Dr. (hon) Lois Whittaker, MBA is an economic development leader, entrepreneur, and grant strategist with a strong background in workforce development and small business capacity building. She earned her MBA from Purdue Global and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business (Honoris Causa) in recognition of her leadership, innovation, and sustained impact in economic and workforce development.
Dr. Whittaker is the Founding President of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana, which she established to address a critical gap in the region—the lack of coordinated, results-driven support for small businesses in distressed communities. With a clear understanding that small businesses are foundational to job creation and economic stability, she founded the Chamber to serve as a centralized hub for access to capital, workforce alignment, strategic partnerships, and timely business intelligence.
Her leadership approach is grounded in practical experience, informed by workforce systems and regional planning, and executed through strong cross-sector collaboration. Known for being humble, passionate, understanding, and visionary, Dr. Whittaker brings together government agencies, educational institutions, financial partners, and community organizations to deliver measurable outcomes that strengthen regional economic resilience.
Meet Our Team
Attorney Crystal L. Johnson
CEO Attorney Crystal L. Johnson
Executive Board
Barbara Carpure
CEO Senior Life at Home
Board Affairs Advisory Board
Glenn Johnson
CEO Local Leaders
AI & Technology Advisory Board
Sharon Harvey
Small Business Administration
Small Business Advisory
Alex Dunlap III
CEO President Around The Clock Ambulance
Business Development Advisory Board
Chelsea Whittington
CEO-CWHITT
Marketing Advisory Board
Arthur Brown
CEO AJ the Plumber
Workforce Housing Advisory Board
Patrick Ken Barry
CEO Ulthiverse
Youth Advisory
Shaka Nutall
Administration Assistant
Lavinia Prince
Treasurer
Lolita Young
Secretary