US Chamber of Commerce names its first new leader in 24 years By Lauren Hirsch New York Times,Updated February 9, 2021, 10:32 p.m. Email to a Friend Suzanne Clark.Salwan Georges/The Washington Po/Photographer: Salwan Georges/The The US Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday appointed Suzanne Clark as its next chief executive, one of the most powerful jobs in business, ending a 24-year run by Thomas J. Donohue. Clark will have to manage a bitterly divided Washington as the chamber, the nationâs largest business lobbying group, seeks to cement a transition from being a steadfast Republican ally to promoting bipartisan moderation.