Overview of the work and accomplishments of the Missouri Chamber Foundation in 2025.
RESEARCH.
It is my honor to be taking on the role as the chair as the newly created board of directors of the Missouri Chamber Foundation.
Over the last ten years since we reimagined the Missouri Chamber Foundation through the launch of our statewide economic vision, Missouri 2030, we have elevated our organization. Some of the most significant economic policy that has passed in the last decade can be tied to the Missouri 2030 strategic plan and the vision provided by the business leaders who helped author it.
Our workforce and leadership development programs have connected individuals to meaningful careers while meeting employers’ evolving needs.
Our education programs connecting students with real world jobs and work experience are helping accelerate the success of our workforce and the businesses where they work.
Now it is time to build an even stronger Missouri Chamber Foundation that enables even greater employer input, action and impact into our work by Missouri’s business community.
If you are a business leader who is passionate about the future of Missouri and is willing to contribute ideas to make Missouri a better place to live and work, please let us know.
We are changing lives and setting a course to be the best state in the nation to live and have a business.
We welcome the opportunity to work with you!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Vojicic President, Anthem Blue Cross
Stephanie Vojicic President, Anthem Blue Cross Chair, Missouri Chamber Foundation
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
ACTION. IMPACT.
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS...
36 SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC POLICY CHANGES TIED TO MISSOURI CHAMBER FOUNDATION STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS .
$10.5 MILLION IN STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING SECURED TO HELP MISSOURI EMPLOYERS TRAIN MORE THAN 5,500 APPRENTICES FOR HIGH DEMAND JOBS. 82,000 + YOUTH AND EDUCATORS PARTICIPATED IN MISSOURI CHAMBER FOUNDATION CAREER EXPLORATION EVENTS.
Missouri Chamber Foundation 2026 Annual Report
RESEARCH
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BY THE YEAR 2050, WE NEED TO DOUBLE OUR AGRICULTURE OUTPUT TO FEED THE WORLD AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO KEEP INNOVATING. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE MISSOURI CHAMBER TO MAKE SURE THOSE ADVANCES HAPPEN RIGHT HERE IN OUR STATE.
SEN. KURTIS GREGORY
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IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH A PURPOSE AND THAT WE ALSO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PLAN. THE MISSOURI CHAMBER IS PROVIDING THAT.
SEN. BRIAN WILLIAMS
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
RESEARCH Through nonpartisan, data driven research, the Missouri Chamber Foundation brings together Missouri business leaders to identify complex challenges, craft sound policy recommendations and drive a future-focused vision to expand economic growth and prosperity for all Missourians. The Missouri Chamber Foundation provides information and proposed solutions to business leaders, legislators, the governor and other state leaders on issues critical to our state’s future, such as:
• Workforce shortages • Employee skills gaps • Technology and innovation • Transportation funding • Energy security • Broadband access • Regulatory reform • Water supply • Tax modernization • Tort reform • Entrepreneurism • Manufacturing / reshoring • Public safety
We identify the issues that no one else is addressing and we inspire action. We contract with nationally recognized pollsters and economists and are building a strong in-house team of reseachers to uncover data-driven solutions. Using the Missouri Chamber Foundation as a long-term policy think tank will allow the business community to get out in front on many issues to ensure that Missouri is a winner in the global jobs war. We are winning. The most significant economic policy changes in the last decade can be tied back to research and recommendations generated by Missouri’s business community through the Missouri Chamber Foundation. Missouri Chamber Foundation 2026 Annual Report
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ACTION
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT The Missouri Chamber Foundation also focuses on the state’s workforce shortages through employer-led solutions that expand opportunity and drive economic growth. Over the last five years, through our workforce development initiatives, the Missouri Chamber Foundation has deployed more than $10.5 million in state and federal grants to train Missourians for high demand jobs. In all, the Missouri Chamber Foundation has connected more than 5,500 Missourians to careers in IT and health care and partnered with hundreds of employers across the state to grow their workforces. But we are not stopping there. A $250,000 grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will allow the Missouri Chamber Foundation to extend its successful apprenticeship model to manufacturing careers in 2026. Professional development programs like Leadership Missouri, now in its 35th year, and our hiring academies, the newest addition to the Missouri Chamber Foundation, are helping employers refine their skills. The Missouri Chamber Foundation also reaches into K-12 schools to help Missouri students see what is possible. Through our Show-Me Careers program, the Missouri Chamber Foundation has engaged 1,400 educators and impacted 182,000 students statewide, helping connect classrooms with careers and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. Through a partnership with rootEd, the program operates in 11 communities across the state, including Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Cape Girardeau, Joplin, St. Joseph, Rolla, West Plains, Hannibal, Carthage and Sedalia. Health Care Career Day is an annual, virtual event that allows students to learn more about careers in health care. The program, provided in partnership with the Missouri Hospital Association, reaches thousands of students annually and has been expanded to 28 additional states.
