Chamber’s Darlene Blanco Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced that Darlene Blanco, Head of Workforce and Talent Development of the Staten Island 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.

“Given the growing complexity and uncertainty of today’s workforce, where access and retention to talent is an increasingly pressing challenge for businesses in Staten Island, partnerships between our workforce and education communities are more critical than ever,” said Darlene Blanco. “I am honored and excited to participate in The Business Leads Fellowship Program, where I look forward to learning from and contributing to the immense knowledge base this group provides. These newfound connections and resources will help advance the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce’s singular goal: serving the small business community in our Borough.”

Blanco, a strategist experienced in forming key relationships and building customized curriculums for assemblies and workshops focused on college and career readiness, was nominated by Linda Baran, President & CEO of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, to participate in the program. “This valuable cohort will play a vital role in helping us build concise curriculum and programming to serve our community and better align the skills of applicants with employer needs,” said Baran. “The new data and findings will allow us to think innovatively and help us further develop our focused strategies of bringing programs to boost economic development in our communities.” 

“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, Blanco 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.