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May 5-7, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
2025 SKILLS SUMMIT SPEAKERS
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Alphabetized by last name.
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Bishara Addison
Director, Workforce Innovation, The Fund for Our Economic Future
Bishara Addison is the Director of Workforce Innovation at the Fund for Our Economic Future, leading talent development initiatives in support of the Fund’s agenda to achieve equitable economic growth. Bishara’s work focuses on convening and aligning regional and national partners to support innovative solutions related to labor market participation and job quality. Her initiative portfolio spans numerous sectors and workforce entry points, including a hospitality recovery effort in Cuyahoga County, shaping a regional blueprint for increasing opportunities for Black and Brown workers in tech jobs, and testing interventions to strengthen workplaces. As a part of her role, she also serves as the Northeast Ohio site director for the National Fund for Workforce Solutions. Collectively, these efforts aim to dismantle systemic racial exclusion from family-sustaining work, produce actionable data to drive decision-making and ultimately contribute to a body of evidence in the field of workforce for systems change.
Before joining the Fund in 2021, Bishara managed the policy and advocacy agenda for Towards Employment, was an executive fellow and project manager for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and was engaged in a statewide advocacy effort to shape policies around collateral sanctions before that.
In 2022, Bishara was appointed to complete the term as State Representative for Ohio House District 9 when it became vacant, and through this role, she worked to raise awareness and engage stakeholders on maternal health, education, workforce development, and economic development issues outside of her time at the Fund. She is currently appointed to the Adult Drug and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County, serves as a member of the Cleveland Foundation’s African American Philanthropy Committee, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency Community Advisory Council, a Global Ambassador with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs 2023-34 cohort and served on the Cuyahoga County Executive Transition Team.
Bishara earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from The George Washington University in 2010 and a master’s in policy management from Georgetown University in 2020 through the National Urban Fellowship.
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Zainab Badi
Workforce Policy Manager, GRID Alternatives
Zainab Badi is a Senior Policy Manager at GRID Alternatives where she focuses on shaping policies that can help grow the clean energy workforce. She hails from San Diego, where she attended college before moving to the Bay Area for a policy fellowship at the Greenlining Institute. She also worked as a research analyst for SEIU Local 2015 supporting organizing and policy initiatives for the state’s long-term care workers. She holds a Master of Public Policy with a focus in environmental policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
R. Danielle Barringer-Payton
Director of Opportunity Youth Coalition, Invest in Louisiana
R. Danielle Barringer-Payton leads the opportunity youth work in Louisiana’s statewide opportunity youth work as the director of Louisiana’s Opportunity Youth Alliance (LOYAL), which is currently housed under the Invest in Louisiana umbrella. One of LOYAL’s main goals is to advocate for everyone to see OY as a population and not a policy, meaning showing elected officials on all levels(local, state, and federal) that OY is in every district through the state so investing this the OY population is investing within our cities, state, and country.
Danielle was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida (DUVAL County). She attended the University of North Florida and earned multiple degrees. She then relocated to Baton Rouge and attended THEE Southern University Law Center, where she earned her juris doctorate. She is a licensed attorney and member of the Louisiana State Bar Association.
Danielle stepped into her current position with years of legislative/policy experience. She was the attorney for the Judiciary Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives, where she was involved in drafting and reviewing legislation, and the legislative liaison for the Louisiana Department of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) and the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), where she was responsible for coordinating legislative activities and advocating for policy changes.
Danielle’s strong belief in supporting her community has consistently guided her legal/policy career. She firmly advocates for the idea that those who can, should, and her work is a testament to this belief.
Amanda Bergson-Shilcock
Senior Fellow, National Skills Coalition
Amanda Bergson-Shilcock is a Senior Fellow at National Skills Coalition where she leads the organization’s work on adult education and workforce policies to expand opportunities for US-born and immigrant adults. Throughout her career, Amanda has worked with state and federal policymakers and skills advocates to develop policy solutions that address the challenges facing adult learners and jobseekers, including immigrant workers.
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As a workforce development expert for more than a decade, Amanda has authored numerous publications and policy recommendations – on immigrant integration, workforce development, and adult education – which have helped educate policymakers, journalists, and the public, and inform public policy at the state and federal levels. Her policy expertise, insights, and commentary have been cited and published in local and national media outlets, including TIME, Fortune, BBC News, Inside Higher Ed, POLITICO, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal, HR Dive, and many others.
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Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in 2015, Amanda served as Vice President of Policy and Evaluation at the nonprofit Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians in Philadelphia. In that role, she led the Welcoming Center’s policy and communications work on adult education, workforce and economic development issues. She also served as Policy and Communications Director for IMPRINT, a national coalition of nonprofit organizations focusing on the integration of immigrant professionals.
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Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied American Civilization with an emphasis on minority populations. She is based in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
Cory Biggs
Director of Policy and Advocacy, myFutureNC
Cory is an experienced education nonprofit leader, an attorney, and a public policy advocacy specialist who has spent the better part of two decades advancing the interests of students and their families as well as the educators who serve them. He has a proven record of working closely with policymakers to develop student-focused education policies as well as engaging and giving voice to the people whose lives are affected by those policies.
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He has held various leadership roles throughout his career which began in his native Arkansas, and since 2022, he has served as Director of Policy and Advocacy for myFutureNC, a statewide nonprofit created to help North Carolina reach its educational attainment goal of 2 million North Carolinians ages 25-44 with a postsecondary degree or high-quality credential by 2030.
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Cory is a graduate of the University of Arkansas as well as the William J. Clinton School of Public Service.
Lisa Bly-Jones
Chief Execurive Officer, Chicago Jobs Council
Dr. Lisa M. Bly-Jones joined the Chicago Jobs Council as CEO in 2021. As CEO, she leads the organization’s capacity building, member engagement, and policy advocacy agenda.
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Prior to taking the helm as the Jobs Council’s CEO, Dr. Bly-Jones was the executive director of The Workforce Connection in Rockford, Ill. She was responsible for leadership and implementation of strategic workforce development initiatives serving Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago Counties in Northern Illinois.
With oversight of Workforce Development, Community Education and Continuing Education divisions on community college campuses in Illinois and Tennessee, she led numerous national workforce projects for public and private funders by designing and developing occupational training programs that led to employment.
Prior to her work in community colleges, she was the Chief Professional Officer (CPO) of the South-Southwest Suburban United Way where she responsible for merging and restructuring a regional organization. Utilizing strategic planning, board management and community outreach to build strategic business alliances, Dr. Bly-Jones increased their annual giving campaigns every year to allocate funds to health and human service agencies in diverse communities throughout the suburban Cook County region.
She has more than 20 years of experience in training and development and shares her expertise as a speaker at national and state conferences. She teaches courses and leads workshops for large and small groups, in addition to facilitating round-table discussions and town hall meetings.
Dr. Bly-Jones has an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with Stewardship, Leadership & Learning as a concentration from the University of St. Francis, an M.A. in Communications and Training and a B.A. in Media Communications from Governors State University, and an A.A. from Moraine Valley Community College.
She has served as the Midwest regional liaison for the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) to advance workforce development policy and programs at the local, state, and federal level and is part of NAWB’s taskforce to improve racial equity in the Workforce System. Dr. Bly-Jones was president of the Illinois Workforce Partnership (IWP) and co-chairs the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Equity Taskforce. She was a board member of the Regional 1 Planning Council (R1PC) and named one of Rockford’s 2021 People You Should Know. She hosted the Workforce Wisdom Podcast and spoke with business and industry leaders from across the country.
