WASHINGTON, D.C. — Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Megan  Barfield recently completed her second year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison, Wis. 

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.” 

Barfield started her non-profit career in 2014 with Volunteers in Action, followed by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, both in Great Bend. In 2016 she started at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce working as the director of Member Relations before moving into her current role as president/CEO in January, 2020.  

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. The Institute’s curriculum consists of four week-long sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively. 

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy.