Pam Chanter says that, when she started as an insurance underwriter for Aetna more than 30 years ago, she didn’t expect make it her career: “I just took the first job offer out of college!” But fate had other ideas. She moved up the ranks into management at Aetna before being transferred in 1981 from her hometown of Portland, Oregon, to Sacramento (and later Walnut Creek). She joined Matsen Insurance in Santa Rosa in 1992, where she stayed until 2007, when she, her husband Tim and another partner bought 78 percent of Matsen and started Vantreo Insurance Brokerage.
Last year, Chanter was voted Best Business Community Leader by NorthBay biz readers. “Outside of work, I’m heavily involved on many boards and civic organizations,” she says. These include Soroptomist International, Sonoma County Economic Development Board, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital board, Santa Rosa Mayor’s Pension Reform Task Force, Santa Rosa Symphony board, Schools Plus (a children’s reading program for county schools) and Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce board. She’s also an international philanthropist, focusing many of her efforts in the Peruvian Amazon.
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “fun”?
Spending the day cooking up a delicious dinner for friends, and then enjoying it over great conversation.
Spending the day cooking up a delicious dinner for friends, and then enjoying it over great conversation.
Describe a magical childhood moment.
Our family had a summer tradition of going to Lake Hihume in British Columbia, where we packed in on horses and stayed in a primitive cabin for two weeks. We caught rainbow trout every day and lived like Swiss Family Robinson. I still remember the sounds and smells, and how bright the moon and stars were at night.
Our family had a summer tradition of going to Lake Hihume in British Columbia, where we packed in on horses and stayed in a primitive cabin for two weeks. We caught rainbow trout every day and lived like Swiss Family Robinson. I still remember the sounds and smells, and how bright the moon and stars were at night.
When you travel, do you pack too much or too little?
I’ve traveled the world since I was 18 when I carried only a backpack. Now, I usually take a small bag with mostly black clothes, a camera and great accessories. My husband brings a big suitcase, which, of course, everyone assumes is mine.
I’ve traveled the world since I was 18 when I carried only a backpack. Now, I usually take a small bag with mostly black clothes, a camera and great accessories. My husband brings a big suitcase, which, of course, everyone assumes is mine.
What’s been your most dangerous travel experience?
I was in China during the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. My travel companion said I was like a neon sign with blonde hair and blue eyes, so I bought a dark wig, wore sunglasses and spoke French for three days to avoid having rocks thrown at us—or worse. Later in the small town of Dali, sans the wig, I was immediately confronted by a Chinese TV crew, who asked me questions about our government’s involvement. This gave me visceral thoughts of being thrown in prison. I also recall vividly an earthquake in Manila, nasty critters in the Amazon rainforest and a typhoon while in Hong Kong.
I was in China during the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. My travel companion said I was like a neon sign with blonde hair and blue eyes, so I bought a dark wig, wore sunglasses and spoke French for three days to avoid having rocks thrown at us—or worse. Later in the small town of Dali, sans the wig, I was immediately confronted by a Chinese TV crew, who asked me questions about our government’s involvement. This gave me visceral thoughts of being thrown in prison. I also recall vividly an earthquake in Manila, nasty critters in the Amazon rainforest and a typhoon while in Hong Kong.
Which famous person would you least like to be stuck in an elevator with?
Charles Manson and Charlie Sheen immediately come to mind. However, I’d rather think of whom I’d like to run into in an elevator. George Clooney would be on my A list.
Charles Manson and Charlie Sheen immediately come to mind. However, I’d rather think of whom I’d like to run into in an elevator. George Clooney would be on my A list.
Who’s your favorite author and why?
This is hard, because I love to read and have so many favorites. But I can always pull out a book by Henry James, Patrick Leigh Fermor, V.S. Naipaul or Jared Diamond and find something new to ponder. A recent good read was a biography of Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, an amazing adventurer. If he were still alive, I’d definitely stop the elevator for him.
This is hard, because I love to read and have so many favorites. But I can always pull out a book by Henry James, Patrick Leigh Fermor, V.S. Naipaul or Jared Diamond and find something new to ponder. A recent good read was a biography of Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton, an amazing adventurer. If he were still alive, I’d definitely stop the elevator for him.
What’s the most interesting country you’ve visited?
I was in China in 1983 and again in 1999. The changes were dramatic. To go from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse in such a short time is amazing, but part of the country is still caught in between. On the latter trip, I took a photo of a barefoot woman wearing ethnic garb with a baby on her back walking past an Internet café. In another small town, I photographed a telephone being lowered from a four story building to the street to be rented out. Peru is a close second because of its phenomenal archeological findings.
I was in China in 1983 and again in 1999. The changes were dramatic. To go from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse in such a short time is amazing, but part of the country is still caught in between. On the latter trip, I took a photo of a barefoot woman wearing ethnic garb with a baby on her back walking past an Internet café. In another small town, I photographed a telephone being lowered from a four story building to the street to be rented out. Peru is a close second because of its phenomenal archeological findings.
What are you most passionate about?
Improving the health of children. In the 1980s, I worked on a water well project in Chiapas, Mexico, and during the past seven years, I’ve worked on a project to bring clean drinking water to Peruvian Amazon villages. I also co-chair the Sonoma County Oral Health Task Force, which is addressing the needs of local (especially Latino) children.
Improving the health of children. In the 1980s, I worked on a water well project in Chiapas, Mexico, and during the past seven years, I’ve worked on a project to bring clean drinking water to Peruvian Amazon villages. I also co-chair the Sonoma County Oral Health Task Force, which is addressing the needs of local (especially Latino) children.
It’s important to address health, education and sustainable economics for all, which is why I’ve been associated locally with Roseland University Prep and SRJC Foundation boards, and the Schools of Hope program. I’d also encourage everyone to support microenterprise and job skills training programs.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
