The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has brought in an outside expert to conduct an investigation to determine whether “the Chamber exemplifies best practices for maintaining a welcoming and inclusive workplace.”
According to a statement released by Chamber ALX Board of Directors Chair Stephanie Beyer Kirby, the move came after Business Insider published an article that contained multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment by executives at the United Way Worldwide, which is headquartered here in Alexandria. The Business Insider article focused in part on claims against former United Way COO Joe Haggerty, who is now CEO of the Chamber ALX.
The complete statement released late Monday from the Chamber ALX Board of Directors is as follows:
“Recently, the Chamber ALX was made aware of an article that ran in the Business Insider publication regarding United Way Worldwide and which referenced Chamber ALX CEO, Joe Haggerty. The article contained allegations from more than five years ago when Mr. Haggerty was employed by United Way. While there is nothing in this article concerning Mr. Haggerty’s tenure with the Chamber ALX, the Board of Directors takes this matter very seriously. The Chamber Board has engaged an independent third party to conduct an internal review of policies and procedures as well as interviews with staff to be certain that the Chamber exemplifies best practices for maintaining a welcoming and inclusive workplace.”
The Chamber ALX declined to make any additional comments.
Haggerty, in the Business Insider article, denied the allegations.
