Gavin share a bit more about who they are and what drew them to the Chamber this summer. Meet Mabel Moonrising, Marketing & Communication Intern I was born and raised here in Santa Cruz, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful place. From the redwood forests, to the endless oceans and beaches, and the amazing community of the Santa Cruz area, I do not think there is a better place to call home. Between the months of September and July, I am a senior at Oregon State University majoring in marketing with a minor in psychology. My background is in customer service, legal support, and team-based work. I’ve held a wide variety of roles, including restaurant server, legal intern, and veterinary assistant, that have helped me build strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. In school, I’ve taken courses in marketing, business, writing, and sustainability, and I’ve worked on projects that combine strategy and creativity. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 3 years old, and it is a huge part of who I am. I am especially passionate about combining marketing with disability advocacy. As someone who’s passionate about making a positive impact, I’m especially drawn to organizations that care about the people and places they serve. The Santa Cruz Chamber is exactly that. It supports a wide range of local businesses, leads important community initiatives, and brings people together with intention and purpose. I appreciate when organizations are mindful of inclusivity in their work, another reason I respect the Chamber so much. At the Chamber, I hope to contribute to their marketing and outreach efforts that strengthen connections between local businesses and the community. I also hope to help create and participate in disability advocacy events, like the Chamber's recent “Understanding ADA Compliance: What Businesses Need to Know.” I’m eager to jump in wherever I’m needed. Most of all, I want to help and support the people and businesses that make Santa Cruz such a special place. In the future, I want to work for Dexcom Diabetes. Dexcom’s mission resonates with me on a deeply personal level. I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing continuous glucose monitoring technology can be, not just in terms of managing health, but in providing peace of mind and independence. I want to be part of a company that’s not only innovating in healthcare, but also empowering people with chronic conditions to live fuller, more confident lives. I’d be proud to contribute to a team that’s having such a meaningful impact on people like me every single day. Meet Gavin Allen, Business Development Intern Hello! My name is Gavin Allen, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce as a summer intern. I am currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Oregon with a minor in economics. Growing up in Santa Cruz, I’ve always had a strong connection to this community, and it’s truly exciting to return home and contribute to the local business landscape. I am grateful for the opportunity to support the Chamber’s efforts and learn more about its pivotal role in our local economy. I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship and public service, which is why I was drawn to the Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s deep-rooted connection to Santa Cruz’s business community, its commitment to supporting small businesses, and its role in fostering civic engagement make it an ideal place for someone like me to learn and grow. Through this internship, I am looking forward to engaging with local business leaders, helping to organize impactful events, and exploring the intersection between regional policy and economic development. The chance to directly support these initiatives is a unique opportunity that I’m eager to embrace. Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time outdoors and staying active. I play golf regularly and love all kinds of sports, whether it’s basketball, at the beach, or playing guitar in my free time. I love connecting with others in the community, and I believe that fostering meaningful relationships is key to both personal and professional growth. Santa Cruz holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to making the most of my time here by contributing to the Chamber’s mission and supporting the growth of local businesses. I’m truly honored to be part of the Chamber team this summer, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute wherever I can. Whether it’s lending a hand at events, connecting with local business owners, or simply learning from the many talented people here, I’m eager to be part of something impactful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to meet you, learn more about your work, and contribute to the ongoing success of Santa Cruz’s vibrant business community.
The Santa Cruz Area Chamber is thrilled to welcome two new interns to the Chamber team this summer: Mabel Moonrising and Gavin Allen, both of whom will be supporting key areas of our work in marketing, communications, and business development.
Joining as our Marketing & Communications Intern, Mabel will be focused on telling the Chamber’s story and amplifying the voice of our members. Over the next few months, she will be writing and creating content for our newsletters, youtube channel,and social media platforms. She’ll also be conducting member interviews, capturing photos and videos at events, and helping track engagement trends to strengthen how we communicate and connect.
Our Business Development Intern, Gavin Allen, and will focus on outreach to current and prospective members, analyzing membership data, and supporting internal strategy work. Gavin will help refine membership materials, assist with research on new business prospects, and contribute to updates of internal tools like our membership welcome packets and board policy documents.
We’re incredibly grateful for Mabel and Gavin’s hard work, creativity, and dedication to the Chamber’s mission this summer. Now, in their own words, Mabel and Gavin share a bit more about who they are and what drew them to the Chamber this summer.
Meet Mabel Moonrising, Marketing & Communication Intern
I was born and raised here in Santa Cruz, and I feel so incredibly blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful place. From the redwood forests, to the endless oceans and beaches, and the amazing community of the Santa Cruz area, I do not think there is a better place to call home. Between the months of September and July, I am a senior at Oregon State University majoring in marketing with a minor in psychology. My background is in customer service, legal support, and team-based work. I’ve held a wide variety of roles, including restaurant server, legal intern, and veterinary assistant, that have helped me build strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. In school, I’ve taken courses in marketing, business, writing, and sustainability, and I’ve worked on projects that combine strategy and creativity.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 3 years old, and it is a huge part of who I am. I am especially passionate about combining marketing with disability advocacy. As someone who’s passionate about making a positive impact, I’m especially drawn to organizations that care about the people and places they serve. The Santa Cruz Chamber is exactly that. It supports a wide range of local businesses, leads important community initiatives, and brings people together with intention and purpose. I appreciate when organizations are mindful of inclusivity in their work, another reason I respect the Chamber so much.
At the Chamber, I hope to contribute to their marketing and outreach efforts that strengthen connections between local businesses and the community. I also hope to help create and participate in disability advocacy events, like the Chamber's recent “Understanding ADA Compliance: What Businesses Need to Know.” I’m eager to jump in wherever I’m needed. Most of all, I want to help and support the people and businesses that make Santa Cruz such a special place. In the future, I want to work for Dexcom Diabetes. Dexcom’s mission resonates with me on a deeply personal level. I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing continuous glucose monitoring technology can be, not just in terms of managing health, but in providing peace of mind and independence. I want to be part of a company that’s not only innovating in healthcare, but also empowering people with chronic conditions to live fuller, more confident lives. I’d be proud to contribute to a team that’s having such a meaningful impact on people like me every single day.
Meet Gavin Allen, Business Development Intern
Hello! My name is Gavin Allen, and I’m thrilled to be joining the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce as a summer intern. I am currently pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Oregon with a minor in economics. Growing up in Santa Cruz, I’ve always had a strong connection to this community, and it’s truly exciting to return home and contribute to the local business landscape. I am grateful for the opportunity to support the Chamber’s efforts and learn more about its pivotal role in our local economy.
I’ve always been passionate about entrepreneurship and public service, which is why I was drawn to the Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s deep-rooted connection to Santa Cruz’s business community, its commitment to supporting small businesses, and its role in fostering civic engagement make it an ideal place for someone like me to learn and grow. Through this internship, I am looking forward to engaging with local business leaders, helping to organize impactful events, and exploring the intersection between regional policy and economic development. The chance to directly support these initiatives is a unique opportunity that I’m eager to embrace.
Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time outdoors and staying active. I play golf regularly and love all kinds of sports, whether it’s basketball, at the beach, or playing guitar in my free time. I love connecting with others in the community, and I believe that fostering meaningful relationships is key to both personal and professional growth. Santa Cruz holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to making the most of my time here by contributing to the Chamber’s mission and supporting the growth of local businesses.
I’m truly honored to be part of the Chamber team this summer, and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute wherever I can. Whether it’s lending a hand at events, connecting with local business owners, or simply learning from the many talented people here, I’m eager to be part of something impactful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to meet you, learn more about your work, and contribute to the ongoing success of Santa Cruz’s vibrant business community.