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
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HAVING A TEAM AROUND ME WHO HAS A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE HAS HELPED ME GROW AND EXPLORE. I’M JUST SO GLAD I’M IN THIS COMPANY. JAZMIN DELGADO APPRENTICE WITH CYDERES IN KANSAS CITY PART OF THE INDUSTRY-DRIVEN IT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
IMPACT
Industry-Driven IT Apprenticeship Program
Grant program providing incentives and resources to IT employers creating or expanding apprenticeship programs. 4,500 apprentices trained to date $63,000 average salary upon completion ________________________________________ Industry-Driven Health Care Apprenticeship Program Grant program providing incentives and resources to Missouri hospitals creating or expanding apprenticeship programs. 1,120 apprentices trained to date $52,000 average salary upon completion ________________________________________ Show-Me Careers A professional development program for educators and counselors to learn firsthand about relevant career pathways in today’s business and industry settings. 1,400 educators and counselors trained to date 182,000 Missouri students reached to date
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
Health Care Career Day A virtual event provided to students across the nation to provide insight to in- demand health care careers. 15,000 students participated in 2025 580 educators and health care employees involved in 2025 ___________________________________________ emerging leaders throughout the state, enhances their leadership skills and deepens their knowledge of the state’s opportunities and challenges. 1,200 Leadership Missouri alumni to date 35 years in operation ___________________________________________ Leadership Missouri Program that identifies current and Military Hiring Academy Pilot program in 2025 that brought together business leaders, human resource managers and experts in hiring and supporting veteran workers. 30 companies learning how to better recruit and hire some of the 340 ,000 veterans living in our state.
Fair Chance Hiring Academy Pilot program in 2025 that brought together business leaders, human resource managers and experts in hiring formerly incarcerated individuals. 25 participants learning how to better engage and hire some of the 19,000 individuals released from Missouri correctional facilities each year. ___________________________________________ apprenticeship seekers with available apprenticeship training programs. 980 apprentices registered in 2025 330 employers involved in 2025 600 apprenticeship positions promoted in 2025 Apprentice Connect A web portal that connects
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
Please help us leverage the Missouri Chamber Foundation to amplify the voice of Missouri employers and make an impact on the state’s economy and workers who fuel it. We are committed to addressing the most pressing problems facing Missouri employers -- persistent population and workforce challenges, energy and infrastructure demands, changing business landscape and the increasing need for collaborative and innovative solutions. We encourage you to explore this report, celebrate our achievements from the past years, and help us chart a course for the future.
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
MISSOURI CHAMBER FOUNDATION STAFF
Karen Buschmann Executive Director, Missouri Chamber Foundation
Kara Corches President / CEO, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Heidi Geisbuhler Sutherland Vice President of Policy, Missouri Chamber Foundation
Brian Crouse COO, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Operates Show-Me Careers and Health Care Career Day)
(Economic policy research and polling)
Crystal Narr Director of Leadership Missouri, Missouri Chamber Foundation
Lori Bonnot Director of Workforce / Grants, Missouri Chamber Foundation (Operates IT, health care, manufacturing grant programs; apprenticeship portal; fair-chance and military hiring academies; Missouri Technology Alliance trip)
Missouri Chamber Foundation Annual Report
Karen Buschmann, Executive Director 428 East Capitol Ave. | P.O. Box 149 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-634-3511 mochamber.com
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