Matt Duffy, Executive Director of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, was awarded the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award at the Kishwaukee College Foundation Annual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 2. The award honors established alumni who have demonstrated service or outstanding contributions within the Kish community.
Duffy, who has a working relationship with Kishwaukee College through the Chamber, said he was not expecting the recognition when the Foundation reached out.
“I was definitely shocked. But it is a great honor to receive this award from the Foundation,” Duffy said. “As a student, being able to have success at Kishwaukee College opened up many different avenues for me.”
Duffy transferred to Kishwaukee College from Northern Illinois University in 1993. Duffy made the switch, in part, to continue his collegiate baseball career as a pitcher after coming off an injury. Duffy performed well for the Kougars, earning post-season accolades for his work on the mound. As a student, he realized he preferred the smaller school setting as he earned an Associate in Science degree focused on Business Management.
“By going to Kish, I did much better, and my engagement was much better. When I transferred, I learned the smaller classroom setting worked for me. And by having success at Kish, I had financial opportunities through scholarships I did not have before,” Duffy said.
After Kish, Duffy transferred to Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, to study sports management on a baseball scholarship. In Florida, Duffy interned at Super Bowl XXIX and worked at the former Joe Robbie Stadium. He also worked side jobs with the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins, Miami Heat and Florida Panthers. Afterward, he took a role with the National Inline Hockey Association, which was later purchased by USA Hockey, where he helped start leagues, manage tournaments, organize clinics and more to help grow the sport of roller hockey. Following his tenure with USA Hockey, Duffy worked in numerous positions that helped shape his perspective as a professional. He ran a sports facility in Michigan, operated small businesses, worked for a local newspaper, assisted non-profits and volunteered with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.
“I have had so many different experiences that have been helpful in how I relate to the businesses we work with through the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce,” Duffy said.
In 2009, he was hired full-time at the DeKalb Chamber as the director of Membership/Marketing and was promoted to Executive Director in 2012. Over the past 15+ years, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has grown from about 400 to more than 600 members and worked to improve the area’s business climate and economic stability through various initiatives. The Chamber was recognized with the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) Outstanding Chamber of the Year in 2022. Also in 2022, Duffy completed the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Leads Fellowship Program.
Duffy and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce work with Kishwaukee College to help communicate the needs of the local workforce. As a resource for local businesses, Duffy and the Chamber can relay what type of training or programs are in demand. In turn, Kish can tailor its educational offerings to meet these demands.
“We have had a strong working relationship with the College to help us find where the challenges lie and how Kish can be a part of the solution,” Duffy said.
“No educational path is the same. Matt Duffy is a great example of how Kishwaukee College can provide new and exciting opportunities for our students. It is an honor to have him utilizing his wealth of experience to better the Kishwaukee College community. He is an excellent choice for this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award,” said Dr. Kayte Hamel, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee College Foundation.
To learn more about the Kishwaukee College Foundation and the Distinguished Alumni Award, including nominating Kish alumni, visit kish.edu/foundation.