ABOUT US

Gil Pontes

Gil Pontes serves as Executive Director of the NextGen Chamber of Commerce, leading the mission to reduce barriers to entrepreneurship through policy, promoting diversity in entrepreneurship, and creating an inclusive economy. 

Gil is a champion of next generation leadership, a voice within the LGBTQIA+ community, and passionate about the intersection of politics, policy, and business. He understands the power of connection in order to build coalitions, move policy, and grow organizations.

Prior to joining NextGen, Gil was Managing Director at The Nora Project, a national disability inclusion organization, where he led their revenue operations, board relations, along with strategic marketing and communications insights. He has also served in the development department for one of Rhode Island's largest nonprofits, Thundermist Health Center. He has previously served in leadership positions at Options RI, and as Selectman for the Town of Berkley, Massachusetts, the executive branch of town government, where he championed diverse and inclusive economic measures, and was a staunch ally of the small business community.

Gil received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and resides in Wilton Manors, Florida.