Dr. Bly-Jones is humbled and inspired by what she accomplishes with others. She integrates her workforce development expertise with her community college campus experiences and applies an equity lens to increase diversity and establish inclusive communities that provide a sense of belonging.
Her first job was as a receptionist/clerk for a cleaner’s in her apartment building. She was responsible for tagging and bagging clothes that went out to the cleaners for the residents.
Ali Broemeling
Workforce Development Manager, Colonna's Shipyard
Ali Broemeling is an experienced Workforce Development professional with a strong background in strategic planning, relationship building, and program execution. Currently serving as the Workforce Development Manager at Colonna’s Shipyard, Ali leads Colonna’s registered apprenticeship program as well as enterprise-wide training and development initiatives, focusing on streamlining operations, reducing costs, and fostering partnerships with educational institutions to implement effective technical training. She oversees 40+ participants, ensuring successful program outcomes including successful workforce conversion and retention.
Previously, Ali worked in learning and development where she led workforce competency enhancement initiatives. Notably, she managed the Women in Skilled Careers Program, a cohort-style pre-apprenticeship program, achieving a 90% completion rate despite pandemic challenges.
Ali is dedicated to workforce development efforts on behalf of the ship repair industry in the Hampton Roads Region. She was honored as the 2021 Volunteer of the Year by the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation for contributions to workforce development and currently serves on the Executive Steering Committee for the Regional Maritime Training System.
With a strategic, results-oriented approach, Ali is committed to fostering the growth of a skilled, adaptable workforce that meets the needs of today’s dynamic industries.
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Alex Campbell
Public Policy Analyst, NC Budget and Tax Center
Alex Campbell is a policy analyst at the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center. His research focuses on disaster recovery, clean energy, workforce development, organized labor, and local labor market trends. He's a proud rank and file member of UAW, Local 2320. He has a PhD in philosophy and political economy and a BS in economics and mathematics. Outside of work, Alex enjoys cinema, reading, running, playing chess, and organizing in his community.
Armando Cantu
CEO, CARDBoard Project
Armando Cantu is a visionary leader dedicated to bridging the digital divide and empowering underserved communities. As the Founder and Executive Director of CARDBoard Project (CBP), he has pioneered innovative solutions to promote self-sufficiency. Through a non-degree pathway model and a comprehensive 10-step roadmap to technology and connectivity, he aims to uplift individuals and help them achieve their goals.
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Key Achievements:
· Founded CARDBoard Project (2016): Addressing the digital needs of the communities most impacted by the digital divide.
· Non-degree Pathways to Success: Providing real-time access to devices, internet, and digital fluency training for workforce readiness, education, and financial independence.
· Strategic Partnerships: Driving CBP’s economic impact through targeted collaborations with 10-step partners, Digital Skills Training community outreach, and emerging Health and Wellness partnerships.
Recognition:
· Workforce Solutions Partner Award (2020)
· SUCCESS 125 Award for Most Influential Leaders (2022)
· Trusted World Innovation Award (2025)
· National Skills Summit Texas State Lead (2025)
As a presenter and advocate, Armando actively engages with organizations, policymakers, and community leaders to drive systemic change. He is committed to creating scalable solutions that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and shape a more inclusive digital future.
Kate Connor, PhD.
Professor, City Colleges of Chicago
Kate is a passionate advocate for community colleges, the students they serve, and the communities they support. With nearly two decades of service at the City Colleges of Chicago, she is a tenured faculty member in Early Childhood Education and has held numerous leadership roles within City Colleges of Chicago, including Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.  
Previously, as a dean in Academic Affairs, Kate led Truman College’s Center of Excellence in Education and Human and Natural Sciences. In this role, she oversaw early childhood and education programs, spearheaded college-wide career supports, and cultivated strategic partnerships in education. She helped lead the launch a multi-million-dollar scholarship for the early childhood workforce, enabling hundreds of individuals across Chicago to earn two and four-year degrees in early childhood education.  
Kate’s commitment to communities and supporting policy efforts that help industry needs is evident in her time leading statewide committees for early childhood faculty, prior learning assessment, and her other work in driving statewide efforts that specifically support adults seeking access and success in college pathways.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Science degree from the Erikson Institute, and a PhD in Child Development awarded jointly by Loyola University and the Erikson Institute. Her research focuses on the intersection of higher education and the experiences of individuals in the early childhood workforce.
Jeffrey Connor-Naylor
Director, Business Leaders United
Jeffrey Connor-Naylor began with National Skills Coalition in 2021 as the Director of Business Leaders United (BLU) for Workforce Partnerships. BLU is a national business network comprised of leaders from small and medium-sized enterprises representing a range of industry sectors who are concerned about our nation’s skills mismatch and promote public investments in skills training and education that prepare America’s workers for jobs in the 21st Century economy. Jeff provides overall direction to the BLU program as well as developing strategies to engage and expand the BLU network.
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Before joining National Skills Coalition, Jeffrey worked as a Deputy Director at ReadyNation (an initiative of the national nonprofit Council for a Strong America), which supports business leaders to advocate for research-based policy solutions that help children and youth succeed in education and the workforce. In this role, he recruited and engaged leaders from Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-sized businesses, and business membership organizations. During his time with the organization, he also built the country’s largest privately-operated business initiative that helped companies of all sizes promote the 2020 Census with their employees and customers.
Jeff has also served as Director of the Northern Virginia Office at The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis, a Virginia-based policy think tank, where he oversaw the organization’s workforce development portfolio. As Lead Organizer with Homes for Families, Inc. in Massachusetts, he worked with non-profit leaders across the state in support of affordable housing policy.
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Jeffrey has a Master of Social Work from Boston College and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Hiram College.
Jeran Culina
Senior Manager, Business Leaders United
Jeran Culina is the Senior Manager of Business Leaders United (BLU). BLU is a national business network comprised of leaders from small and medium-sized enterprises representing a range of industry sectors who are concerned about our nation’s skills mismatch and promote public investments in skills training and education that prepare America’s workers for jobs in the 21st Century economy. Jeran manages the implementation of engaging and expanding the BLU network.
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Before joining National Skills Coalition, Jeran worked as a Senior Policy Associate at Advance CTE, which supports state CTE leaders to advance high-quality and equitable CTE policies, programs and pathways. In this role, she managed two sites under the JP Morgan Chase New Skills ready network grant which supports sites in developing more equitable high quality career pathways for all learners.
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Jeran has also served as the Education and Research Project Manager at Talent 2025, a systems level convener in West Michigan. As the Education Research Project Manager, she led the organization’s work in all the education priorities from early childhood to postsecondary education. Jeran guided the convening of several education working groups that focused their priorities on policy and advocacy that alleviated barriers and increased funding for at risk students throughout their educational journey from cradle to career.
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Jeran has a Master of Educational Leadership Michigan State University and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary of Social Sciences with an emphasis on early childhood education from SUNY Buffalo.
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Therese Daly
President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way of New York State
Therese Daly is the currently the President and CEO of the United Way of New York State.
Therese was most previously the Chief Advocacy and Government Affairs Officer at NYATEP and prior, Vice President for Mercury Public Affairs and worked out of Albany and New York City’s office. She brings a track record of accomplishments in the political, transportation, and financial sectors. Therese’s background includes a decade of experience with strategy development, business development, sales, communication, public relations and government relations.
