Breakout Sessions

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Main Stage: Without Limits

Grand Ballroom

• What Does ‘Without Limits’ Mean to You?

  We’ll start with a warm welcome from Jobs for the Future’s CEO, Maria Flynn, as she pushes us to explore a better world without limits. We’ll begin with a call to action on how we can work together to broaden the horizons for all learners and workers. 

  Speakers:

  • Maria Flynn, President and CEO, Jobs for the Future

• Setting the Stage with Richard Reeves and Karin Kimbrough

  As we kick off Horizons, two leading economists—Brookings Institution’s Richard Reeves and LinkedIn’s Karin Kimbrough—will unpack the state of the economy and the biggest economic trends that leaders in education and workforce development should be focusing on. They’ll share what they see as the most important themes in this moment, setting the stage for the rest of the Summit with a big picture, data-informed discussion on what really matters most right now for those who want to advance equity in the education and workforce space. 

  Speakers:

  • Richard Reeves, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies, Brookings Institution
  • Karin Kimbrough, Chief Economist, LinkedIn Corporation
    

• Learning From the Past to Advance the Future: A Conversation With Nikole Hannah-Jones

  Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the 1619 Project, Nikole Hannah-Jones, as she discusses the intersection of education, the economy, and America's legacy of slavery. Through her unique lens, Hannah-Jones will explore the recent barriers to grappling with this painful past and discuss how we, as leaders, can learn from our history to reposition our priorities for workers and learners. 

  Speakers:

  • Terrell Blount (Introduction), Executive Director, Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network
  • Lucretia Murphy, Vice President and Director of the Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, Jobs for the Future
    
  • Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-Winner and Creator, 1619 Project & Staff Writer, The New York Times Magazine

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Spotlight Sessions

• Building Social Capital to Unlock Economic Mobility

  The world of work has changed drastically in the past few years, but one thing has remained the same: who you know matters. Recent LinkedIn data shows that "weak ties" are the most valuable type of relationships for job seekers to build as these professional acquaintances are twice as likely to lead to job opportunities. Join this conversation and design-thinking workshop to learn how business and workforce development leaders are building the social capital of the modern workforce.

  Speakers:

  • Aneesh Raman, VP and Head of The Opportunity Project, LinkedIn
  • Emmeca Strother, IT System Administrator, Opportunity@Work
  • Jina Krause-Vilmar, President and CEO, Upwardly Global
  • Miguel Cambray, Vice President of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Candid Conversations: Horizons Vodcast Stage

  Be one of the first to witness a live vodcast recording at Horizons. Join a small audience to watch new Candid Conversations about pressing systemic issues among prominent thought leaders in education and workforce.
  

  Vodcast 1: The Power of Community in Capitalism

  • Saket Soni, Executive Director, Resilience Force
  • James Rhee, Founder, red helicopter and former CEO, Ashley Stewart
    

   

  Vodcast 2: Women in Leadership

  • Ahva Sadeghi, Co-Founder & CEO, Symba
    
  • Ellen McGirt, Senior Editor, Fortune Magazine
  • Lisette Nieves, President, the Fund for the City of New York

• Climate & Workforce: The Future of Jobs for the Youth of our Nation

  This session will explore how younger generations are approaching the future of jobs in the areas of climate sustainability and environmental opportunities. In alignment with the JFF project CREST, the panel will feature the funder from ARES (Armstrong) and three young activists, all at the center of climate and careers.

  Speakers:

  • Diamond Spratling, Founder, Executive Director, Girl + Environment
  • Kristy Drutman, Founder, Browngirl Green, & Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board
  • Michelle Armstrong, Managing Director and Head of Philanthropy, Ares Foundation
  • Sophia Kianni, Youngest UN Advisor, Founder of Climate Cardinals, Stanford, VICE Human of the Year, & Forbes 30 under 30
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Decoding the White House’s IRA, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and CHIPS Act

  In his first term, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. The influx of federal dollars is expected to create thousands of new jobs across the country, but how do we ensure all Americans benefit from the opportunities created by these investments? Join leading officials from the Department of Commerce, Department of Transportation, and Department of Labor to learn how employers and non-profits can leverage federal investments to expand equitable workforce development pipelines.

  Speakers:

  • Molly Bashay, Policy Advisor of Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor
  • Rachel Lipson, Senior Policy Advisor, CHIPS Program Office at the Department of Commerce
  • Paige Shevlin, Strategic Advisor for Infrastructure Workforce Development, U.S. Department of Transportation 
  • Shawn Avery, CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council

• Everyone has a Role in Creating Quality Jobs – Here’s How to Do It

  Less than half of U.S. workers are in quality jobs. Unlocking exponential growth in job quality, especially for people facing systemic barriers to advancement, will require an ecosystem-wide effort -- and everyone has a role. In this session, we’ll hear from the key learn and work ecosystem players who will enable this change and dive deep into the systemic changes, innovations, and big swings that are needed. Attendees will then have a chance to engage those in their respective ecosystems and share their insights and commitments to this effort.

  Speakers:

  • Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-founder, Family and Workers Fund
  • Matt Johanson, Social Impact and ESG Officer, Discover Financial Services
    
  • Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, Vice President of Workforce & Regional Economies, Jobs for the Future
    
  • Tyra Mariani, President, Schultz Family Foundation

• Jobs of the Future: How Technology is Shaping How We Work, Learn, and Live

  Robot personality designer. XR simulation technician. Prompt engineer. Everyone’s talking about the jobs technologies like AI, the metaverse, and robotics might destroy—but what about jobs they create or transform? What training and skills will future workers need to succeed in jobs shaped by technology, and how can these careers be made more accessible without bachelor’s degrees? Join us for a TED Talk-style lighting round in which visionary leaders from the technology, startup, and education ecosystems share their answers—and the steps we can all take to get ready for what’s next.

  Speakers:

  • Alex Swartsel, Managing Director of Insights, JFFLabs 
  • Brian Gonzalez, Executive Director, Government Partnerships and Initiatives
  • James Turnage-Lannan, Senior Program Manager of Inclusive Economic Opportunity, Unity
  • Tom Ryden, Executive Director, Mass Robotics
    

• Managing the Skills-First Talent Journey

  The "skills-based talent marketplace" is gaining momentum among employers. In the past three years, we've seen tremendous energy among employers who want to reimagine their talent practices to focus more on skills as the key currency and signal for career opportunity and mobility. However, with all this enthusiasm, we continue to hear from employers that the most challenging part of becoming "skills-first" in hiring and internal mobility is navigating the sheer amount of change associated with such an adjustment. Where should employers begin in the skills-first journey? What does "good" look like as a skills-based employer? And how can employers build their skills strategies in ways that encourage mobility–for example, access to transportation, childcare, and a family-sustaining wage? In this session, we'll learn from the employers who are building the future of the skills-first talent movement.

