The Newton-Needham Chamber has elected Samantha Sherman, the Chief Development and External Relations Officer at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Needham, to a three-year term on its board of directors.

“Sam Sherman brings energy, passion and tremendous skill as a communicator and fundraiser to our board,” said Rachel Hillman, chair of the Newton-Needham Chamber’s board. “And BID–Needham is an integral part of our community and a great chamber partner. We’re delighted to have her on our team.”

A Newton native who presently resides in Needham, Sherman is responsible for the direction, management, and coordination of all the external relations activities at the hospital, including fundraising, marketing and communications, board relations, community relations and benefits, government relations, and volunteer services.

Sherman arrived BID–Needham in July 2012 from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where she was the Executive Director of Development and Strategic Planning, serving as a lead strategist on the medical center’s $300 million capital campaign and was responsible for marketing and communications, donor relations, annual giving and board relations for nearly 15 years.

“I’m looking forward to working with such a talented chamber board,” said Sherman. “The Newton-Needham Chamber is incredibly innovative and that’s reflected in its tremendous growth. The hospital has a deep commitment to the communities of Newton and Needham and our relationship with the chamber helps us to continue to strengthen that.”