CASA Development Director Laura Green graduates from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management
HUNTSVILLE, TX – Laura Green, Development Director at CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties, has achieved a significant milestone by completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management (IOM) program.
The IOM program is a premier professional development initiative designed to enhance leadership skills and strengthen non-profit organizations’ operations. Over four years, participants complete 96 hours of comprehensive courses and engage in valuable networking opportunities. “It’s a four-year program that the U.S. Chamber offers,” Green explained. “It’s not just for Chamber of Commerce employees but also includes non-profit organizations and associations.”
Green expressed her gratitude for the support she received from both her former and current employers. “I started this journey with the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce and was very thankful to finish thanks to my leadership at CASA of Walker County,” she said. Green noted that the program’s broad curriculum covered essential topics such as finance, government, event planning, and leadership, providing participants with a robust foundation to drive their organizations forward.
The IOM program hosts sessions at four different sites across the United States. Green attended the Southeast session in Athens, Georgia, traveling there every June for the past four years. “We chose Athens, GA, as it was the closest to Texas,” she said. “There were people there from all over, even some from out of the country.”
Reflecting on her experience, Green highlighted the program’s impact on her professional growth. “Leadership, event planning, and sponsorship solicitation were areas I focused on,” she noted. “It’s a great opportunity to be with like-minded people, to bounce ideas off of, and learn from their experiences.”
Green’s dedication to completing the IOM program despite her job change reinforces her commitment to professional development. “When I came to CASA, I shared that experience with Kimberly Weiser, Executive Director of CASA, and she felt like it was something I definitely needed to finish,” Green said. “I was able to graduate with my class, and I will forever be grateful for the experience and the friendships I have made along the way.”
Green encourages others in the non-profit sector and beyond to consider the IOM program. “It’s open to anybody that wants to apply. It’s not focused on one particular skill set or job responsibility. It prepares you to be a leader in your community,” she said.
For more information on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management, visit https://institute.uschamber.com/.