  Speakers

  • Alex Truongson Sanville, Senior Director of Human Resource & Leadership Development, Best Buy 
  • Andriana Diez, Senior Director of Global Talent and Workforce Strategy, Walmart
    
  • Ashley Black, Managing Director of Equity Strategies, Delta
    
  • Melissa Sparks, Vice President Talent Management, Ochsner Health
  • Terrence Cummings, Chief Opportunity Officer, Guild
    

• Navigating while Neurodiverse: Expanding Inclusion to Support All Talent

  Neurodiversity is a concept that regards individuals with differences in brain function and behavioral traits as part of normal variation in the human population. Twenty percent of the population are neurodistinct, and they represent even higher percentages in STEM fields. The last decade has seen a recognition in the education and workforce sectors that individuals who are neurodistinct can thrive with the right supports, oftentimes inexpensive and easy to implement. We’ll speak with four experts from higher education and workforce helping companies build and retain their workforce with neuroinclusive strategies that are necessary for some, and good for all.

  Speakers:

  • Aisha Johnson, Executive Director, Families Helping Families of Southeast Louisiana
  • Arianna Hampton, Austin PBS, Early Career Talent Horizons Ambassador
  • Clare Bertrand, Senior Director, Jobs for the Future
    
  • Natalie Longmire, Assistant Professor of Management, Tulane University Freeman School of Business
  • Natalia Lyckowski, Global Neurodiversity Advancement Leader, IBM
    

• The Power of Afrofuturism to Disrupt Occupational Segregation

  The term Afrofuturism, coined in 1993, combines fiction and fantasy while challenging the world as it is now. With the rise of popular movies focused on Black prosperity, such as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Black learners and workers can now see themselves portrayed in mainstream movies with STEM focuses. With Afrofuturism at the center of mainstream movies, can it serve as an innovative vehicle for disrupting occupational segregation? How can the media reconfigure mental models of what and who viewers imagine in traditionally segregated career fields? 

  Speakers:

  • Brandon Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer, Hidden Genius Project
  • Taylor Shead, Chief Executive Officer, STEMULI
  • Dwana Franklin-Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Reboot Representation
  • Alisha Hines, Director of Research, Center for Scholars & Storytellers, UCLA

• The Role of the Capital Markets in Building a More Equitable and Inclusive Workforce

  Philanthropy and federal funding can only take us so far in driving impact and change. Capital market participation is required to truly help move the needle. Today’s inflationary environment is impacting both middle market companies, who are struggling to raise funds, and workers, who are experiencing pay cuts by the minute. Capital providers can –and in some cases will– serve as a vehicle to help companies deliver worker and employee benefits, providing stability and sustainability for families.

  Please join us as leading asset managers discuss the role of capital in driving change.

  Speakers:

  • Andrea Mainelli, Senior Advisor, Tyton Partners
  • Antony Bugg-Levine, Co-Head of Community Impact, Lafayette Square
    
  • Jennifer Kozicki, Partner, Ares Credit Group & Co-Head, Global Liquid Credit
  • Michael Grossman, Managing Director of Impact Investments, Social Finance
    

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Main Stage: Investing in Human Potential

Grand Ballroom

• How About That American Dream: A Conversation With Abigail Disney

  Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, activist, and philanthropist Abigail Disney has used her position of privilege to condemn the inequities of American businesses and how unfair tax codes inhibit most from attaining the American Dream. Based on her films, commentary, and criticisms, we’ll ask her to share specific actions that employers, labor, policymakers, and others who can use their influence and power should take to revitalize the American Dream for everyone. 

  Speakers:

  • Abigail Disney, Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, activist, & philanthropist
  • Ellen McGirt, Senior Editor, Fortune
    

• System Design Principles for Purpose, Potential, and All Populations

  We all want to better serve learners and workers—but how? There is no better time to determine how our systems should be redesigned for a future that ensures prosperity for workers, their families, and their employers. We’ll present four points of view that consider what practices we should keep, sunset, scale, and innovate without limits. 

  Speakers:

  • Hilary Pennington, Executive Vice President of Programs, Ford Foundation
  • James Rhee, Founder, red helicopter & former CEO, Ashley Stewart
  • Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and Co-founder, the Family and Workers Fund
  • Saket Soni, Executive Director, Resilience Force

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions

• Bringing the Blur Into Focus Through the Intersection of Practice and Policy

  JFF’s The Big Blur is a proposal to radically restructure and integrate high school, college, and career pathways by investing in a new, re-imagined system for “grades 11-14." Since the publication of the paper in 2021, practitioners—including state policymakers, advocates, district & college leaders, state agency heads, and federal agency leads—have coalesced around this new vision for our country’s education system. JFF has hosted sessions around the country, including an ongoing Action Lab Advocacy series, bringing together state advocates who are working towards creating the policy conditions and practices necessary for “blurring.” Building on last year’s Big Blur session, this session will focus on the progress made among leading state advocacy groups that are part of the Big Blur Advocacy Action Lab cohort. They will first briefly present their progress and challenges to date in order to frame the discussion and then will problematize their challenges in the work moving forward in a consultancy-style format. Attendees, after hearing about the work underway, will self-select which challenge their state/organization most identifies with and then will join a facilitated, mini-consultancy based on each topic. These consultancies will be moderated by state action lab leaders and JFF staff. The session will culminate in the full group coming back together to report out on insights gained that can inform a public narrative about needed next steps to advance the vision of the blur. 

  Speakers:

  • Emily Rusca, Managing Director of Policy & Programs, Education Systems Center (Illinois)
  • Joel Vargas, Vice President, Jobs for the Future
  • Kyle Hartung, Associate Vice President, Jobs for the Future
  • Marcus Brown, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs & Student Success, Illinois Community College
    
  • Misti Ruthven, Director of Education & Training Innovation, State of Colorado, Governor's Office
  • Scott Laband, President, Colorado Succeeds

• Building a Skills-Based Talent Marketplace – Navigate Uncharted Territory with an LER Ecosystem Map

  Are LERs (Learning and Employment Records) the key to transforming the employment marketplace? If so, how can leaders in institutions, companies, and workforce development work together to empower jobseekers to use their skills to unlock opportunities for advancement?

  Since the of fall 2022, the MIT Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC) has been leading an effort to understand and map this emerging LER ecosystem. Together with JFF and other leading voices in workforce transformation and lifelong learning, this project team is excited to share this ecosystem map and get feedback from attendees at Horizons.

  During this session, key partners will reflect on the challenges and opportunities identified in this ecosystem map and their vision for how a community of broad stakeholders can work together to transform the talent marketplace. This includes the Biosciences Core Skills Institute, which has leveraged the ecosystem partners to create micro-credentials for jobseekers traditionally excluded from biosciences careers, and Walmart, who will share their vision for the ecosystem.