Prior to joining NYATEP, Therese served as the Director of Correspondence in Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart Cousins’ office. In this role she oversaw all direct correspondence and facilitated office communications between lobbyists, constituents, advocacy groups, and individuals as well as covid response, and special events to name a few.
Earlier in her career, Therese worked at New York Public Transit Association, handling their communications, legislative and advocacy efforts as well as their annual conference. Therese was drawn to transportation from her work as a commodities trader on the Chicago Mercantile Market prior.
Therese received a B.A. in political science from Siena College and has been the recipient of awards for her advocacy efforts and leadership such as Nominee for Forbes 30 under 30, YWCA Resourceful Woman Award, A Siena Saint Who Don’t Sit On The Sidelines, Friends of Recovery 2022 Recovery Community Spotlight Award Recipient. Therese was featured on City and State’s 2022 40 under 40 as part of a feature on the best and the brightest of Albany, a Rising Power Player in New York State by Politics NY and AM Media, City & State's 100 Most Responsible Leaders in NYS, 100 Most Powerful People in Economic Development in NYS, and most recently named a 2024 Trailblazer in the Nonprofit Sector in New York State.
Therese serves on the board of the Shaker Heritage Site and Elenaor’s Legacy.
Brooke DeRenzis
Chief Strategy Officer, National Skills Coalition
Brooke DeRenzis is the Chief Strategy Officer, where she oversees the organization’s policy advocacy, coalition organizing, and student, worker, and business engagement. In her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Brooke also advises the CEO on strategic organizational opportunities, develops the organization’s positions on priority policy issues, cultivates and manages organizational relationships, and provides inclusive, forward-thinking leadership. Prior to her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Brooke was National Skills Coalition’s Managing Director of State Strategies, where she launched numerous multi-state initiatives, including the Skills State Policy Advocacy Network (SkillSPAN) — a first-ever nationwide network of state coalitions expanding skills training for thousands of people through state policy changes. Brooke’s policy and organizing expertise, publications, and partnerships with local community organizations, workforce practitioners, business leaders, and workforce advocates have helped educate policymakers and shaped workforce policy solutions that continue to make a meaningful impact for workers, businesses, and communities.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in 2014, Brooke was a Project Director at DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, where she led advocacy efforts on a range of public policy issues facing the District of Columbia, issues facing working people and families. She has also held research positions with the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution.
Brooke holds a master’s in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s from Sarah Lawrence College. She is based in Washington, DC.
Marcela Diaz
Executive Director, Somos un Pueblo Unido
Marcela Díaz is the Founding Executive Director of Somos Un Pueblo Unido, a statewide immigrant-based organization that works to promote racial and worker justice in New Mexico. Through its community organizing, electoral engagement, litigation, and policy advocacy efforts, Somos has helped shape New Mexico’s immigrant and worker’s rights landscape for over two decades. Under Marcela's leadership, the organization has spearheaded several local and statewide laws and has won dozens of awards for its grassroots work.
Carlos Diaz Barriga
Managing Director of Communications and Narrative Change, National Skills Coalition
Carlos Diaz Barriga brings over a decade of experience in strategic communications, storytelling, and narrative change to his role as the Managing Director of Communications and Narrative Change at National Skills Coalition (NSC). In his role, Carlos leads the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies that amplify NSC and its partners’ impact and drive meaningful change.
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Before joining NSC in 2024, Carlos held various leadership positions where he honed his expertise in shaping narratives and mobilizing stakeholders around critical issues. He served as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Scratch Foundation, overseeing the global brand activities of Scratch–the world’s largest coding platform for kids–and communications of the foundation’s programmatic work. Before joining Scratch, Carlos served as a Director in the Strategy team at Hattaway Communications, where he led narrative research, messaging development projects, and communications strategy sessions for nonprofits, foundations, and advocacy groups, including Code for America, Credential Engine, UnidosUS, and The Rockefeller Foundation. He also worked as an Associate for Burson Cohn & Wolfe in Mexico City for several years, where he executed public relations campaigns and events for corporate and financial clients, including Diageo and PageGroup.
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Carlos holds a Bachelor of Arts in marketing from the Tec de Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico and a Master of Arts in international media from American University in Washington D.C.
Indivar Dutta-Gupta
Founder and CEO, Blue Lotus Strategies
Indivar Dutta-Gupta is the founder and CEO of Blue Lotus Strategies, LLC, based in Washington, DC. He is a recognized researcher, analyst, advocate and policy influencer on U.S. economic policy. Indi is currently a Doris Duke Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, a Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, and a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the National Academy of Social Insurance.
He recently served as president and executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy. For nearly eight years, Dutta-Gupta grew the size and impact of the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality substantially. He frequently advises political candidates on child, family, and economic policy, testifies before Congress on these topics and speaks to the media about social and economic policy issues of the day. His earlier work includes senior roles at the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Freedman Consulting.
Indi is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance and the National Academies (NASEM) Committee on Federal Policy Impacts on Child Poverty. He previously served on the NASEM Panel on Evaluation and Improvements to the Supplemental Poverty Measure.
He is a graduate (BA) of the University of Chicago, a Congressional Hunger Center Alumni Leadership awardee, and one of Washington Life magazine’s most Influential 40-And-Under Leaders and twice a Rising Star 40 And Under. He is a former Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow, Harry S. Truman Scholar, board and advisory group member of several nonpartisan groups, a US-Japan Leadership Program delegate, was named a First Focus Campaign for Children “Champion for Children", and co-chair of President Biden’s economic policy committee during the 2020 campaign.
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Kayla C. Elliot
Director of Workforce Policy, The Joint Center
Kayla C. Elliott, Ph.D. is Director of Workforce Policy at The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank. She leads a team of experts who center Black communities in policy debates concerning the future of work, workforce development, and access to good jobs. Prior to The Joint Center, Kayla was the director for higher education policy at The Education Trust where she focused on advancing access, success, and affordability for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. She has shared her expertise on outlets such as The Washington Post, TheGrio News, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
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Kayla holds a master’s degree from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and has worked with a range of nonprofit organizations, including Lumina Foundation, the Southern Education Foundation, and Teach For America. A daughter and granddaughter of career educators, Kayla has worked on P-20 education issues for more than 10 years. She earned a Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Florida Atlantic University, where she taught undergraduate courses and held research roles in the College of Education and the Provost’s Office.
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A proud HBCU advocate and third generation alumna, Kayla earned studied business administration at Fisk University, where her experience serving as a student representative on the university’s board of trustees piqued her interest in higher education. Kayla is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and sits on the boards of the Center to Advance CTE, the Howard University Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program, and UNITE. She enjoys cooking, reading, writing, and exploring.
Robert Espinoza
Chief Executive Officer, National Skills Coalition
Robert Espinoza serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Skills Coalition, which envisions a future where every person in America is guaranteed skills training, good jobs, and economic prosperity.
National Skills Coalition mobilizes broad networks—including working people, businesses, training providers, and workforce leaders—to champion policies that expand access to skills training, create clear pathways to quality jobs, and support essential services like childcare and transportation, ensuring today’s students and workers can thrive in an evolving economy.
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Robert is a prominent advocate and thought leader in the workforce, aging, and caregiving fields, who has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing public policy and fostering a greater general understanding of some of our most pressing societal issues. He has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, Forbes, and The Washington Post, among others. In 2020, Robert was selected for the inaugural CARE100 list in 2020, recognizing him as one of the most forward-thinking individuals reshaping the caregiving landscape in America. Additionally, he was named one of Next Avenue’s 2020 Influencers in Aging.
