Dear Chamber Members,

I’m excited to share some exciting news with you — I’ve been selected to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Business Leads Fellowship Program, a national initiative focused on education and workforce development.

This opportunity brings together 35 leaders from chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations across the country. Over the next six months, we’ll explore best practices and innovative strategies to help address one of the most critical issues facing our region: building a strong, skilled workforce.

It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Mohawk Valley. With growth in advanced manufacturing, AI, cybersecurity, and UAS research, the need to connect education and industry has never been more urgent — or more promising. This fellowship will give me access to tools, resources, and a powerful network of changemakers that I’ll bring back to support our members and our community.

Here’s where you come in:

I want your voice to be part of this journey. If you’re facing workforce challenges, have ideas to share, or want to engage in our region’s talent development efforts, I’d love to hear from you. Your insights will help shape how we advocate, collaborate, and innovate on your behalf.

Please feel free to reach out to me directly at kpuleo@greateruticachamber.org — or just reply to this message. Let’s make sure the solutions we’re building reflect the real needs and opportunities right here in the Greater Utica area.

Thank you for your continued support — and for being the reason this Chamber is worth representing on the national stage.

Kari