  Speakers:

  • Angela Consani, CEO and Co-Founder, Bioscience Core Skills Institute
  • Philipp Schmidt, Director, MIT Digital Credentials Consortium, CTO Center for Reimagining Learning
    
  • Sean Murphy, Director of Opportunity, Walmart
    
  • Sharon Leu, Executive in Residence, JFFLabs

• How Public and Private Sector Partnerships Are Tearing the Paper Ceiling for STARs

  Workers with experience, skills, and diverse perspectives are being held back by an invisible barrier – the paper ceiling. Degree screens, biased algorithms, stereotypes, and exclusive professional networking block career opportunities for more than 70 million workers in the U.S. who are STARs - Skilled Through Alternative Routes rather than a bachelor’s degree.

  After years of downward economic mobility, STARs are finally being recognized by industry leaders in the private and public sector, who are taking steps to remove degree requirements and recognize the potential of these historically overlooked workers — increasing access to a massive and diverse pool of skilled candidates for hard-to-fill jobs, and giving STARs a fair chance to earn the higher wages that lead to upward economic mobility. But how have the two parties tackled the issue in their respective sectors, and how can they work together now to create more opportunities for the 50% of workers in the U.S. without a bachelor’s degree?

  Hear from STARs and experts on what role you can play to remove the barriers blocking 70+ million U.S. workers today, and:

  • Understand how the talent shortage for in-demand jobs can be solved by tearing the paper ceiling
  • Discover the effective talent development programs that are preparing STARs for roles today
  • Explore how hiring STARs can create a more diverse workforce right away
    

  It’s time to learn from the experts on how they’ve widened pathways, created new opportunities, and designed skills-based hiring practices that tear the paper ceiling and see the STARs beyond it.

  Speakers:

  • Blair Corcoran de Castillo, Senior Director of STARs Policy Project, Opportunity@Work 
    
  • Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Chief Workforce Officer, Connecticut Workforce Development Unit, Chief Workforce Officer, Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy
    
  • Lydia Logan, Vice President of Global Education and Workforce Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, IBM
  • Steve Jurch, Director of the Center for Policy and Practice, Association of Community College Trustees

• Lightning Round: Resistance is Futile: How to Befriend the Robots

  Lightning round presentations are three 12-minute presentations from different speakers that present big ideas and new thinking on a particular topic. With the advent of the Metaverse and tools like ChatGPT, it’s clear that the robots of the future are here now. The goal is not to lean into this fear but see how the limitless potential of such technology can be freeing. How can we use artificial intelligence to push us outside our limits? How can we design AI systems to be free from the same flaws humans have? Hear from three cutting-edge experts on how AI can be used to radically restructure our education and workplace systems.

  Speakers:

  • Drew Magliozzi, CEO, Mainstay
  • Taylor Shead, CEO, STEMuli Studios
  • Taylor Stockton, Chief Operating Officer, FutureFitAI

• Narrative Change: The Power of Young People’s Stories

  How can you center the voices of young people to shift narratives that inform how we think and feel about education and work? This panel features young people, advocates, and storytellers from Young Invincibles, Education Partnership of the Permian Basin, and RoadTrip Nation who will explore the power of young people’s stories to persuade students, education leaders, and policymakers to advance postsecondary education and career pathways for young people. Panelists will share insights from their audience research and how they put their messaging into action in Texas, including one of the student videos that is changing hearts and minds in the Permian Basin. You will also learn about RoadTrip Nation’s storytelling toolkit that can help you amplify important voices and stories to support your own organization’s work and impact. The panel is moderated by Wonder: Strategies for Good, which led the Pathways Narrative Project, a 2-year collaboration that builds the capacity of organizations to use narrative to improve access to education and career pathways for Black and Latino/a young people and young people from low-income backgrounds.

  Speakers:

  • Adrian Vega, Executive Director, Education Partnership of the Permian Basin
  • Ángel García Donjuán, Student Advisory Council Member, Young Invincibles
  • Liz Kufour, Southern Program Coordinator, Young Invincibles
  • Willie Wittezehler, Creative Director, Road Trip Nation
  • Zakiya Scott, Strategist, Wonder: Strategies for Good
  • Willie Wittezehler, Creative Director, Road Trip Nation 

  
  

  Sponsors:

  

• Power-Sharing and Innovative Funding Models that are Advancing Equity

  Existing funding models in workforce development and education are too often restrictive and challenging to navigate for grantees, inadequate in closing equity gaps for workers and learners, and perpetuate a top-down power dynamic between the funder and grantee. While there are promising models that are actively working to disrupt this status quo, how can we scale these opportunities to further advance equity? What does power-sharing in this context look like, and how is it applied?

  The High Road Training Fund (HRTF) is a case study of one such promising model. The HRTF was established as an innovative funding vehicle to provide flexible funding to California’s High Road Partnerships that are working to advance equity, job quality, and climate resilience, formalizing a new public-private partnership to maximize public investments in regional partnerships. The HRTF highlights the importance of flexible funding for grantees, grantee representation and leadership in governance, and the impact of public-private partnerships, as pillars of power-sharing to advance equitable advancement of all. Join a California High Road Partnership and HRTF grantee from Worker Education & Resource Center interview and participate in a fireside chat with the Irvine Foundation, a key funder of the HRTF.

  Speakers:

  • Amber Roth, Executive Director, Worker Education & Resource Center
    
  • Leslie Payne, Initiative Director, The Irvine Foundation

• Promoting Inclusivity from Ideation to Design in Tech, Data, and AI for Learning and Work

  What is inclusive tech-driven solutioning in the social sector? Why is it important? What impact does lack of inclusion have on technology-driven product and solution design? Hear from leaders who are working to advance inclusive social solutioning in the tech, data, and AI space. Hear their ideas for including diverse and underrepresented segments, their voices, perspectives, and lived experiences through the solution development phases.

  Speakers:

  • Ada Sim, Director, Product, Engineering, Emerson Collective
  • Eshwar Eswaran, Director of Product Incubation, JFFLabs
    
  • Fernando Rodriguez-Villa, CEO and Co-Founder, AdeptID
  • Shanna Lee, Director of Community Engagement, DataKind
    

• Student Perspectives on Innovative Finance

  This session will highlight the student experience in pursuing innovative financing mechanisms for postsecondary education and training, specifically income share agreements. The conversations will feature students who are engaged in a variety of programs, including nontraditional degree programs, education opportunities focused on the needs of adult learners, and coding bootcamps.

  Speakers:

  • Ernesto Gonzales, IT Associate
  • Ethan Pollack, Director, Jobs for the Future
    
  • Joey Rebbe, Music Producer, DJ, & Co-Founder, Deep State Studios
    
  • Katy Knight, Executive Director and President, Siegel Family Endowment

• Time to Update the Workforce Development Paradigm? From Dual Customer to Employer Accountability

  Over the past two decades, a dual customer mindset has dominated workforce development, shaping everything from critical policies such as WIOA to training providers’ approach to employer engagement. This paradigm has been built upon the notion that employers must be able to meet their own business needs in order to create new economic opportunities for workers. Many educational institutions and training providers have been able to connect the populations they serve to high-quality jobs and careers by deploying this approach. However, this kind of retail approach of individually connecting to employers is time intensive, making it difficult to transform the labor market or create new economic opportunity at scale.