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Before his role at National Skills Coalition, Robert was the Executive Vice President of Policy at PHI, the nation’s foremost organization focused on the direct care workforce, where he directed its renowned national advocacy, research, and public education division for nearly a decade. In 2021, he testified before the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen workforce interventions in direct care.
In addition, Robert served as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and currently sits on the board of directors for the National Academy of Social Insurance, the FrameWorks Institute, and the American Society on Aging, where he serves as Board Chair. Since 2023, he has hosted A Question of Care, an award-winning podcast exploring the many challenges facing our country’s caregiving system.
Robert received his MPA from New York University and his BA in English and BS in Journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he graduated summa cum laude. He is a 2014 Rockwood Leadership Institute graduate, living in Jersey City, New Jersey, with his husband, Michael, and their dog, Gracie.
Megan Evans
Senior Government Affairs Manager, National Skills Coalition
As Senior Government Affairs Manager, Megan works closely with members of Congress and their staff as well as the Administration to advocate on behalf of NSC’s legislative agenda. She provides in-depth policy analysis of legislation and works to set advocacy strategy to move the needle on NSC’s priorities.
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Before Joining NSC in 2021, Megan served as a lobbyist for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers working on a portfolio including trade, infrastructure, and workforce development. She also spent several years performing legislative analysis research on a variety of federal issues in the Legislative Department for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Prior to that role, Megan served as a Staff Assistant for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, where she performed legislative research and provided administrative support to Committee Democrats.
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Megan graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Politics and Government; History; and Pre-Law. She is based in Washington, D.C.
Tasha Evans
Director of Talent Solutions, West Michigan Works!
Tasha brings over 20 years of experience in workforce development and program management, dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their career goals. As the Talent Solutions Director for West Michigan Works!, she leads the design and implementation of workforce strategies, oversees program policies, and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders, organizations, and community partners. She is committed to expanding access to resources, strengthening partnerships, and driving innovative solutions that improve workforce outcomes. Tasha also works closely with adult education and literacy center partners on various initiatives, including efforts to support digital skill development.
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Wendy Falb
Executive Director, Literacy Center of West Michigan
As Executive Director, Wendy has led the Literacy Center of West Michigan for the past 10 years. In that time the organization has grown to be the largest community-based adult literacy organization in the state of Michigan. Instructing over 1300 individuals annually, the Literacy Center works with immigrants, refugees, and native speakers of English to provide support tailored to their individual needs and priorities. A key player in workforce development, the Literacy Center also creates paths to citizenship, supports returning citizens, and partners with multiple school districts to provide a two generational approach to children’s literacy.
Creating more equitable educational opportunities has been a driving purpose in Wendy’s life. She served on the Grand Rapids Public School board for ten years in the role of president, legislative chair, secretary, and treasurer. Wendy has served on multiple community and civic boards including: the Grand Rapids Smart Zone, the Downtown Development Authority, the Committee to Honor Cesar Chavez, and the Grand Rapids Public School Foundation. She currently serves on the board of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters and the University Preparatory Academy.
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Wendy has a BA from Calvin University, MA Boston College, and Ph.D. from Michigan State University.
Yasmin Fallahkhair
Senior State Network Manager, National Skills Coalition
Yasmin Fallahkhair manages a network of state coalitions working to advance skills policies that support an inclusive economy. She leads projects, cultivates relationships, and provides customized technical assistance around policy development, advocacy, and communications to local coalition leads in collaboration with NSC staff and national partners. Yasmin joined NSC in April 2020 as a state network manager. She is based in Washington DC.
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Prior to joining NSC, Yasmin served as a Senior Associate at Whiteboard Advisors, a strategic consulting and communications firm. In this role, she worked closely with policymakers, innovative entrepreneurs, and visionary organizations to build and implement thoughtful government affairs and MarCom strategies. Yasmin also brings extensive experience and knowledge in education policy, having served the Data Quality Campaign for over 5 years in communications, development, and policy/advocacy roles.
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Yasmin holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master of Public Administration from American University.
Jessica Fulton
Senior Fellow, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
An expert on issues at the intersection of race and economic policy, Jessica Fulton’s research and analysis focuses on identifying and promoting policies to advance the socioeconomic status of the Black community. Jessica Fulton is an economist currently serving as a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and previously served as the organization’s Vice President of Policy and Interim President. Her expertise has been featured on MSNBC, NPR, the Associated Press, the New York Times, and the Grio, among other outlets.
Before joining the Joint Center, she served as external relations director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, working with scholars and policymakers to advance the understanding of the connection between economic inequality and economic growth. She has also held local research and advocacy positions at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and the Chicago Urban League.
Jessica is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Sadie Collective, which focuses on increasing the representation of Black women in economics and related fields. Fulton earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in economic policy analysis from the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at Depaul University.
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Dr. Sharon Harrison
Vice President of Workforce Development, Oklahoma Manufacturing Association
Originally from Northern Ireland, Dr. Sharon Harrison has lived in Oklahoma for over 25 years and has more than three decades of experience in workforce training. Sharon is the founder and CEO of Harrison Consulting Group, a team that creates and leads industry engagement initiatives for the Oklahoma Manufacturing Association (OMA), the Central Oklahoma Manufacturing Association (COMA), and facilitating workforce programs, research projects, and industry events. She is also the founder of the non-profit Resolve Skills Foundation that addresses employability skills, especially for individuals who are experiencing disadvantaged economic conditions.
Sharon has extensive experience designing skills-based curriculum for major corporations, public sector organizations, and non-profits locally, nationally, and internationally. She has also had significant achievements in grant writing, including a multi-million-dollar federal grant to start and run an industry-led Manufacturing Skills Academy in Oklahoma City, which will train students on employment readiness skills (both interpersonal and life) and technical skills that will be necessary for successful careers in manufacturing.
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Sharon has taught college-level courses in supply chain management, management, project management, communications, and adult education. She was recently recognized for her work to help those with disabilities to enter the workforce by being awarded the “Outstanding Business Partner” of the year by the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. Sharon holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, where her research focused on “Perspectives on Skills in Manufacturing.”
Jacob Hofstetter
Policy Analyst, Migration Policy Institute
Jacob Hofstetter is a Policy Analyst at MPI’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, where he conducts research related to language access as well as educational and workforce programs for immigrant adults and youth. His work focuses on the civic, economic, and linguistic integration of immigrants and refugees in the United States. In the language access space, he analyzes the design and implementation of federal, state, and local policies that aim to expand access to government services for individuals with limited proficiency in English. In his work related to adult education and workforce development, he researches programs that promote the integration of immigrants and examines the broader policies that govern adult skills systems. He holds a master’s degree in global policy studies with a focus on immigration and refugee policy from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, Austin and a BA in history from Miami University.
Nicole Howell
Director, Direct Care Workforce Development,
National Council on Aging
Nicole is a passionate advocate for aging services and the rights of older adults and is dedicated to creating meaningful change to strengthen the aging services workforce and expand care for older adults and their families. A lifelong learner and avid baseball fan, she’s always up for an adventure, particularly with her sidekick(dog), Walter. Nicole has a knack for connecting people and ideas, fueled by her love for collaboration and problem-solving.
Nicole is the Director of Direct Care Workforce Development at National Council on Aging where she directs the work of the Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center at the Administration for Community Living. Prior
to joining NCOA Nicole was the Director of Workforce Policy for LeadingAge where she championed innovative workforce policy to support the aging services sector. Prior to that she was the Health Policy Advisor to Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (NJ 9th) overseeing a portfolio that includes health, social security, and veteran affairs.
