The membership manager of any organization knows everyone, that is a huge part of their job!  Megan Yardis, the Membership Manager at the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce has really taken the “get to know you aspect”, to the next level! If you’ve called the chamber about anything membership, you know Megan!  But that is just the tip of the iceberg.  You see Community Proud, which shines a light on Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Members, are written each week by Megan, so she really knows what makes us tick. Megan gets the privilege of learning about the people who are our Community. She connects businesses and local community members and today, we’re excited to shine that spotlight back on her.

Megan graduated from Christopher Newport University in Virginia where she became interested in Business and Communications. Throughout her career, Megan has always focused on hospitality and marketing. She began interning while still in high school, later working in wedding planning and catering. In college, Megan spent several summers working at the Washington Football Team’s training camp in Richmond, eventually moving into venue management at the facility. When she first moved to Connecticut, she joined the team at Stone Acres Farm until she joined the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce team as Membership Manager in April of 2024.

Megan has had a significant impact on the community in the two years she’s lived here. Whether assisting a new business make its first Chamber connection, creating marketing strategies for local businesses, or helping orchestrate large-scale community events like the Lighted Boat Parade and Party of 12, Megan brings a unique point of view to everything she does. She credits Chamber President Bruce Flax with helping her fall in love with Mystic. “It’s rare to receive this warm of a welcome in a town that you’re not from,” she says. “I’m so grateful that Bruce has introduced me to so many influential people, creating an amazing map into the community.”

When asked what inspires her, Megan said her mom, Mary. “She’s the most caring, generous, compassionate person I know and I’m so honored to be her daughter.” In terms of career inspiration, Megan said, “Hard work. Seeing someone give it their all to reach a goal inspires me to do the same.” She offers this advice to other women: “Stay true to yourself, surround yourself with good people, and always have a goal. Knowing what you’re working toward makes all the difference.”

Megan is also an active volunteer—supporting organizations like the Andrew Heylmun Scholarship Foundation, the New London Homeless Hospitality Center, and the New London Community Meal Center. In her free time, her favorite thing to do is visit her family’s river house in the Northern Neck part of Virginia. A fun fact about Megan is that she participated in musical theater for twelve years growing up, and you can still catch her often listening to Broadway musicals (Les Mis is her favorite).

Megan writes the Community Proud series, learning about, and highlighting the many individuals who make our region so special. With over 60 stories told that garnered over a million social views, and her Birthday this week, the Chamber couldn’t think of a better time to feature the woman behind the words.

Thank you, Megan, for all you do to lift up Mystic and the people who call it home. You are, without a doubt, Community Proud.

About the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, for over 80 years, serves as the business voice for Groton, Stonington, and Mystic. Our mission is to advocate for business and tourism; to promote business alliances; to provide valuable benefits and services to our members; and to serve as a strong community partner in the economic development efforts in the Greater Mystic area. We sponsor and facilitate community events, promote local business and the regional tourism industry, are a resource for small business owners, provide opportunities to get involved with the community, and serve as an advocate for our members with local government.