  Should we shift to a new paradigm that reshapes the ecosystem in which employer decision making occurs to mobilize changes in employer behavior at scale? Can supply chain practices, local, state, and public policy, and provisions tied to large federal investments be deployed that center on employer accountability in creating an equitable workforce? In this session, workforce development leaders will debate whether to shift away from a dual customer form of employer engagement to a systems-driven model that reframes the underlying incentives motivating employer behavior. We will ground this discussion in the delivery of equitable Registered Apprenticeships in order to illustrate how employers are involved in workforce development according to each paradigm.

  Speakers:

  • Christine Gillespie, Senior Vice President, Career & Technical Education
  • Héctor Huezo, California Director, Jobs to Move America
  • Livia Lam, Program Officer, Ford Foundation

• Today's Jobs and Tomorrow's: The Importance of Centering Digital Equity

  Digital transformation is changing where, how, and when we work and learn, as well as the skills needed for economic advancement. Use of digital tools extends across all industries, and the tools workers are expected to use change frequently Today, over 90% of jobs require digital skills, yet nearly a third of all workers lack foundational digital skills, much less the advanced skills and digital resilience required for high-wage careers. Digital equity—access to the internet and devices as well as digital skills—is an essential component of equitable economic advancement. Employers, educators, and policymakers all play a role in ensuring that everyone is able to participate fully in work, learning, and civic life. This session will highlight the critical importance of digital skills for all learners and workers. We will discuss innovative policies, partnerships, and strategies for advancing digital equity and the untapped potential for impact. 

  Speakers:

  • Alison Ascher Webber, Director of Strategic Initiatives, EdTech Center at World Education
  • Caroline Treschitta, Policy Analyst, National Skills Coalition
    
  • Juan Rivas, Peer Digital Navigator
    
  • Sarah Cacicio, Director of the Adult Literacy & Learning Impact Network, Barbara Bush Foundation
    

• Verifying Skill Competency: Non-traditional Learning Paths

  58% of Gen Z believe that companies should hire more high school graduates who have pursued non-degree education pathways. (And about 68% of employers agree.) For the learners who head down a non-degree path, how do they validate–and communicate–the mastery of skills acquired outside the traditional learning setting? If not a degree, what signals of quality will ensure that future employees are workforce ready? Digital credentials and learner records capture accelerated skill development with project-based, work-based and competency-based learning. Join panelists to learn what each sector is contributing to the future of education and workforce development. Join panelists as we discuss the future of validating skill mastery.

  Speakers:

  • Amanda Winters, Program Director of Post Secondary Education, National Governors Association
  • Scott Cheney, CEO, Credential Engine
  • Shad Adhmed, Chief Operating Officer, Opportunity@Work
  • Shawnee Caruthers, Vice President of Advocacy, Getting Smart
    
  • Tim Taylor, America Succeeds
    
    

  Sponsor:

  

• What Do Belonging, Well-Being, Purpose and Healing Have to Do with Economic Mobility?

  There is growing evidence that the traditional metrics of economic advancement (level of education, income, wealth, consumption, and others) are not adequate measures of well-being for today’s learners and workers. In this session, workforce development leaders and advocates will share lessons learned and insights about a different category of indicators of advancement: Namely, belonging, meaning-making, well-being, purpose, and healing. Key questions that will be discussed in this session include: How do we center these indicators as we develop solutions to help learners and workers achieve economic advancement? How do embed them in programming, policies, and in human capital-building? What have we learned about the most promising practices that help people achieve well-being? What strategies, tools, and resources can we use to embed belonging, meaning-making, well-being, purpose, and healing in our collective work, and how can we quantify and measure their impact? How would learners and workers themselves define these indicators? This session will use a workshop format to introduce new frameworks and actionable approaches to show the multiple dimensions of human well-being.

  Speakers:

  • Geneva Wiki, Director of Belonging, Meaning, Well-being and Purpose
  • Marjorie Parker, President and CEO, JobsFirstNYC
  • Nikki Egenolf, Senior Talent Partner, Opportunity Onramps, Workday
  • Zenetta Zepeda, Advisor, Youth and Wellbeing Measure Project
    

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Breakout Sessions

• Beyond a Chance: Rethinking Careers for People with Conviction Records

  This session will explore the intersection of policy and practice related to the Fair Chance Hiring ecosystem. Lessons from JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement’s Normalizing Opportunity policy framework will guide this conversation.

  Topics to be covered include:

  1. How do we expand opportunities available to people with records through Fair Chance Hiring and entrepreneurship?
  2. What prevents the adoption of fair chance hiring policies by corporations and how do we solve this?
  3. What can employers do to invest in the economic mobility of people with records?
  4. Why including justice in your talent strategies is good for business.
  5. The global context–what lessons can we learn from the international space? 

   

  Speakers:

  • Ashley Furst, Senior Program Manager, Employment Opportunities
  • Baz Dreisinger, Academic, Cultural Critic & Activist
  • Dayanna Torres, Founder & CEO, Evolucionada Consulting, LLC
  • Ken Oliver, Vice President, Checkr.org & Executive Director, Checkr Foundation

• Equitable Pathways to High-Growth Jobs and Sustained Mobility

  Join three dynamic thought leaders for a compelling fireside chat as they delve into the enduring challenges faced by Black Americans throughout their educational journey and professional lives. From the pivotal teenage years of exploring employment prospects to the pursuit of fulfilling careers that can propel them into the middle class, our panelists will explore these persistent barriers in depth.

  During this engaging discussion, our experts will highlight the systemic obstacles that hinder the progress of too many Black Americans. Together, we will explore strategies and actionable solutions that must be implemented to dismantle these barriers and foster equal access to high-growth jobs and industries. By doing so, we aim to create pathways that ensure economic security not only for individuals, but also for their families and communities.

  Speakers:

  • Bill Turner, Chief Program Officer, Markle Foundation
  • Michael Collins, Vice President of the Center for Racial Economic Equity, Jobs for the Future
  • Patti Constantakis, Director of Corporate Philanthropy, Walmart.org
    

   

  Sponsors:

  

• Demystifying Equity and Access: Driving DEIA in Registered Apprenticeship

  Designing education and training programs for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) can be daunting, and it can be challenging to know what your role can be in elevating DEIA in program design and delivery. Yet, as labor market inequity persists, this work remains critical. High-quality job training programs can be a springboard to family-supporting jobs. However their promise, for many, has been largely unattainable.

