West Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO selected for national business program

West Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO selected for national business program
Jodi Owczarski. <strong> Courtesy Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce </strong>

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced Jodi Owczarski, president and CEO of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, was selected to participate in the seventh cohort of its business leadership program.

After a competitive application and interview process, Owczarski was selected to join 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals and association leaders to participate in the U.S. Chamber’s six-month Business Leads Fellowship Program. 

The program, which consists of in-person and virtual meetings and workshops, trains state and local leaders to address the most pressing education and workforce challenges facing American businesses. 

According to the organization’s website, the fellowship program’s goal is “developing business leaders to be education and workforce champions in their community and better connect education systems and students to opportunity. It equips chambers of commerce and associations with the resources necessary to implement change in the education and workforce pipeline.”

The fellowship provides a network of peers, resources and access to experts and will cover topics across the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary education and workforce development to help leaders nurture their business communities. 

“Over the summer, our team met with more than 100 chamber members to understand the current state of their organization,” Owczarski said. “The No. 1 issue they are facing, regardless of industry or organization size, is workforce and talent development. The program offered by the U.S. Chamber will provide tangible assistance in delivering meaningful support to our members to address these issues.” 

Upon completion, Business Leads fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s network of over 250 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.