Ms. Howell was a 21-22, Health and Aging Policy Fellow working with the Committee on Ways and Means, Health Policy subcommittee where she focused her attention on long-term care, aging services, elder justice and workforce
policy. Prior to her time in Washington DC, Nicole was the Executive Director of Empowered Aging, providing advocacy and support for older adults, through the long-term care ombudsman programs, in three of California’s most diverse counties. Nicole was honored as one of Congressman Garamendi’s 2020 Women of the Year for her work serving the residents of long-term care during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
When Nicole is not at work she spends her time on various crafts and DIY projects, exploring her
Capitol Hill neighborhood with her neighbors and exploring various consignment and antique
stores.
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Sheila Ireland
President and CEO, OIC Philadelphia
Sheila Ireland has over 30 years of experience leading human resources, training, organizational and workforce development in the non-profit, healthcare, consulting, government, and manufacturing fields. Sheila is known for developing programs that improve organizational performance and achieve bottom-line results. In 2022 Sheila took the helm as the President and CEO of Philadelphia OIC and its for profit affiliate Progressive Ventures, Inc, and is leading its revitalization in Philadelphia. Since 1964 OIC Philadelphia has led the fight for social justice and economic empowerment utilizing workforce development as its operational strategy to level the playing field for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable citizens.
Previously, Sheila served as the Deputy Secretary, Workforce Development, Department of Labor and Industry at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where she oversaw Pennsylvania’s public workforce development system. Her purview included oversight of a staff of 600+ employees and management of a $270M+ annual budget that was utilized to grow Pennsylvania’s workforce and increase worker’s access to well-paying jobs.
In her previous role as Executive Director of Workforce Development for the City of Philadelphia, Sheila managed Philadelphia’s first citywide workforce strategy, “Fueling Philadelphia’s Talent Engine.” In this position, she coordinated strategy and communication between local government, education, and training programs, along with employers and service providers to create opportunities for vulnerable populations. Ms. Ireland was also the founding director of the University City District’s West Philadelphia Skills Initiative and launched UCD’s first social venture, Green City Works.
Ms. Ireland has received many awards for her work in nonprofits and workforce development including must recently the Women of Influence award from the Philadelphia Business Journal and the Cultivator award from the University City Science Center. She has been named one of the 100 most influential labor leaders and one of the most influential black leaders in Pennsylvania. Sheila has earned an A.A. S. degree with Honors in Finance from Community College of Philadelphia, a B.B.A. in Human Resources from Temple University and a M.S. in Human Capital Development from La Salle University and was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Peirce College.
Present Affiliations:
Board of Trustees; Chair, Workforce Development Sub-Committee, Community College of Philadelphia Member, Board of Trustees, Peirce College
Member, Board of Directors. Northeast Region Director, Association of Community College Trustees
Member, Forum of Executive Women
Secretary, Board of Directors, Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust
Member, Board of Directors, North Broad Renaissance
Member, Board of Directors, The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation
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In addition, Ms. Ireland serves on several advisory boards focused on education and workforce development in the Philadelphia region.
Jamal Jessie
Workforce Development Manager, Georgia Power Company
As the Workforce Development Coordinator for Georgia Power, Jamal leads a team dedicated to strengthening Georgia’s talent pipeline for the energy sector and other key industries. By leveraging workforce data at both the company and state levels, his team assesses industry needs and develops targeted programs to
support long-term workforce sustainability. Through strategic partnerships with educational institutions, workforce development organizations, industry associations, and government agencies, Jamal works to maximize funding opportunities and expand access to educational and training resources for talent
development. and educational opportunities associated with talent development.
Previously, as a Talent Acquisition Consultant for Southern Company, Jamal spearheaded military hiring strategies, employer branding, and outreach initiatives in support of Georgia Power, Gulf Power, and Southern Gas. His
leadership played a pivotal role in Southern Company being recognized as the #2 Overall Best Company for Veterans by two separate publications in 2019.
Jamal’s career with Georgia Power began in 2015 as a Recruiting Consultant supporting Customer Service & Operations (CSO). Prior to transitioning to the energy sector, he served 20 years in the United States Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 2014. During his naval career, he managed large-scale projects aboard multiple U.S. Navy warships and completed four deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
A native of New Orleans, Jamal holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Southwestern College and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University.
Jamal is an active leader in workforce development, serving on the Executive Committee for Business Leaders United (BLU). He also holds board positions with the Atlanta Regional Commission Workforce Development, Science ATL, Construction Ready, and the Douglasville Travel & Tourism Board.
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Melissa Johnson
Managing Director, State Strategies,
National Skills Coalition
Melissa Johnson is the Managing Director of State Strategies at National Skills Coalition, where she leads the organization’s efforts to advance workforce policy solutions at the state level. Melissa oversees the development of NSC’s state policy agenda and works with the organization’s network of state coalitions and partners to provide strategic guidance for policy development, advocacy, advancement, and implementation.
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Melissa’s publications, policy expertise, and engagement with local community organizations, workforce boards, business leaders, and workforce advocates have helped educate state policymakers and shaped state workforce policy solutions that continue to make a meaningful impact for workers, businesses, and communities.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition in in 2017, Melissa was a Senior Policy Analyst at Georgia Budget and Policy Institute where she led the organization’s research on several issues, including gender economic equality, affordable child care and workforce development. Earlier in her career, she worked in policy analysis and legal roles for the Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia and in the private sector as a management consultant.
She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law, as well as an MBA and bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Melissa is based in Atlanta and Washington, DC.
Nicole Jorwic
Chief Program Officer, Caring Across Generations
Nicole Jorwic is an experienced policy professional supporting advancements in disability, aging and direct care workforce policy and mobilization. Nicole is the Chief Program Officer for Caring Across Generations. Prior to her current roles, Nicole was Senior Director of Public Policy and Senior Executive Officer of State Advocacy at The Arc of the United States. Before coming to DC to work on Federal Advocacy, Nicole served as Senior Policy Advisor and Manager of the Employment First Initiative in Illinois. Prior to that appointment, Nicole was the CEO/President of the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities. Nicole is also an accomplished special education attorney.
Nicole leads and supports many coalitions to advance the priorities of the care movement, including strengthening and expanding access to home and community-based care and better pay for direct care workers. Nicole is a member of the Presidents Committee on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Nicole is most importantly a sibling to her brother Chris who is 35 and has autism, a former direct care worker, and on the care team for her three grandparents in their 90s.
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Molly Kinder
Fellow, Brookings Institute
Molly Kinder is a fellow at the Brookings Institution, where she leads a project exploring the impact of generative AI on work and workers. She is a nationally recognized expert in labor policy, economic inequality and the present and future of work. Kinder’s scholarship on work and workers has been covered widely by national media, has influenced federal policy and state-level programs, and was cited in dozens of city and county government mandates requiring higher pay for frontline workers. Kinder has more than two decades of experience in public policy, social innovation, research, and philanthropy. Kinder was a nonresident senior fellow at New America and directed research for its Work, Workers, and Technology initiative. As a professor of practice at Georgetown University, she taught a new graduate-level course on the social, economic, and policy implications of AI. Previously, Kinder co-founded a $200 million social impact fund and was its vice president of policy and served in the Obama administration as a director in a new innovation program.
