By Elaine Kessler, Director, Foundation & Community Impact
Building the Future Together: The Business and Education Committee's Mission to Empower Gilbert
In Gilbert, we believe strong communities are built when education and business work hand in hand. That’s why the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation is proud to champion the Business and Education Committee—a dynamic, forward-thinking group committed to preparing the next generation of leaders, professionals, and changemakers.
A Shared Purpose
At the heart of this committee’s work is a simple but powerful mission: to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. We bring together local educators, business leaders, and community partners to align our efforts around a common goal—ensuring Gilbert’s students are ready for the workforce of tomorrow, and that our local industries are enriched by talent that is homegrown and well-prepared.
This is about creating a shared future where students feel confident and capable, educators feel supported, and businesses feel connected to the community in meaningful ways.
Impact by the Numbers
In the 2024–2025 year alone, the Business and Education Committee helped:
- Facilitate nearly 900 student shadowing hours with 45 students matched to more than 40 local mentors
- Host the Interview Skills Challenge, reaching 160+ students with support from 30 local business leaders
- Connect 100 business professionals to schools as classroom speakers, curriculum panelists, and mentors
- Provide $5,000 in scholarships to support local students in their educational and professional pursuits
- Propel the local event of the National Civics Bee where our Gilbert winner also took the state title and will represent Arizona in DC in the fall for the National Bee.
And we’re just getting started.
Programs That Matter
From our Regional Business & Education Summit—which gathered over 120 leaders this year—to impactful, on-campus programming, the committee’s work focuses on real-world exposure, skill-building, and relationship development. We also have the following programs that we bring to life:
- Shadowing & Mentoring: Students gain firsthand experience in local industries, building confidence, skills, and clarity about their futures.
- Interview Skills Challenge: A hands-on, supportive event where students learn the art of presenting themselves professionally.
- Student Entrepreneurs Academy: This dynamic program empowers high school students to explore entrepreneurship by helping them develop business ideas, meet with mentors, and pitch their ventures. With guidance from local business leaders, students gain a better understanding of innovation, marketing, budgeting, and leadership—skills that will serve them whether they launch a company or lead within an organization.
- Speaker Series & Classroom Engagement: Business professionals are invited into schools to share their journeys and help students connect classroom learning to real-world possibilities.
Why This Matters
Our work is rooted in the belief that when students thrive, our whole community thrives. By creating direct, sustained relationships between education and industry, we are equipping our young people with the tools, networks, and inspiration they need to lead successful lives—and we’re strengthening our town’s economic and civic fabric along the way.
We hear it time and again: These connections are life-changing. A parent shared this with us:
My daughter participated in the Foundation’s Job Shadowing/Mentorship program as a senior. Because you had so many applicants, she was not initially placed with a mentor. Your staff worked diligently to find her something in her requested field and about a week later, she received placement with the Gilbert Fire Department. Her experience was incredible. She was paired with Chief Badgett. He was amazing and created a well-rounded experience for her that worked with her school schedule. She learned so much about a potential career as a firefighter, was given great advice on paths she could pursue, and was encouraged as a young female to consider this as a future career. Thank you to your entire staff that works to keep this program going. It is an incredible experience for a young adult to gain this knowledge and receive a small taste of what work actually looks like in their field of interest. Please let the mentors know how much their time and expertise impact these students and young adults in helping them make important decisions about their future.
Looking Ahead
We are proud of what we’ve built—but even more excited for what’s next. With growing support from the business community, renewed energy from our educators, and a shared vision for Gilbert’s future, the Business and Education Committee is poised to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and continue shaping the next generation of leaders.
We invite you to get involved—whether as a mentor, speaker, sponsor, or supporter. Because when we build the future together, everyone benefits.
Want to learn more or get involved? Email Elaine Kessler at elaine@gilbertchamber.com or visit us at gilbertaz.com.