  The potential for economic advancement is clear in Registered Apprenticeship (RA), but to achieve its promise as a driver of workforce equity, apprentices themselves must be at the center of program design with the strong support of DEIA practices. This session will feature an RA program that has successfully advanced equity and access within its programs. Speakers will share lessons learned and recommendations and will offer actionable and tangible tactics and strategies to attendees. They will offer guidance on how different stakeholders, such as employers, RA sponsors, pre-apprenticeship and other job training on-ramp providers, and state partners can support DEIA efforts. This session will also provide language and framing for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

  Speakers:

  • Daniel Villao, CEO, Intelligent Partnerships, Inc.
  • Michele Jacobs, Senior Director of Youth Development, United Way Atlanta
  • Monty Green, Program Manager of the IT Apprenticeship Program, Elevance Health

• Driving Inclusive Regional Economic Development through Community Leadership and Voice

  Inclusive regional economic development requires centering people, places, and community assets to address regional and local barriers to economic advancement and increase community influence over economic outcomes. Given their deep community connections and historical neighborhood-specific knowledge, community-based organizations (CBOs) and other groups that center the lived experiences of workers and families are trusted resources, and are well-positioned to fill the gaps of traditional education and workforce actors. This interactive discussion features perspectives on what is needed to ensure community inclusion in policy, education, workforce, and comprehensive regional economic strategies. Participants will leave with concrete examples of what funders and institutional actors can do to create the conditions for greater community participation in inclusive regional economic development to achieve more equitable outcomes.

  Speakers:

  • Alex Avila, Professor and Chief Executive Officer, Avila Production
    
  • Ana Luz Gonzalez Vasquez, Project Director, UCLA
  • Hernan Hernandez, Executive Director, California Farmworker Foundation
    
  • Leneka Pendergrass, Researcher, Berkeley

• Improving Outcomes for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous Learners at Scale

  The National Scale Enterprise work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is designed to close the access and attainment gap for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous learners. Through the Research and Design for Growth & Equity Grant, Arizona State University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Western Governors University are researching learner experiences at scale to optimize targeted policies and practices. In this session presenters will share powerful insights from the research that are actionable across educational settings.  

  Speakers:

  • Annalisa Holcombe, Senior Vice President of Advancement, Western Governors University 
  • Chantae Recasner, Equity Research Manager, Western Governors University 
    
  • Kimberly Merritt, Vice President of Learning Enterprise, Arizona State University
  • Adrian K. Haugabrook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the Social Impact Collective, Southern New Hampshire University

• Iteration and Innovation: Expanding Access to Digital Jobs

  This session will convene a panel of practitioners, employers, and training/credential providers to share best practices and strategies to increase the number of Black, indigenous, Latinx, people of color, women, LGBTQIA, or other populations underrepresented within the IT industry.

  Speakers will discuss how to develop localized career pathways that support entry into digital skill jobs and will identify several of our leading sites and partners to share how they have innovated in order to support on-ramps to digital jobs for these priority populations.

  We will provide a forum for audience members to present organizational challenges and to workshop with and learn from panelists.

  Speakers:

  • Caitlyn Brazill, Chief Development Officer, Per Scholas 
  • Daniel Kamins, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Comcast
    
  • Manny Felix, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AZ Cyber Initiative
  • Whitney Lester, Senior Director of Talent Development, Hampton Roads Workforce Council

• Investing in Human Potential Pitch Competition

  JFF’s Investing in Human Potential pitch competition is here! Six innovators from tech startups focusing on adult learning solutions will answer this question: How are you centering human potential in your education and workforce designs? Follow event hashtag #JFFHorizons to find out who wins the $10,000 prize. 

  Speakers:

  • Brian Dixon, Managing Partner, Kapor Capital
  • Sabari Raja, Managing Partner, JFFVentures
  • Smitha Das, Director of Mission and Impact Investing, World Education Services (WES)

• Lightning Round: Lightning Round: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

  Lightning round presentations are three 12-minute presentations from different speakers that present big ideas and new thinking on a particular topic. 
  
  Hear individual presentations from three different experts leading the way in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

  Speakers:

  • Gayatri Agnew, Senior Director and Head of Accessibility Center of Excellence, Walmart
  • Marshaun Hymon, Senior Director of Learning and Advisory Services, Grads of Life
  • Kelly Mitchell, Founder, Inclusive Design Group

• Shaping the Next Generation of Diverse Tech Leaders – Women and Girls of Color

  The representation of women of color in the tech industry has only progressed 1% in the past decade. What will it take to empower women and girls to take their place in the future of work and ready the workplace to be inclusive and diverse?

  Join us as we discuss an intersectional approach to building a stronger, more inclusive workforce focused on skills and not pedigree – so we see a more diverse tech workforce for the next decade.

  1. Reveal the systemic barriers, biases, and hardships women and girls of color face to enter, remain, and advance in the tech industry.
  2. Provide a business case to the importance of innovation across the industry and to the bottom line and the key partnerships necessary to transition women and girls of color into tech.
  3. Inform training partners within companies and within the community how to focus on skills that can prepare workers who already have some key skills to meet role-specific and employer-specific skills needs.
     

   

  Speakers:

  • Ashley Grambly, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Girls Who Code
  • Candice L. Dixon, Executive Director of Command Shift, NPower
  • Gwyneth Gaul, Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Community Impact, Comcast NBCUniversal
  • Linda Calvin, Chief Impact Officer, Reboot Representation
  • Sierra Bentley, LEAD IT Specialist, Articulate

• The Future of Corporate Skilling: Designing and Delivering Training for Impact

  Join us for a conversation on the rapidly evolving skills landscape and how L&D leaders at top companies are building training strategies that meet the needs of diverse adult learner groups amid a transformative moment for workforce learning and AI.

  Speakers:

  • Efrem Bycer, Senior Lead Manager of Public Policy, LinkedIn
    
  • Eugene So, Managing Director of Lifelong Learning, JFFLabs
  • Jenn Stredler, Former Vice President of Workforce Development, Salesforce
  • Megan O'Connor, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Chegg Skills
    
    

  Sponsor:

  
  

   

• The Future of Hiring: How Technology, Changing Worker Demands, and a Shifting Labor Economy Have Changed Hiring Forever

  There has never been greater pressure on hiring managers. The labor market is tighter than ever. Jobs are changing; worker interests are changing; the mandate to build diverse teams is more fully embraced; and employers are trying to embody and communicate a whole new value proposition to the market. Meanwhile, the tech that supports hiring at scale is evolving rapidly, changing the way talent is sourced, assessed, and selected. There is incredible opportunity in this moment -- for employers and jobseekers alike. How has hiring changed in the last 3 years -- and where is it going next? How can we manage this moment in a way that centers equitable economic opportunity and inclusion? In this session, we'll hear from leaders who are managing this moment, and helping to build the future of talent acquisition.

