As the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Senior Director of Education and Talent Programs, Handel is at the forefront of initiatives to transform education in the Motor City. He has now worked for two decades at the Chamber, which is committed to carrying out its mission through economic development, education reform and regional collaboration.

Handel is responsible for developing and advocating Chamber public policy related to education, including issues such as school governance, choice, funding, standards and accountability. Handel also overseas Chamber initiatives related to education and talent, including the Detroit Scholarship Fund and Detroit Board Fellowship Program. He serves on the boards of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies and the Michigan College Access Network. He is a founding board member and current Board President of Trillium Public School Academy.

Before joining the Chamber, Handel was a United States Peace Corps Volunteer for two and a half years in the African nation of Botswana.