For immediate release:
May 19, 2023
Kristin Urbach Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program
Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced Kristin Urbach, Executive Director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the eighth cohort of 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 to be selected as a state business leader to participate in the U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship program. I am looking forward to working with fellow executive leaders nationwide to address the most pressing education and workforce issues in our country and to heighten my knowledge of successful programs in other states to advocate true quality policy making in Rhode Island,” says Kristin Urbach, Executive Director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce and WindWinRI.
“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, Kristin Urbach was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders from 22 states to participate in the eighth class of this program. The six-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 250 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.