State Chamber’s Candice Lawrence selected for prestigious U.S. Chamber Foundation program

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced Candice Lawrence, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas and Executive Director of Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives, was selected to participate in the ninth cohort of Business Leads, 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.

“I am honored and excited to be selected for the U.S. Chamber’s Business Leads Fellowship Program. As a member of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, I am particularly eager to leverage the expertise from this program to complement the great work being done to revamp Arkansas’ workforce strategy. Together with fellow leaders, I look forward to developing innovative solutions that will increase Arkansas’ competitiveness in the workforce space and contribute to the overall success of our state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations,” said Lawrence.

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” said 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.”

Lawrence was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the ninth class of this program. The eight-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 over 300 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.