(LAGRANGE) – LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sara Patrick has received a special honor.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has announced that Patrick has been selected to participate in the twelfth cohort of its premier 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.

Patrick says being selected for the Business Leads Fellowship is not just an honor, it’s a strategic opportunity for LaGrange County. The Chamber’s Next-Level Workforce efforts are built on the belief that their future workforce is being built today, and this program will allow the LaGrange County Chamber to take that vision even further. Patrick says through the insights, connections, and tools gained in this Fellowship, they will be able to strengthen their work-based learning initiatives, elevate employer partnerships, and create lasting, generational impact for students, families, and businesses across the community.

Following a competitive application and selection process, Patrick was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the twelfth 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, post secondary education, and workforce development.

Upon completion, Business Leads Fellows will join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of over 400 chambers of commerce and statewide associations from around the nation who regularly engage on education and workforce initiatives.