Merritt selected for U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Leads fellowship program

MACOMB, Ill. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently announced Lauren Merritt, executive director of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, has been selected to participate in the eighth cohort of its premiere business leadership 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.

In a press release, Merritt said, “Workforce instability has been an issue for some time now, and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I look forward to bringing the knowledge and tools I gain back to the Macomb-area community so we can work together to build a strong talent pipeline that will help support our area employers for years to come.”

“We created the Business Leads fellowship program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the Center for Education and Workforce. “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, Merritt was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the eighth class of this program. The six-month program, consisting of both in person and virtual meetings, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary education and workforce development.

Upon completion, Business Leads fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of more than 250 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.