Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, September 20, Carley Swaim Walker, Senior Vice President of Workforce and Community Development of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce graduated from the ninth cohort of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s premier business leadership program, the Business Leads Fellowship Program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.
Carley Swaim Walker stated, “I’m thrilled to have graduated from the Business Leads Fellowship through the US Chamber; what an honor! The insights from our incredible speakers and the dynamic exchanges with my classmates from across the country have truly fired me up. I’m bringing back a wealth of ideas and strategies on workforce development, education policy, and the power of data to the Rappahannock Region and beyond. Let’s turn these learnings into action and make a real impact in Virginia, for our students and workforce!”
“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Caitlin Codella Low, Vice President, Policy and Programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “They, better than anyone, see the critical link between education and economic development, and we are glad to be able to support them as they take on this critical leadership role in their community.”
Following a competitive application and selection process, [Name] was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the ninth cohort of this program. The six-month program, consisting of both in person and virtual meetings, covered the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development.
Upon graduation, Business Leads Fellows join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of over 360 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.
For more information on the Business Leads Fellowship Program, visit the program’s website.