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 Jake Mangas, president and CEO of the Redding Chamber of Commerce was selected to participate in the seventh 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.

“This is a rare opportunity to represent Redding and Shasta County on a national level to learn how to better address workforce challenges that are affecting so many of our businesses,” Mangas asserts. “We hope to create a stronger relationship and deeper understanding between local businesses and our partners in education and workforce development by learning from the best and brightest across the country.”

“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, Mr. Mangas was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and
association leaders to participate in the seventh 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.

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