State Chamber’s Candice Lawrence graduates from U.S. Chamber program

Candice Lawrence, vice president for programs and partnerships with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas and executive director of Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives, 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.

“I am honored to have completed the Business Leads Fellowship Program, which has equipped me with invaluable insights and resources to address the pressing workforce challenges in our state,” said Lawrence. “The training and connections I gained through the program will be instrumental in my role on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, where I am committed to enhancing our state’s workforce competitiveness. I am also excited to apply this knowledge to my work with Junior Achievement’s new Workforce initiative, which is dedicated to empowering young adults with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the modern job market. Together, these experiences will enable me to make a meaningful impact on workforce development and economic growth in Arkansas.”

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners,” said 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, Lawrence was the only Arkansan 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 network of more than 360 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who engage on education and workforce initiatives.