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Rachel Korberg
Executive Director, Families and Workers Fund
Rachel Korberg is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Families and Workers Fund, a coalition of more than 25 diverse philanthropies working together to help increase economic opportunity in the United States. Supported by the Gates Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, and Siemens Foundation, among others, the $125+ million fund makes grants and builds strategic partnerships to advance uplifting careers for all in the United States.
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Previously, Rachel served at the Ford Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation and worked in impact investing. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, TIME, and Fortune. She was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar in 2023 and New York Times DealBook Groundbreaker in 2022. A proud mom who brings lived experience to her work, she was also the first woman elected as President of the Board at the Stonewall Community Foundation, one of the country's largest funders of LGBTQ+ causes.
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Atheena "TT" Martinez
Student Advisory Council Member, National Skills Coalition
Hayden, Arizona
I’m 33 years old, a mother of 4 and I currently attend Pima Community College. This will be my third year attending Pima Community College in pursuit of my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, which started as me just wanting to get my GED. I decided while achieving my GED to pursue my certifications in electrical training and before I knew it one year became two. I will be graduating this May with an AAS in electrical.
I am a first-generation college student. I am also a school leader at Pima Community College this year. I represent the online campuses and I hold the position of co-chair on the Aztec Student Senate. This is my second term and I know that I have learned the leadership and advocating skills I need to better represent the student body and my community. I believe education is key and is powerful beyond measure.
Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition
As a policy analyst, Patrick conducts research and analysis to advance workforce policies, funding and systems that increase access to skills training, worker equity, and build an inclusive economy. Patrick’s areas of focus include the public workforce development system, support services, workforce partnerships, postsecondary education, and solutions that can advance job quality, worker voice, and meet the needs of local employers. Patrick’s work primarily supports California and other Western States, as part of SkillSPAN.
Prior to joining National Skills Coalition, Patrick worked as the California Deputy Director at Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, an initiative of the national nonprofit Council for a Strong America, which mobilizes grasstops community leaders in advocating for investments in evidence-based policy solutions that promote child well-being. In Patrick’s role, Patrick led a 300-person membership organization, facilitated legislative meetings and advocacy days, and developed policy agendas around cradle-to-career issues. ​​Patrick also brings experience working as a journalist, covering policy and political issues.
Patrick has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a pre-law concentration from James Madison University, as well as a minor in Political Communications. Patrick is based in San Francisco, California.
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Sarita Nair
Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions
Sarita Nair currently serves at the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. Prior to her appointment at the Department, she served as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, Chief Governmental Accountability Officer, and General Counsel of the Office of the State Auditor. She holds a law degree and masters of community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico.
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Brent Orrell
Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
Brent Orrell is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), specializing in job training and workforce development with a special focus on disconnected and disadvantaged populations, including youth, justice-involved, veterans, and neurodivergent persons. His recent work has focused on the workforce opportunities and challenges resulting from generative AI and automation, as well as strategies for improving economic mobility in rural, redeveloping, and non-metropolitan areas throughout America. Brent has spearheaded AEI’s involvement with the Workforce Futures Initiative, in collaboration with the Brookings Institution and the Harvard Kennedy School, which has produced multiple reports, working group sessions, and interest from communities across the US.
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He has written, coauthored, and edited multiple reports for AEI, and frequently contributes to the popular press, including The Bulwark, Deseret News, The Dispatch, Law and Liberty, The Hill and RealClearPolicy.
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Karina Paredes-Arzola
Senior State Network Manager, National Skills Coalition
Karina Paredes-Arzola manages a network of state coalitions in the West, working to advance skills policies that support equity, career pathways, partnerships, job quality, immigrant integration, and investments that build an inclusive economy. She manages this network in collaboration with local coalition leads, NSC staff, and national partners. Karina collaborates with NSC staff to provide state coalitions with customized technical assistance to achieve meaningful policy impacts, including through advocacy, communications, and peer learning strategies.
Karina joined NSC in February 2022, and she is based in the California San Francisco Bay Area.
Prior to joining NSC, Karina served as Program Manager at the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), a statewide policy alliance with more than 10,000 organizational members. In this role, she worked to build membership and engagement. Karina also brings a breadth of statewide and local coalition-building, community organizing, and experience working with labor and nonprofits to support economic justice, worker, and immigrant rights. She has also worked in legal rights positions and with policy makers.
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Karina holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Scott Paul
President, Alliance for American Manufacturing
Scott N. Paul is president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established in 2007 by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. Scott and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing and “Made in America” top-of-mind concerns for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, policy development, and data-driven research.
Scott is a sought-after expert on trade and manufacturing matters, testifying before numerous congressional committees and penning op-eds for The New York Times and other leading publications. He authored a chapter in the 2013 book ReMaking America and has written extensively about Alexander Hamilton’s role in forming U.S. national economic policy. Scott also hosts the The Manufacturing Report podcast.
Scott is the past board chair of the National Skills Coalition and sits on the Board of Visitors of the Political Science Department at the Pennsylvania State University. He also is on the Advisory Board of Indiana University’s Manufacturing Policy Initiative.
Scott earned a B.A. in Foreign Service and International Politics from Penn State and an M.A. with honors in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Raised in the small town of Rensselaer, Indiana, he currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area with his family.
You can follow Scott Paul on X: @ScottPaulAAM
Karen Phillippi
Senior Policy Fellow, Welcoming America
Karen Phillippi is a Senior Policy Advisor/Fellow for Welcoming America. She supports the organization in navigating federal and state policy and creates greater alignment among state and local actors and national partners. She also serves as a strategic thought partner for the state Office for New Americans network.
Karen has been working in the field of immigration law and immigrant/refugee integration for over 30 years. She worked in various law firms for 20 years developing and managing employment-based immigration practices before joining the State of Michigan where she built and directed the Office for New Americans for over 9 years, developing programs and policies supporting immigrant and refugee inclusion at the state level. Most recently, she completed a one-year Fellowship as a Senior Advisor with the US Citizenship & Immigration Service’s (USCIS) Office of Citizenship, Partnership & Engagement (OCPE). At OCPE, Karen served as a liaison with state and local governments on the development of outreach and informational programs. She also strategized and partnered with federal government colleagues to develop sustainable efforts of inclusion within the federal government. Karen is active in promoting the cultural and economic benefits that immigrants and refugees have on communities and striving for a more welcoming nation.
Karen has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Michigan State University.
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Omar Reyes
Director of Adult Programs & Student Success,
Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
Omar Reyes is a dedicated leader in education policy and student success, currently serving as the Director of Adult Programs and Student Success at the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner. In this role, he spearheads the development of programs and policies designed to support Rhode Islanders in achieving their higher education goals.
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A champion for adult learners, Omar played a pivotal role in launching RI Reconnect. This initiative provides critical resources and guidance to low-income adult students facing barriers beyond the classroom. His efforts have helped countless individuals navigate the challenges of returning to school and securing a brighter future.
In addition to his statewide impact, Omar is deeply engaged in local education policy. He was recently appointed Chair of the Pawtucket School Committee in Rhode Island, where he works to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students in his community.
Omar holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Roger Williams University and a master’s degree in Youth Development from Rhode Island College. His career reflects a steadfast commitment to equity, access, and educational success at all levels.
Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn
Senior Fellow, National Skills Coalition
Nakeisha Ricks-Pettyjohn is a Senior Fellow at National Skills Coalition, where she serves as the organization’s expert on federal and state workforce development policy and strategy implementation. In this role Nakeisha brings significant state policy expertise and relationships to inform NSC federal and state policy advocacy campaigns and provide technical assistance to state policy leaders and other workforce development stakeholders.
