Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Shawntel Baker as Director of Employer Engagement

With Indiana’s new high school diploma requirements set to take effect for the graduating class of 2029, communities across the state are reimagining how to best prepare students for life beyond the classroom. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce has partnered with all six school districts in Wayne County to create a new, countywide position: Director of Employer Engagement.

The Chamber is proud to announce that Shawntel Baker has been selected to serve as the inaugural Director of Employer Engagement. This new role was intentionally designed to strengthen the local talent pipeline by expanding and aligning work-based learning opportunities for students in grades 9–12. By building strong connections between area businesses and schools, Baker will help ensure that students graduate with real-world experience, setting them up for long-term success in college, careers, and beyond.

Participating school districts include:
• Centerville-Abington Community Schools
• Nettle Creek Schools
• Northeastern Wayne Schools
• Richmond Community Schools
• Seton Catholic Schools
​• Western Wayne Schools

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Leaders from each district worked side-by-side with the Chamber and key community partners to shape this role from the ground up, collaborating on responsibilities, measurable goals, and a shared long-term vision. Baker will serve all six districts equally, ensuring students across Wayne County have equitable access to consistent, high-quality experiences with local employers.

A lifelong Wayne County resident and graduate of Centerville High School, Baker brings decades of community leadership and a passion for education to this role. She currently serves as the Board President for Northeastern Wayne Schools and has held leadership positions with the Northeastern PTO and Music Boosters. She has also coached youth sports at both Randolph Southern and Northeastern Schools. Baker’s deep ties to the community, along with her current role as the Chamber’s Director of Membership and Education, uniquely position her to bridge the gap between local businesses and schools.

“I’m honored to step into this role and excited to begin building stronger connections between our schools and local employers,” said Shawntel Baker, Director of Employer Engagement. “I’ve seen firsthand the incredible potential of our students and I believe that by working together, we can open more doors for them to succeed. This partnership is a powerful step toward aligning education with opportunity for every student in Wayne County.”

Baker was selected through a competitive interview process, with a panel that included representatives from three school districts, the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, and the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.

“Shawntel’s deep-rooted connections and genuine passion for advancing education makes her the perfect choice to lead this important work,” said Melissa Vance, Chamber President & CEO. “We were incredibly impressed by the number of passionate, qualified individuals who applied for this transformative role, it speaks volumes about our community’s commitment to preparing students for success.”

​The launch of this role marks a significant milestone in aligning education with workforce development in Wayne County. As the state moves toward new diploma standards, the community’s proactive collaboration demonstrates a shared vision: to equip every student with the tools, experiences, and relationships needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving workforce