Kalispell Chamber Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

Kate Lufkin of the Kalispell Chamber was selected for prestigious program which provides state and local chambers with opportunities to engage nationally on critical education and workforce issues

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Kate Lufkin, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the third cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges.

“I am incredibly honored to have received this opportunity and look forward to developing new and innovative programs for Kalispell and the Flathead Valley. Education and workforce development is a top priority for the Kalispell Chamber in 2019 and I am eager to further develop strong connections between industry and education,” says Lufkin.

“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, Kate was selected along with 33 other state and local chamber executives to participate in the third class of this program. The four-month program, which concludes in September 2019, will cover the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education, and workforce development.

Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of 200 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.

For a full list of participants in the Business Leads Fellowship Program, visit the U.S. Chamber Foundation website.