  Speakers:

  • Fernando Rodriguez-Villa, CEO, AdeptID
  • Jessica Muench, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, United Airlines
    
  • Jocelyn Caldwell, Vice President of Workforce Strategy and Organizational Growth, Walmart
  • Nikita Steals, Vice President of Tech Talent Acquisition, Capital One

• Workshop: Partnering with Employers to Rethink Talent Pipelines

  For businesses to compete in today’s tight labor market, they need strategies to access and retain a skilled workforce. Upskilling and training providers can play an important role in filling those business needs by developing sustainable and scalable partnerships with employers. This session will explore two real case studies of employer/provider partnerships that have solved specific business challenges. Speakers will lead smaller breakout groups in a workshop and discussion to develop a plan on how they would tackle the challenge before sharing real results from the case study at the end of the session. This exercise will focus on principles and best practices that can be applied to developing partnerships that both serve more workers and are good for the company's bottom line.

  Speakers:

  • Andy Tonsing, Director of Postsecondary Education, Stand Together
  • Daniel Cervantes, Senior Vice President, Skills for America
    
  • Noah Mitchell, Regional Senior Vice President, Midwest

  Sponsor:

  

   

4:15 PM - 5:30 PM | Main Stage: Activating Equity

Grand Ballroom

• “The Path Forward”: A Conversation With Valerie Jarrett and Dalila Wilson-Scott

  When it comes to activating equity, Valerie Jarrett has seen it all— from local politics in Chicago and running a business to working as President Obama’s most-trusted advisor to now CEO of the Obama Foundation. In conversation with Comcast’s Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Dalila Wilson-Scott, Jarrett will share insights from her experience advocating for equity from her seat at the most powerful tables in the world, and where she and her colleagues find success—and challenges. Valerie and Dalila will also discuss the progress that’s been made in equitable education, training, and employment for Black learners and workers, (as well as other populations left behind or excluded by our systems) and where we need to rewrite the script to make some bold moves in policy and practice soon.

  Speakers:

  • Dalila Wilson-Scott, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation
  • Valerie Jarrett, CEO, The Obama Foundation

• The Fight for LGBTQ Rights is Also the Fight for Economic Advancement

  The fight for LGBTQ rights has both made tremendous progress in the past two decades and suffered painful and dangerous setbacks. Currently, there are active and ongoing efforts to restrict the liberties of queer individuals in classrooms, offices, and public spaces, with the ACLU tracking over 450 anti-LGBTQ bills across the country. We’ll discuss the state of the LGBTQ movement and see what lessons can drive economic advancement for queer learners and workers in today’s increasingly polarized society. We'll also examine what has been learned by this movement that can apply to the barriers and opportunities experienced by other groups.

  Speakers:

  • Charlotte Clymer
  • Alexia Korberg, Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

   

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM | Main Stage: Redesigning Systems

Grand Ballroom

• Disrupting the Status Quo: Redesigning Our Education-to-Workforce Approach

  We’re at a career readiness crossroads. Of high school graduates, 65% do not feel prepared to make college or career decisions. Only 2% have had a critical work-based learning experience, and over half say they don't plan to follow the traditional college degree path. Restoring young learners’ confidence in pursuing careers and preparing for the workforce is not one-size-fits-all. To meet the needs of GenZ and Gen Alpha, who are craving faster, less expensive, more applicable learning paths to good-paying careers, we need to work together as an ecosystem to execute urgently—without limits—a new way forward.

  Speakers:

  • Jean Eddy (Introduction), President and CEO, American Student Assistance
  • Cheryl Oldham, Vice President of Education Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
    
  • Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO, College Futures Foundation
  • Linsey Davis, ABC News Anchor and Author
  • Tequilla Brownie, CEO, TNTP

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Building From the Bottom Up: A Federal Overview From Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves

  Hear from U.S Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves on how the Department of Commerce is leveraging the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act to boost and broaden our talent pipelines. In a conversation with Linsey Davis of ABC News, they will explore how the federal government is prioritizing economic development from the bottom up.

  Speakers:

  • Don Graves, Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce
  • Linsey Davis, News Anchor, ABC & Author
    

• Bridging the Divide: A Fireside Chat With Governor Larry Hogan

  At a time of unparalleled political polarization, many Americans are skeptical of their elected leaders coming together to fix a broken labor market. In two terms, however, Maryland’s former Governor, Larry Hogan, narrowed this divide by implementing bipartisan policies to create a more inclusive job market. Most notably, Maryland became the first state to remove college degree requirements for state jobs under Governor Hogan’s leadership. Hear from Governor Hogan and Linsey Davis of ABC News on how policymakers and industry leaders can work together to redesign employment systems to better meet the challenges of the 21st century economy.

  Speakers:

  • Larry Hogan, Former Governor of Maryland
  • Linsey Davis, News Anchor, ABC & Author

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM | Spotlight Sessions

• Better Together: How Community Colleges and Employers are Collaborating to Improve Economic Mobility

  Join state and system leaders from two of JFF’s postsecondary networks, the Community College Workforce Consortium and the Student Success Center Network, to learn about how community colleges and workforce systems are addressing equitable economic advancement at scale with employers. Moderated by Paul Fain, this panel discussion will feature President David Harrison from Ohio’s Columbus State Community College, President Anne Kress from Northern Virginia Community College, and Michael Whitlock, of Sabey Data Center. These innovators will join Paul to discuss their statewide and college-level workforce priorities with employer partners. Together, the panelists will provide rich examples of how community colleges are working together to respond to workforce demands, skills development, and equitable economic advancement. This discussion is sponsored by Ascendium and inspired by the recently published whitepaper by Joe Fuller titled The Partnership Imperative: Community Colleges, Employers, and America’s Chronic Skills Gap. Participants will learn about the myriad of ways states and colleges are creating infrastructure to address workforce and training challenges at scale. Come learn from this group of trailblazers that embraced the blurred lines between work and learning. 

  Speakers:

  • Anne Kress, President, Northern Virginia Community College
  • David Harrison, President, Columbus State Community College
    
  • Michael Whitlock, General Manager, Sabey Data Centers
  • Paul Fain, Journalist & Analyst
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Beyond Adoption: Building Impactful Apprenticeship Programs for Today’s Modern Businesses

  Employers and policymakers alike are turning to apprenticeships in fast-growing fields like tech as a strategy to both rethink their hiring processes and create new pathways to economic opportunity. But what do these learn-and-earn models actually look like in practice, and how can they be designed with an intentional focus on equity and inclusion? This panel brings together employers, intermediaries, and apprenticeship experts to discuss the importance of apprenticeships in the 21st-century workforce and the implementation strategies and considerations that companies should take when building their programs.