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Prior to joining NSC, Nakeisha was the Senior Director of Workforce Programs for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development where she managed the coordination of external partnerships for the statewide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and oversaw the operations and program implementation of Tennessee American Job Centers. Nakeisha is passionate about innovative program development, system alignment, and policy changes addressing equity, access, and economic mobility barriers for workers of color, workers with children, and justice involved individuals. She has a proven track record in furthering workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and implementing a wide variety of student services to meet the diverse needs of adult learners and workforce participants.
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Nakeisha graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Biology. She is based in Tennessee.
Ireri Rivas Mier y Teran
Program Officer, ECMC Foundation
Ireri Rivas Mier y Teran, ECMC Foundation Program Officer, oversees a portfolio of grants focusing on supporting and addressing basic needs for postsecondary students from underserved backgrounds. Prior to joining ECMC Foundation, Ireri worked as a student affairs practitioner where she focused on advancing the success and persistence of undocumented, first-generation, lower-income, immigrant students and students of color at the undergraduate and graduate level. Her expertise lies in working with students to advance their empowerment and working with institutions to improve policies, practices, and protocols that advance college success and remove barriers for historically underrepresented students. Ireri holds an MA from the University of Chicago and a BA from the University of Nevada, Reno.
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Fatima Mahmoud Ramadan Sanz
Senior Policy Manager, World Education Services
Fatima Sanz (she/her) is a Senior Policy Manager at World Education Services. In her role, she advocates for federal and state reforms that promote equitable workforce opportunities for immigrants and refugees in the U.S. She has led state-level policy changes to expand access to occupational licensure for internationally trained immigrants and refugees, and drove the advocacy campaign that resulted in a first-of-its-kind federal study to uncover the barriers these individuals face while rejoining their professions in the U.S.
Fatima holds an M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and an MPA from the Fels Institute of Government. She also received her B.S. from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
Carrie Schum
Executive Vice President, Hattaway Communications
Carrie is an account planner and brand strategist who focuses on matching deep audience insight with communications execution. She’s been called a strategic unicorn because of her two big strengths—the ability to discover a big idea that unifies and elevates perceptions of a brand or issue, matched with breakthrough ways to bring it to life.
Carrie’s work brings together research, insight, and creativity, along with powerful practicality that makes complex, integrated campaigns work to drive attitude and behavior change. From helping Americans file their taxes properly to encouraging seniors to find the right Medicare program, leading COVID-19 response outreach, and helping small businesses convert to an exmployee ownership model, she specializes in turning complex topics and programs into meaningful and measurable communications outreach.
She has both bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Literature and has lectured on communications and integrated marketing at The George Washington University, Georgetown University, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. She is also a capstone advisor at the Georgetown University Master's Degree Program in Integrated Marketing Communication.
Lo Smith
Executive Director, Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition
Lo Smith serves as the Executive Director of the Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition, where they lead efforts to connect community members, and organizations and strive for a shared vision of low-cost, high-speed internet access, digital skills education, and appropriate digital devices available to all Baltimoreans.
Before joining BDEC, Lo began their work in Baltimore County Public Libraries as a generalist librarian and quickly identified technology skills acquisition, internet, and device access as huge barriers to the quality of life for their library patrons. From there, they followed this common thread to the Enoch Pratt Free Library as a fellow with the Media Democracy Fund’s Public Interest Technology Fellowship, exploring digital inclusion programming and evangelizing the concepts of digital equity and inclusion across Baltimore City.
After completing their Masters of Library Science with Simmons University in 2019, they developed the role of, and became the first Coordinator of Digital Equity with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, leading the digital rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, following the founding of BDEC, they saw Baltimore’s digital inclusion future blossoming, and joined the National Digital Inclusion Alliance as a Senior Programs Manager, cultivating digital inclusion in the US states, territories, and native nations. Most recently, they turned their focus back to Baltimore, serving as a faculty librarian with the University of Baltimore.
Outside of the digital equity and inclusion world, Lo can be found practicing their leadership teaching yoga and partner acrobatics to their local community, honing their fearlessness through circus, and building their teamwork and communication skills on the roller derby track with Patuxent Roller Derby.
Katie Spiker
Managing Director, Government Affairs, National Skills Coalition
Katie Spiker is the Managing Director of Government Affairs at National Skills Coalition, where she works to advance NSC’s Washington-based policy efforts through federal legislation, agency regulation, and national funding initiatives. As a workforce policy expert, Katie works closely with members of Congress and their staff, as well as Cabinet agencies – like the Departments of Labor and Education – to develop and implement bipartisan workforce policy solutions to help workers and businesses succeed. Katie also partners with state and local workforce leaders to elevate their advocacy efforts to lawmakers in Washington.
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Katie has authored numerous publications on workforce policy issues and her policy expertise, insights, and commentary have been cited and published in local and national media outlets, including CNN, The Hill, Bloomberg, Morning Consult, Inside Higher Ed, The Hechinger Report, IndustryWeek, San Diego Union-Tribune, and many other outlets.
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Prior to joining NSC in 2015, Katie was the Associate Director of the National Center for Women’s Employment Equity at Wider Opportunities for Women where she managed the design and provision of on-site and virtual technical assistance and the creation of case studies and policy briefs related to nontraditional occupations and occupational segregation. Katie has also consulted with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and the National Women’s Law Center. She served as policy counsel for Workplace Flexibility 2010 and the National Partnership for Women and Families as a Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellow. Katie is a 2015 Ford Foundation Public Voices Fellow.
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She holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami. She is based in Washington, DC.
Dave Stone
Advocacy Officer, United Way of Central Iowa
Dave Stone is the Advocacy Officer at the United Way of Central Iowa (UWCI). In this role, Dave advances the collective legislative goals of the organization and its coalition partners in the areas of education, income and health.
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Stone most recently served as Associate Director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, a regional collaboration of 17 partner local governments in Iowa that commit a portion of their hotel-motel tax revenue to support arts, culture and heritage organizations in the region. As a community funder, Stone worked with over 60 organizations in the region to increase sustainability, strategic planning, and innovative collaborations.
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“Dave’s wealth of experience in building relationships and communicating the impact of mission-driven policies will be instrumental in achieving our advocacy goals,” said Mary Sellers, president of UWCI. “His deep understanding of issues will be a great asset in our efforts to ensure the education, health and financial stability of every central Iowan.”
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Formerly Communications Manager for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland in Des Moines, Stone oversaw communications, strategy development and legislative advocacy for Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Prior to his work at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Stone worked as the Director of Grassroots Development and Field Director for Iowans for Sensible Priorities, the federal budget campaign led by Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream.
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Dave holds a Master of Public Administration from Drake University in Des Moines and a Bachelor of Political Science from Iowa State University in Ames.
Ryan Sweeney
Education Policy Adviser,
Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions
Ryan Sweeney serves as an Education Policy Advisor to Chairman Bill Cassidy of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He previously worked as an advisor for Representatives Chris Jacobs and Brandon Williams of New York. He holds a B.A. and M.P.A. from George Washington University. He also serves as a military intelligence officer in the Army Reserves.  
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Erika Symmonds
Vice President of Equity and Workforce Development
Solar Energy Infrastructure Association (SEIA)
As Vice President of Equity and Workforce Development at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Erika leads efforts to build and maintain the workforce needed meet current and future demand for deploying solar energy, storage, and related technologies.
