Chamber of Commerce Staff
SHERRY
CEO
Sherry’s passion is helping people. For her, she is successful when individuals, businesses or projects thrive. Becoming the chamber’s CEO was not planned but certainly valued. She believes in “we are all better together” and cultivates relationships that empower our community and businesses.
She loves givng back to the community and does it by volunteering with many non-profits and is currently the President of Encinitas Rotary. She enjoys the beaches, the art, walking trails, and dining in the local restaurants with friends and business associates.
CAROL
Community Relations & Membership Director
A 20-year resident of Encinitas, Carol joined the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce in 2021 and oversees events, membership, marketing communications and the Visitors Center. At the Chamber she uses her 30+ years of public relations, promotions and events experience to help make a positive impact on the community, it’s businesses and especially the Chamber members. A veteran of the toy and game business and Japanese pop- culture spaces, prior to joining the Chamber she worked for Parker Brothers & Wizards of the Coast (Hasbro) as Director of Public Relations, Promotions and Consumer Relations and was their spokesperson. She spearheaded successful publicity events, including the National and World Monopoly Game Championships and the World’s Largest Sleepover, the launch of The Pokémon Trading Card game and worked on brands such as Harry Potter, MLB, NFL and Star Wars. Most recently she was partner at The Frame Shop, a marketing communications agency working with clients KONAMI, J!NX The Upper Deck Company, various board game companies, clothing retailer Draper & Damons and t-shirt manufacturer HeartThreads Clothing. On the weekend she loves exploring the trails of Olivenhain, the local beaches at low tide and having a leisurely brunch on the patio at one of Encinitas’ many restaurants.
AUTUMN
events coordinator
Autumn Benjamin is the Event Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in Community Entrepreneurship and has been passionate about small business and nonprofit work ever since. After owning a wellness company for many years, she has transferred her skills in event planning, operations, and management here to the Chamber.
Autumn’s favorite things to do in Encinitas are watching live music at the Roxy, enjoying food from the Crack Shack, or hanging out at the Cardiff state beach.
LAURA
public relations
PR consultant Laura Charlton brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate and consumer public relations and public affairs to the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce. With extensive experience in the entertainment, non-profit, education, trade and member organization industries, Laura has developed and executed strategic partnerships and cause marketing campaigns with major national corporations including Disney, Make-A-Wish, Girl Scouts of the USA and NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants.
Laura formed her own Public Relations and Marketing Consultancy Firm in 2006 and has focused her talents locally to generate exceptional coverage and awareness for San Diego clients including the Encinitas Chamber, the San Dieguito Heritage Museum, Make-A-Wish San Diego, Keep California Beautiful, The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, the La Costa Film Festival and Kitchens for Good. She is especially proud of her work for the Chamber writing the bi-weekly column “Chamber Chatter” for The Coast News and in making Chamber Director Carol Knight into a local celebrity as the official Chamber media spokesperson.
Her perfect day in Encinitas includes a walk on Swami’s beach followed by lunch at La Especial Norte and meeting up with friends at Biergarten or Union.
