Laura Lyles Graduates from U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

Laura Lyles Graduates from U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Friday, January 31, Laura Lyles, President and CEO of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce graduated from the tenth 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 thankful to the U.S. Chamber for the opportunity to dive into education and workforce solutions to nation-wide challenges we all face, and I am looking forward to leaning on my amazing peers in the cohort moving forward," says Lyles.

"We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local chamber partners," says Kyle Butler, Senior Manager, Programs, K-12 Education 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, Laura was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the tenth 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 dedicated network of over 360 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.