Monday, March 14, 2022

Schuylkill Chamber's Kelly Preneta Graduates from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program


On Thursday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Kelly Preneta, finance and administrative director of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce graduated from its premier business leadership program. 

The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and statewide 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.

Originally selected in February 2020 following a competitive application and selection process, Kelly graduates with 25 other state and local business leaders from the program’s fourth cohort. The yearlong virtual program covered the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, higher education, and workforce development, and culminated with an in-person meeting in Palm Springs, California last week.

“As clearly displayed throughout this program, state and local leaders know better than anyone the critical link between education and economic development,” says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the Center for Education and Workforce. “Not only did the Fellows gain a network of peers and experts in the field, but the program is also designed to help these leaders find opportunities to develop initiatives that will continue to advance the growth of their local economy and put education policy into practice.”

Upon program completion, Business Leads Fellows join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of 220 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the country who regularly engage on the most impactful education and workforce initiatives.