Schaumburg Business Association hires new president

Kaili Benefield Harding, formerly of Whole Foods Market in Schaumburg, will become president of the Schaumburg Business Association on Monday, SBA Chairman Rich Augustine announced Friday.

Harding, a Glendale Heights resident, will be formally introduced to the membership of the nearly 11-year-old organization at the monthly Good Morning, Schaumburg breakfast on Tuesday at Chandler’s Banquets in the village.

The guest speaker at the breakfast will be Illinois Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Douglas Whitley.

Harding succeeds Tonya Lamia, who resigned in late November. Lamia was succeeded by Deborah Nelson, who served as acting president until leaving earlier this spring to join the Daily Herald.

Augustine said while working for Whole Foods, Harding has had frequent contact with the Schaumburg community through her involvement with village, Schaumburg Park District and SBA events.

Harding, reached Friday while vacationing in Georgia, agreed.

“I had a great opportunity to get to know the organization and all of the businesses in the Schaumburg area. So this was a good fit,” she said.

“We’re also hoping to promote the Schaumburg Business Association even more with upcoming programs and other events.”

Before joining Whole Foods, Harding worked as director of the Downtown District Partnership in Clarksville, Tenn., and as director of military and government affairs at the Clarksville Chamber and Economic Development Center.

Daily Herald staff writer Anna Marie Kukec contributed to this report.