Lauren James
Women in History Month Honoree – LA County First Supervisory District -2025
Women of Achievement CA Senate 30th District -2025
Learn, Earn, Live, and Thrive in the San Gabriel Valley Aligning Skills, Education, and Opportunity for a Resilient Future
As President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley, I am proud to share a vision rooted in empowerment: that every individual in our region deserves the opportunity to learn, earn, live, and ultimately thrive.
To bring this vision to life, we are aligning education and workforce development with the most urgent and promising opportunities of today and tomorrow. From strengthening the supply chain industry to accelerating recovery through community rebuilding in the aftermath of wildfires, we are investing in the skills that matter most—skills that fuel resilience, create economic mobility, and fortify our local economy.
Rebuilding our Communities
The devastating wildfires that have affected parts of our region in recent years have not only disrupted lives—they have revealed the urgent need for skilled labor in recovery and climate-resilient infrastructure. These challenges are also economic opportunities: to train a new generation of workers in construction, restoration, sustainable land management, disaster preparedness, and clean energy—and to ensure that these jobs go to our residents. By connecting displaced workers and underserved youth to training and certifications, we can rebuild stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities across the San Gabriel Valley.
Highlighting Skills Currency
A cornerstone of this strategy is our alignment with the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) movement, which champions data-driven pathways to success by validating skills currency—the real-world, measurable capabilities that workers bring to the table. Rather than relying solely on traditional degrees, ERP emphasizes competency-based credentials that reflect what individuals can actually do in the workplace. By integrating ERP-aligned training into our workforce initiatives, we are empowering students, career changers, and incumbent workers to earn industry-recognized certifications in high-demand sectors such as logistics, enterprise systems, and climate-resilient construction. This approach ensures that talent development is responsive, inclusive, and directly aligned with employer needs and regional growth.
A Focus on Women’s Entrepreneurship
This year, I am placing a special focus on women’s entrepreneurship development. While women are starting businesses at rates that outpace men, they continue to face significant structural barriers. On average, women-owned businesses generate $193,000 in annual revenue, compared to $754,000 for men-owned businesses. Even more troubling, women of color-owned businesses experience greater disparities in financing and market access.
Through our Chamber’s advocacy, programs, and partnerships, we are committed to changing that narrative. We will champion equitable access to capital, mentorship, technical assistance, and market opportunities—ensuring that all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender or background, have the tools and support they need to succeed.
This year, we will launch a Women in Leadership Forum Series, empowering and motivating women to scale up their success.
Building a Glocal Future
The San Gabriel Valley stands at the crossroads of regional growth and global relevance. Through Glocalization, we are simultaneously tapping into global markets while building a stronger local economy. This includes supporting small and mid-sized businesses, nurturing diverse industries, and preparing our communities for the international spotlight of upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
As we rebuild and reimagine the future of our communities—especially those impacted by natural disasters—it is essential that local talent development remains a core strategy. Whether it’s training youth in disaster recovery trades or equipping displaced workers with digital and operational skills, we are committed to ensuring that our people remain at the heart of economic transformation.
Together, let’s build a San Gabriel Valley where every resident has the opportunity to learn with purpose, earn with dignity, live with security, and thrive with pride.
Warm regards,
Lauren James
President, Board of Directors
Regional Chamber of Commerce – San Gabriel Valley
