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AIM Appoints Swanson, Hamer to Key Positions

Posted on January 17, 2023

AIM announced today that it has bolstered its already strong Government Affairs and Membership operations with the addition of two high-profile executives with extensive experience at the intersection of business and politics.

State House veteran Stephanie Swanson, most recently Chief of Staff and General Counsel for the Office of Senator Eric P. Lesser, joins AIM as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

Rachael Hamer, formerly Public Affairs Manager for Intel Corporation, has been named Vice President, Director of Member Engagement and Services.

Both women are expected to expand the ability of the statewide business association to represent the interests of its 3,400 member employers throughout the commonwealth.

Ms. Swanson spent more than a decade working on Beacon Hill. She oversaw long-term strategic planning and day-to-day management and operation of Senator Lesser’s State House and District Offices, including a staff of five. She also coordinated and managed the senator’s legislative and policy portfolio, including three omnibus economic development packages

“Stephanie Swanson is a respected government affairs professional who brings tremendous knowledge and experience to AIM at a time of great change in state government. She will add another strong voice for the business community as the members of AIM adjust to a new administration, new constitutional officers and a raft of complex issues,” said Brooke Thomson, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs.

Ms. Swanson joins a government affairs team that also includes Senior Vice President Robert Rio and Vice Presidents Vasundhra Sangar and Sam Larson.

A political science and economics graduate of Tufts University, Ms. Swanson studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science before earning her law degree in 2012 from Northeastern University School of Law.

Ms. Hamer’s accomplishments at Intel included forging relationships with community partners, government officials, as well as business and community groups in Massachusetts, Texas and New Mexico. She served for six years as a member of the AIM Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Intel, she served as membership specialist and program manager for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts.

Ms. Hamer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

“Rachael’s knowledge of AIM and AIM HR Solutions will help her get off to a fast start in her new role leading the engagement and member services team that also includes Gaetan Kashala, Laura Hardenstine and Brenda Cordeiro,” said Christopher Kealey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at AIM.

“Working together in the year ahead, we will develop new and exciting opportunities to grow AIM’s membership and add value for our diverse group of 3,400 member companies representing 150 industry sectors across the Commonwealth.”