Jennifer Chittenden, executive director of the Des Moines Downtown Chamber of Commerce, will be leaving that role next month after accepting another opportunity, the chamber’s board announced. In a letter to its members, the board leadership said Chittenden’s last day will be Oct. 23. “We are proud of what has been accomplished in the nine years that Jennifer has served with our organization,” wrote board Chairman Sid Juwarker and Chair-Elect Nominee Amanda Wiebers. “Under her leadership, we received national recognition as the 2018 Chamber of the Year from the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Among her credits are also the creation of award-winning programs: Leadership Education and Advancement Pipeline (LEAP) and Downtown DIG (Development Insights Group).” The board pledged that chamber functions will continue as usual due to the “engagement of committee leaders and the more than 100 volunteers who have consistently been engaged on chamber committees and task groups.” More information about the timeline for the executive director search will be shared as it becomes available, the chamber said.