Ruby set to lead Greater Danbury Chamber, replacing Prunty

DANBURY – The general manager of Danbury Fair Mall Maura Ruby is leaving her longtime post to become the next president and CEO of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce.

This leadership change comes as a result of current chamber head P.J. Prunty moving on to a new position as director of development for Bright Ravens Development LLC in Danbury, according to the chamber’s board of directors.

Ruby plans to leverage her business acumen and community knowledge to support the business community network and Greater Danbury’s economic interests.

“Maura has an excellent and long-standing experience in the business community and a keen understanding of the region’s economic and philanthropy backbone along with a broad network of regional legislative and municipal relationships that will serve our members – small and large, new, and old – extremely well in the future,” said Martin Morgado, chamber chair and president and CEO of  Savings Bank of Danbury.

Ruby, who started at the mall in 1993 as marketing manager, has high aspirations for the chamber of commerce.

“With the incredibly talented team we have in place, in addition to the foundational strength of the membership the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce has a tremendous opportunity to be the premier business-minded advocacy organization for Western Connecticut and that is exactly what we expect to become,” Ruby said.

Ruby has been general manager for the bulk of her 31 years there. Ruby’s primary focus over the past few decades has been centered on fostering strong community and business relationships, operational oversight, leasing, and asset management.

The Greater Danbury Chamber organization is a very familiar environment for her, as she has recently held the vice chair post on the board.

Working through the pandemic, P.J. was instrumental in maintaining the business resources and developing a quality team, reestablishing a successful programing calendar, in addition to the integration of the Newtown and Brookfield chambers, while advancing the strategic goals of the organization to support the business community.

“We are grateful for P.J.’s stewardship over the last nearly seven years, and we look forward to working with him as a resourceful member of the Greater Danbury Chamber organization,” Morgado said.

Prunty plans on being quite involved in the chamber going forward.

“It has been a tremendous opportunity to have served the businesses and nonprofits throughout the Greater Danbury area and I look forward to continuing to be involved with the business community in my new capacity,” Prunty said.

The chamber business plan supports a vibrant and diverse business environment.

“I look to help jump start the business community’s awareness to our resources, elevate business support and workforce development,” she said.