News Release

Greater Lafayette Commerce (GLC) has named Brooklyn Burton as its new Vice President of Economic Development, where she will lead regional efforts focused on business attraction, expansion and retention across the Greater Lafayette region.

The region is entering a new phase of economic opportunity as industry expansion, innovation partnerships and talent development initiatives position Greater Lafayette for continued investment and job growth. Greater Lafayette Commerce works closely with regional partners to support new business investment while helping existing employers grow and succeed.

“Brooklyn understands this region and the people who make it work,” said Mikel Berger, president and CEO of Greater Lafayette Commerce. “She has spent her career building strong partnerships between employers, educators and community leaders to create real opportunities for people and businesses. As Greater Lafayette continues to grow and attract new investment, Brooklyn’s leadership will help ensure we stay focused on what matters most: supporting our existing employers, building the talent pipeline and positioning our region for long-term success.”

Prior to joining Greater Lafayette Commerce, Burton served as vice chancellor of workforce and economic development at Ivy Tech Community College – Lafayette, where she led workforce and employer partnership initiatives across a nine-county region.

During her tenure, she helped advance industry-aligned talent pipeline initiatives supporting advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. These efforts included the development of multi-employer workforce associations focused on CNC quality assurance and metrology, as well as wet process operations, Skills Trainings and a semiconductor workforce program that served more than 200 students across six counties through partnerships with Purdue University and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Burton also helped secure more than $8.5 million in grant funding through partnerships with GLC and Skyepack to strengthen early talent pipelines for students in grades 7—12 across West Central Indiana. Across her career, she has secured and managed more than $22 million in federal and state funding supporting workforce and economic development initiatives.

Earlier in her career, Burton led the Rapid Redeployment for Advanced Manufacturing Positions (RAMP) initiative, a $13.5 million U.S. Department of Labor program that served more than 2,000 individuals across a 12-county region and helped place more than 1,500 participants into advanced manufacturing careers.

“I am excited to join Greater Lafayette Commerce at a time when our region is seeing significant investment and opportunity,” Burton said. “I look forward to working alongside our business community, local partners and regional leaders to support growth and ensure Greater Lafayette remains a competitive and vibrant place for businesses and families.”

Burton currently serves on several regional leadership initiatives, including the Greater Lafayette Commerce Workforce 2030 Council, the Matchbox board of directors and the Leadership Lafayette board. She was also recognized as a Top 10 Under 40 honoree through Greater Lafayette Young Professionals for her leadership and community impact.

She holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Public Relations from Indiana State University, graduating cum laude.