Erika has focused on green jobs training and advocacy since 2008. Erika joined SEIA after 7 years at GRID Alternatives where she played a critical role in the growth of their solar workforce development programming. Prior to that, she worked with Green City Force, YouthBuild, Outward Bound, and served as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity. Her work has been at the intersection of youth development, green skills training, and workforce development, all grounded in the value of creating equitable access to economic and personal growth opportunities. She is an advocate for incorporating experiential, service, and work-based learning into education and workforce development programming.
Erika studied at Wellesley College, serves on the boards of Green City Force and RE-volv, and the Executive Committee of Business Leaders United for Workforce Partnerships. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her wife and daughter.
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Deniece Thomas
Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Labor and
Workforce Development
Commissioner Deniece Thomas started with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development in 2007 as a career specialist at the Clarksville American Job Center.
Over the years, the Commissioner has worked at every level within the Department, leading to roles as the Assistant Commissioner for the Workforce Services Division, Deputy Commissioner, and now, the agency’s leader.
Commissioner Thomas’s experience is recognized nationally as the chair of the National Governor’s Association’s Association of Liaisons, a board member for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, and an executive leader on several collaborative committees with peers from the southeastern states.
Caroline Treschitta
Senior Government Affairs Manager, National Skills Coalition
In her capacity as Senior Government Affairs Manager, Caroline (she/her & they/them) spearheads the implementation of NSC’s federal advocacy strategy while conducting thorough analyses of workforce development and education policies at the federal level and actively engaging partners nationwide, fostering opportunities for them to showcase their impactful work to key stakeholders in Congress and the administration.
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Caroline’s journey with NSC began in April 2019 as a Communications Associate, where they orchestrated the coordination of NSC’s written, digital, social, and video content. This included managing the organization’s social media platforms, producing webinars, and editing publications and blogs. Caroline transitioned to the Government Affairs team as a Policy Analyst in November 2020, where they continued to make significant contributions to NSC’s mission by advancing the organization’s skills platform with Congress and the administration.
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Prior to joining NSC, Caroline interned and then worked for Women in Government, where they researched state-based economic policy. They also worked as a legislative intern for the office of Senator Murphy, where she conducted legislative research and attended briefings for staffers on a variety of policies; and then as a Support Specialist for RAINN, where she used crisis-intervention skills to assist those impacted by sexual assault. Caroline graduated from American University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and is based in Washington, DC.
Kate Tromble
Vice President, Federal Policy, Data Quality Campaign
Kate leads DQC’s federal policy and advocacy work, identifying and acting upon high-impact federal opportunities that could support or improve the state data ecosystem. Part of her work involves managing the Data Champions Collaborative, a 40-organization effort to reimagine the federal role in supporting state efforts to develop high-quality, accurate, secure and timely data systems that meet the most pressing needs of students, families, and communities today. She guides DQC and the Collaborative in implementing this shared vision for how federal policy can promote improved data systems in a manner that supports innovative work in states that improves students’ educational and career pathways.
Prior to joining DQC, Kate was Vice President of The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) and Vice President for Federal Policy at Results for America where her work focused on supporting governments at all levels in using evidence and data to advance economic mobility. Before Results for America, Kate served as the pastoral associate for social justice at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, DC, and the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Education Trust. Before Ed Trust, Kate practiced law at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Williams & Connolly. She also served as Legislative Counsel to Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D-MD) and as Legislative and Policy Advisory to Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
Kate holds a juris doctor from Vanderbilt Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Dan, and their two daughters.
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Andrew Volmert
Senior Vice President, FrameWorks Institute
Andrew Volmert is Senior Vice President for Research at the FrameWorks Institute. In this role, Drew leads a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists in conducting research to understand cultural mindsets and develop frames and narratives capable of generating public support for structural, transformative change. Drew has led major initiatives to ground and strengthen mindset shift and narrative change efforts by synthesizing knowledge from across disciplines and fields. He currently oversees FrameWorks’ Culture Change Project, which explores how US culture is changing in the current period of social upheaval and how progressives can respond to flux in cultural mindsets. He has been with FrameWorks since 2013. In earlier academic research, Drew explored the relationship between political tradition, national identity, and democratic legitimacy, and he continues to have a strong interest in the relationship between public culture and democracy.
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Drew’s work has appeared in publications such as the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Political Studies, and The Good Society. Prior to joining FrameWorks, he taught at Georgetown University and held appointments as Postdoctoral Research Associate and Visiting Scholar with the Political Theory Project at Brown University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Brown University and master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Yale University.
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Saba Waheed
Director, UCLA Labor Center
Saba Waheed is the director of the UCLA Labor Center. Prior to this role, she spent 11 years as the center’s research director. With nearly 20 years of experience developing community-led research projects for labor advocacy organizations, Waheed’s work is grounded in the “research justice” framework, which she co-developed to address structural inequities in research.
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In her time at the UCLA Labor Center, Waheed built the research infrastructure for, and led, more than 40 studies in partnership with low-wage workers. Among these was the first-ever study of domestic work employers, a multi-year study of workers and learners, and the first national study on nail salon workers and owners. She has also conducted research related to gig workers, young workers, Black workers, LGBTQ+ grocery workers, retail workers, fast food workers and restaurant workers. For six years, Waheed led the Labor Summer Research Program, a UCLA Labor Center schools-to-movement applied research program.
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Waheed is deeply committed to community storytelling as a powerful tool for narrative change. In addition to her research work, Waheed is an award-winning radio producer and writer. She co-produces the podcast Re:Work, a storytelling show about workers, and she co-wrote and co-produced the animated film, “I am a #YoungWorker.” Her short stories are regularly featured in literary magazines, anthologies, and live readings.
Previously, Waheed was a part of the shared leadership team and the research director of DataCenter, and a researcher at the Urban Justice Center.
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Waheed received an MA in Anthropology from Columbia University and a BA in English and Religious Studies from UC Berkeley.
Carrie Warick-Smith
Vice President, Public Policy
Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)
Carrie Warick-Smith serves as Vice President, Public Policy for the Association of Community College Trustees, a position she assumed in January of 2022. In this role, she leads the advocacy efforts of the nation’s community college trustees and oversees ACCT’s thought leadership work adjoining policy and practice in the community college space.
Prior to joining ACCT, Warick-Smith spent over a decade at the National College Attainment Network where she built and expanded its policy and advocacy program, with a particular focus on access to federal financial aid. In this role, she led the creation of the organization’s advocacy agenda, oversaw the development of a simplified FAFSA prototype, was regularly quoted in the education trade press, and published a piece on effective non-profit advocacy in Foundation Review.
Warick-Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and History and a Master of Public Policy, both from The George Washington University. While at GW, she served as a Presidential Fellow working in university administration.
Rachel Wilkerson
Student Advisory Council Member, National Skills Coalition
New Orleans, Louisiana 
As the Coordinator for the Office of Strategic Initiatives, I am currently realizing my career goals and aspirations. Working within higher education, I have the opportunity to positively influence students’ lives on a daily basis. Moreover, as a former single mother, I understand the importance of providing for my child. Through my experiences, I’ve come to recognize that policymakers must acknowledge the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all solutions. Non-traditional students, often found in community colleges, face unique challenges such as balancing work commitments during the day or on weekends. Therefore, our focus should extend beyond mere enrollment and retention rates; it should encompass addressing the multifaceted barriers that students encounter.