Chamber Welcomes New College and Career Director; Auslander Adds Federal Duties

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has a new director of college and career readiness initiatives. Shelley Huffman previously worked for the Indiana State Budget Agency, Office of the Governor, under two administrations and was responsible for the funding oversight for the Indiana Department of Education.

Huffman is also a former business development strategist for Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis and served as a governor’s fellow to the Commission for Higher Education before joining the private sector. She brings a background in project management and fiscal and strategic planning in both education and business.

Huffman will be in charge of the Indiana Chamber’s college and career readiness initiatives and related workforce strategies, with the goal being to “assist employers in engaging, educating and elevating their workforce,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “That’s one of the most critical tasks facing our state. We welcome Shelley and look forward to her helping us continue to make strides on that front.”

The Indiana Chamber has been a steady and visible leader in this area with its programs, advocacy efforts and reports – highlighted by the Indiana Vision 2025 long-range economic development plan that puts a premium focus on the workforce.

A Fishers resident, Huffman earned her MBA from Butler University and bachelor’s degrees in business and political science from Ball State University.

Businesses and others interested in more information about the Indiana Chamber’s workforce programs can contact Huffman at (317) 264-7548 or at shuffman@indianachamber.com.


CarylAuslander-smallSeparately, the Indiana Chamber has announced that Caryl Auslander, the vice president of education and workforce development, also will now be handing the organization’s federal affairs and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.

A Hoosier native, Auslander spent significant time in the nation’s capital before returning to Indiana, including three years on the staff of then U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and several years as a federal lobbyist. More recently, Auslander led federal advocacy projects for the Indianapolis-based firm, The Corydon Group.

“Caryl already has strong relationships with many members of Indiana’s delegation and a real passion for this work,” offers Brinegar. “In this role, she will serve as the staff liaison for the Indiana Chamber’s Congressional Affairs Committee and work with Indiana’s congressional delegation on key issues that impact Indiana businesses and their employees.”

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has a new director of college and career readiness initiatives. Shelley Huffman previously worked for the Indiana State Budget Agency, Office of the Governor, under two administrations and was responsible for the funding oversight for the Indiana Department of Education.

Huffman is also a former business development strategist for Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis and served as a governor’s fellow to the Commission for Higher Education before joining the private sector. She brings a background in project management and fiscal and strategic planning in both education and business.

Huffman will be in charge of the Indiana Chamber’s college and career readiness initiatives and related workforce strategies, with the goal being to “assist employers in engaging, educating and elevating their workforce,” says Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. “That’s one of the most critical tasks facing our state. We welcome Shelley and look forward to her helping us continue to make strides on that front.”

The Indiana Chamber has been a steady and visible leader in this area with its programs, advocacy efforts and reports – highlighted by the Indiana Vision 2025 long-range economic development plan that puts a premium focus on the workforce.

A Fishers resident, Huffman earned her MBA from Butler University and bachelor’s degrees in business and political science from Ball State University.

Businesses and others interested in more information about the Indiana Chamber’s workforce programs can contact Huffman at (317) 264-7548 or at shuffman@indianachamber.com.

Separately, the Indiana Chamber has announced that Caryl Auslander, the vice president of education and workforce development, also will now be handing the organization’s federal affairs and lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C.

A Hoosier native, Auslander spent significant time in the nation’s capital before returning to Indiana, including three years on the staff of then U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar and several years as a federal lobbyist. More recently, Auslander led federal advocacy projects for the Indianapolis-based firm, The Corydon Group.

“Caryl already has strong relationships with many members of Indiana’s delegation and a real passion for this work,” offers Brinegar. “In this role, she will serve as the staff liaison for the Indiana Chamber’s Congressional Affairs Committee and work with Indiana’s congressional delegation on key issues that impact Indiana businesses and their employees.”

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