  Speakers:

  • Derek Thompson, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
  • Lisa Christensen, Director, Learning Design Center of Excellence
    
  • Shalin Jyotishi, Senior Program Manager, Burning Glass Institute
    
  • Sophie Ruddock, Chief Operating Officer, Multiverse

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Candid Conversations: Horizons Vodcast Stage

  Be one of the first to witness a live vodcast recording at Horizons. Join a small audience to watch new Candid Conversations about pressing systemic issues among prominent thought leaders in education and workforce.

   

  Vodcast 1: Driving Climate Change, The intersection of jobs, economics and the environment

  • Efrem Bycer, Senior Lead Manager of Public Policy and Economic Graph, LinkedIn
  • Taj Eldridge, Managing Director of Climate Innovation, JFFLabs
    

   

  Sponsored by: 

  

   

  Vodcast 2: AI and Employment

  • Erik Brynjolfsson, Director, Stanford Digital Economy Lab & Professor and Senior Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI
  • Tod Loofbourrow, CEO and Chairman, ViralGains
    

   

• Disrupting the Short-term Credential Ecosystem

  As advancements in technology and its adoption increase in pace and scale, the American workforce and education systems are undergoing major shifts. For example, 37% of the average occupation’s top skill requirements have been replaced over the past five years and workers must meet a new set of learning demands to prepare for the numerous job changes they’ll make throughout their lifetime. At the same time, there has been an explosion of 1 million new postsecondary learning opportunities. From digital badges to licenses, employers, funders, and consumers alike struggle to decipher the quality of these opportunities. For employers, it poses a significant challenge to hiring the right talent; for consumers, it can be a struggle to choose the right program to enhance their skills; and for funders, there can be barriers to investing in programs that support the needs of America's future workforce.

  In this Horizons breakout session, we will explore the future of work and similar key trends in the postsecondary credentialing ecosystem. We will leverage the expertise of our panelists to catalyze a discussion around the importance of building trusted signals across stakeholder groups in the market and how new data models could allow us to answer questions such as: Which skills and credentials offer the greatest labor market benefits? Which training investments should employers make in their workforce?

  This session will reframe the challenge and potential solutions for outcomes measurement and quality signals. Audience members will learn about new and exciting research through the BGI and JFF partnership, and about what employers are doing to meet quality signals

  Speakers:

  • April Chou, Chief Strategic Growth Officer, OneTen
  • Ellie Bertani, President and CEO, GitLab Foundation
  • Eugene So, Managing Director, JFFLabs
  • Matt Sigelman, President, Burning Glass Institute
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Next Gen Solutions for Next Gen Talent: How Employers are Reimagining the way They Hire and Advance Gen Z

  Generation Z, the most diverse and soon-to-be most populous generation, is already making a significant impact on the workforce and economy. Their unique perspectives and priorities around work have prompted employers to quickly adapt workplaces to engage, retain, and advance this population. However, the needs and experiences of working-age Gen Z individuals—or early career talent—vary by demographic. For young adults who identify as Black, Latinx, or Indigenous without a college degree, systemic barriers can limit their career advancement and economic mobility. To open access to opportunities for diverse early career talent, tailored and evidence-informed solutions will be necessary. Join this session to learn about the roles that employers, educational providers, and nonprofit organizations can play in preparing, supporting, and advancing early career talent into high-quality careers. Gain insights on best practices and tools to help overcome barriers and seize our moment to ensure the success of the new generation.

  Speakers:

  • Andrès Tapia, Diversity and Inclusion Global Strategist, Korn Ferry
  • Ahva Sadeghi, Co-Founder and CEO, Symba
  • Cortni Grange, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Diversity (ED&I), Salsify
    
  • Erinn Corbett-Wright, Head of Workforce Development Philanthropy, Salesforce
  • Wendi Safstrom, President, SHRM Foundation
    

• One year without Roe: What we've learned about centering economic mobility for women in the workforce

  The pandemic deeply impacted women in the workforce as the boundaries of home and work blurred and increased pressure was placed on women as caretakers. Since this “she-cession”, women’s labor force participation has returned and now tops pre-pandemic levels. But major equity gaps remain when it comes to stability, mobility, and advancement for women. A lack of national paid family leave and exorbitant childcare costs continue to impact women in the workforce. The overturn of Roe v. Wade dismantled 50 years of a constitutionally protected right to an abortion, with massive implications for women’s economic advancement and career development. Pay equity remains a challenge, with women making 84 cents on the dollar and women of color making far less. And men continue to be hired for potential, while women are hired for performance.

  This panel will take a solution-oriented approach to addressing these challenges. We will discuss what companies can do to elevate gender equity issues in the workplace; highlight successful policies and programs that have supported women’s economic advancement -- particularly for frontline workers; and explore where employers must step forward – and where collective action across sectors is essential to support women in the workforce.

  Speakers:

  • Andrea Hagelgans, Managing Director of Social Issues Engagement, Edelman
  • Dara Kagan, First Vice President of Social Impact Banking, Amalgamated Bank
  • Megan Leonhardt, Senior Reporter, Barron's
  • Megha Bansal Rizoli, Director of Employer Mobilization, Jobs for the Future

• Policy Solutions to Address the Black-White Wealth Gap

  This session will feature several people who support various policy solutions to close the wealth gap. Attendees will understand the pros, cons, and feasibility of various policies (these may include baby bonds, tax credits, jobs guarantees, universal basic income, homeownership, etc.) as well as the Biden administration's approach to this issue. 

  Speakers:

  • Andre Perry, Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro
  • Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Chief, Organizing, Policy, and Equity, National Community Reinvestment Coalition
  • Judy Morse, CEO, Urban League of Louisiana

• Supporting Workers & Learners is a Bipartisan Effort – Here's How to Do it

  Political division across the nation is deeper and more extensive than at any point in the last two decades. While many are pessimistic that our governments are too divided to function, the reality is that many bipartisan policies supporting learners and workers have been enacted in the past five years. And local, state, and federal governments have been investing more in universally popular policies like skills-based hiring, childcare, and infrastructure development than ever before. In this session, we’ll hear from state and federal officials on how successful bipartisan policies have been implemented and can be scaled to increase economic mobility. Additionally, we will examine the role of collaboration in policymaking, and how stakeholders can work with government officials from both parties to achieve meaningful change.   

  Speakers:

  • Amy Jones, Director of Education & Human Services Policy, House Committee on Education & the Workforce
  • Greg Cheney, Washington State Representative
    
  • Karishma Merchant, Associate Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, Jobs for the Future
  • Roberto Rodriguez, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy, Department of Education

• The Crossroads of the Future of K12 Education, Higher Ed, and Workforce Development

  Over 65% of GenZ said high school did little to prepare them to make education and career decisions. To compound matters, 79% of high schoolers say they want a work-based learning experience to help them test & try before the stakes are too high; yet only 2% have completed any type of real-world learning experiences. And, as the degree as a signal for workforce readiness continues to be scrutinized, over 50% of GenZ stay they are not going the degree route and 74% say they prefer to learn skills that prepare them for jobs that will be in demand in the future. Lastly, employers are seeking to expand their candidate pools; yet, if not via a degree, how do they evaluate credentials and skills? We are at an unprecedented crossroads. The pandemic response, new pathways and AI Everywhere are forcing us to consider what’s next in learning. The solution calls for both secondary and postsecondary educators, plus employers and civic leaders, to come together to significantly reset the learning continuum to better prepare our young people for the ever-changing workforce. Join panelists to learn more about the shifting trends in education and how we each play a role in solving these challenges.

