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

Fellowship Provides State and Local Chambers with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues

Press Release
March 25, 2019

Contact:
Lynn Berry
417-243-2137
LBerry@BransonCVB.com

Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Heather Hardinger, Director of Workforce Strategy & Programs of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Taney County Partnership was selected to participate in the second 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 thrilled and honored to have been selected to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Leads Fellowship program, representing Taney County and the Ozark region as a thought leader in workforce and economic development,” says Hardinger.  “The U.S. Chamber offers a wealth of resources to Chambers of Commerce nationwide. I look forward to opportunities to both share and gain valuable insight from other participants to take back to my community.”

“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, Hardinger was selected along with 33 other state and local chamber executives to participate in the second class of this program. The three-month program, which concludes in July 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.

Given the overwhelming interest in the program, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will host a third cohort this year.

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

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About Branson, Missouri

Branson is a unique family-friendly place to live, work and play. Set in the beautiful hills of the Ozark Mountains with three pristine lakes, Branson is a top-rated family vacation destination with music shows, theme parks, museums, attractions, championship golf courses, shopping and much more. Branson is also a great place to call home with award-winning healthcare facilities and higher education to real estate options for any family. For more information, go to www.BransonChamber.com.