Greater Rochester Chamber Deepens Regional Workforce Strategy through National Opportunities
ROCHESTER, NY – Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is reinforcing its leadership in workforce and education alignment through a series of high-impact initiatives aimed at strengthening the region’s talent pipeline and economic future.
Most recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that Melanie Russo, Workforce Innovation Partner at Greater Rochester Chamber, has been selected to join the twelfth cohort of its Business Leads Fellowship Program. This national fellowship brings together chamber and association leaders from across the country to explore innovative approaches for aligning education and workforce systems—from early childhood to career. Through this program, participants gain insight into how communities can better connect people to opportunities and meet evolving talent demands. Russo’s selection places the Greater Rochester Chamber within a national network of changemakers committed to rethinking traditional pathways and advancing solutions to regional workforce challenges.
“This Fellowship comes at a pivotal moment for our region, as we align our education and workforce systems to meet the demands of the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub and other emerging industries. As both a workforce strategist and a parent of four school-aged children, I see every day how important it is that young people and job seekers can clearly see, and access, a path to meaningful careers.” said Russo. “I’m honored to join this national network and look forward to bringing back practical strategies that benefit both our community members and our employers.”
Following a competitive application and selection process, Melanie 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, postsecondary education, and workforce development.
Greater Rochester Chamber’s work is rooted in partnership and long-term system-building. In addition to Melanie’s participation as a Business Leads Fellow, several other upcoming initiatives will support our region’s workforce pipeline through external opportunities. Greater Rochester Chamber will participate in the Back to School Summit in New York City on September 10th and 11th. This event is a global convening focused on bridging the gap between education and workforce systems. This is made possible through collaboration with InSpring, the administrator of Greater Rochester Chamber’s Greater ROC Global initiative to connect international talent to critical roles in the region’s hospital systems, with potential to expand that work to address needs in advanced manufacturing and education.
InSpring also facilitates the Advanced Manufacturing Skills Leadership Council, a collaborative body of employers, educators, workforce providers, and community leaders guiding the talent development strategy for the NY SMART I-Corridor. Russo serves as a Council member, representing Greater Rochester Chamber in regional efforts to coordinate talent pipeline initiatives, identify high-impact practices, and elevate local success stories to national audiences.
In parallel, Greater Rochester Chamber is spearheading our region’s participation in the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative, a data-driven framework designed to help regions validate the skills of their workforce, build employer partnerships, and match talent with in-demand opportunities. This effort complements Greater Rochester Chamber’s leadership on the STEP UP (Sector-based Training & Employer Partnerships Unified Program) initiative and expands access to practical, employer-aligned credentials for students and adults alike.
There’s no single solution to solving our workforce challenges. We must grow our talent pool by both attracting skilled international talent and expanding access to training and career pathways for historically excluded populations. It’s going to take collaboration, creativity, and a commitment to equity—and that’s exactly what these efforts represent. Greater Rochester Chamber remains committed to aligning regional resources, elevating community partnerships, and ensuring that all people in the region can connect their experience and learning to a meaningful career.