Business Beat: NRI Chamber’s Monika Zuluaga graduates from US Chamber fellowship program 

Fellowship Provides State and Local Business Leaders with Opportunities to Engage Nationally on Critical Education and Workforce Issues 

Monika Zuluaga, Vice President of Membership & Strategic Partnerships of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce graduated from the tenth cohort of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s premier business leadership program, the Business Leads Fellowship 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.

“Participating in the Business Leads Fellowship Program has been an incredible experience that has strengthened my ability to support businesses in our region. Workforce development is at the heart of economic growth, and this program has provided me with the tools and insights to bridge the gap between education and industry needs. I look forward to leveraging these learnings to create impactful opportunities for businesses and professionals in Northern Rhode Island,” said Monika Zuluaga. 

“We created the Business Leads Fellowship Program in response to the needs of our state and local Chamber partners,” says Kyle Butler, Senior Manager, Programs, K-12 Education at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “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, Monika Zuluaga was selected along with 34 other state and local chamber executives, economic development professionals, and association leaders to participate in the tenth cohort of this program. The six-month program, consisting of both in person and virtual meetings, covered the entire talent pipeline, including early childhood education, K-12, postsecondary education, and workforce development.  

Upon graduation, Business Leads Fellows join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s dedicated network of over 360 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.

About the NRI Chamber: 

The Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of businesses in the communities of Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Scituate, Smithfield and Woonsocket. The NRI Chamber leads the Chamber of Commerce Coalition, representing 10 area chambers of commerce. The Coalition is the largest business advocate in the State of RI representing more than 6,500 businesses and 70,000 employees statewide.  For more information about the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, call (401)-334-1000 or visit www.nrichamber.com.