  Speakers:

  • Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
  • Dana Brinson, Senior Director, Spark NC
  • Jason A. Tyszko, Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
    
  • Rob Magliaro, Education Lead, Grow with Google
  • Tom Vander Ark, CEO, Getting Smart
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• What Does the Metaverse Have to Do with It? Preparing Learners with XR Skills for the Future of Work

  Join us for a discussion to learn more about JFF’s partnership with Meta

  Extended reality (XR) and immersive learning (IL) technologies are reshaping how people have fun, learn, and work, while also creating entirely new categories of jobs and careers. Naturally, there is an immediate demand for professionals with the skills to design, code, and assemble new XR software, hardware, and platforms, but the transformation doesn’t stop there. New career paths are already emerging to ensure that businesses, consumers, and communities are able to take full advantage of the opportunities created by “metaverse” technologies, to find the best technology solution for key business challenges, to help individual users navigate and feel safe in immersive experiences, and to determine how best to translate real-world experiences and scenarios into XR—or dream up new worlds entirely. Proven and promising use cases are also available to train learners and workers in a wide variety of skills—both core skills and technical skills—using XR technologies.

  In this session, we will hear from stakeholders including community colleges and technology partners who are actively creating XR skill training opportunities for their learners and workers. The session will encourage education and training providers to think creatively about preparing learners for the future of work, while also encouraging employers to think about the types of jobs they’ll be hiring for in the future and what skills they’ll need to make sure their employees are trained in.

   

  Speakers:

  • Dr. Greg Thomas, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, Isothermal
  • Kristina Francis, Executive Director, JFFLabs
    
  • Marcy Drummond, Vice President, Economic and Social Mobility Innovation
  • Yasmine de Aranda, Head of Marketing, Embodied Labs
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Main Stage: The Next Frontier

Grand Ballroom

• Technology Built by Humans, for Humans—Keeping Ethics at the Forefront of AI Design

  Artificial intelligence has already infiltrated high school essays, passed university-level exams, and automated white-collar tasks. The next technology revolution has already begun—and we’re already seeing the use of AI explode in our workplace and educational systems. Hear from technology leaders and futurists on how we can responsibly incorporate this next frontier of technology into our offices and classrooms. 

  Speakers:

  • Erik Brynjolfsson, Jerry Yang and Akiko Yamazaki Professor and Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI), and Director of the Stanford Digital Economy Lab
  • Derek Thompson, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
    
  • Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO, Coursera
    
  • Noelle Russell, Global AI Solutions Lead, Accenture

   

• “No Choice”: How Gen Z Is Changing the Fabric of the Nation

  With their significant purchasing power and growing presence in the workforce, Gen Z is altering how we approach capitalism, political activism, climate change, and more. Two such voices—Jaylen Smith, America’s youngest mayor, and Kristy Drutman, founder of Browngirl Green—are among the first of their generation to critically change the status quo. At Horizons, they will explore their generation’s unique challenges and opportunities while navigating a rapidly changing world. 

  Speakers:

  • Kristy Drutman,Founder, Brown Girl Green and Co-Founder, Green Jobs Board
  • Mayor Jaylen Smith, Mayor of Earle, Arkansas
    
  • Megan Leonhardt, Senior Writer, Fortune

   

• Making Sense of It All – Where Are We Headed?

  What do these emerging trends and these new realities mean for the future of work and learning? What’s their impact on a multigenerational workforce with a multitude of skills and experiences unlike any we’ve ever seen before? 

  Speakers:

  • Allison Gerber, Director of Employment, Education and Training, Annie E. Casey Foundation
  • Steve Hatfield, Global Future of Work Leader, Deloitte

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM | Breakout Sessions

• Building Equitable Pathways: The Power of Community Building and Practice

  Our country’s education and workforce systems are marked by durable and systematic inequities in educational and career outcomes for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous youth and young people experiencing poverty. Transforming these systems demands more intentional and radical collaboration among K12 and postsecondary educators, employers, community-based organizations, policymakers, communities, and youth. In this session participants will hear from leaders working at local, state, and national levels about models, strategies, and networks that are advancing system-level change to establish and expand equitable pathways from education to career. Key topics will include building a racial equity practice within and across organizations, the new approaches we need to collect, monitor, analyze, and act on data to support equitable outcomes, and the policies we need to create a groundswell of collective action nationally.

  Speakers:

  • Daphne Ross, Chief Impact Officer, Say Yes Buffalo
  • Jon Furr, Executive Director of Education Systems Center, Northern Illinois University
  • Kenyatta Lovett, Managing Director of Higher Education, Educate Texas

   

  Sponsors:

  

• Careers of the Future – What Opportunities Are We Missing?

  When planning their futures, U.S. high school students are overlooking many viable career pathways. In this session, we will share and give you a chance to discuss new research by Gallup and Amazon to identify the best job opportunities for youth based on income, job growth, job vacancies per jobseeker, and automation risk. The research also provides insights on education levels, gender, and racial diversity for each career. Join us for an interactive discussion to help identify the greatest opportunities for youth to earn a family-sustaining wage in their future careers.

  Speakers:

  • Jonathan Rothwell, Gallup, Principal Economist
  • Victor Reinoso, Director, Amazon in the Community Education

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Collaborative Transformation: How Washington State Aligned Skills-Based Training & Career Pathways

  States, workforce regions, and communities across the country are working to implement digital credentials, learning and education records, and other technology to support workforce participation and engagement—all of the things intended to make the lives of students and systems easier. The reality is that they face a number of systems, process, and funding challenges.

  In this session, speakers will discuss how the State of Washington applied a cross-agency approach to overcome these obstacles.

  We’ll look at how to collaborate as a community around a vision of making workforce systems more workforce-centric, how to weave funding for a sustainable approach, and the strategic technology integrations that were critical to improving how the state’s workforce systems partnerships function. The end-result is a system that:

  • Considers diverse systems and people at all levels
  • Gives students and workers agency over their credentials while also making career pathways visible
  • Builds a learner record that can evolve over time
  • Establishes measurement systems for skills-based training

   

  Speakers:

  • Marina Parr, Director of Workforce System Advancement, Washington Workforce Board
  • Laura Ward, Senior Director, Workforce Solutions
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Creating a Multilingual Workforce: Through Inclusive Training, Hiring, and Upskilling Initiatives.

  With immigrants and their children set to comprise 97% of net growth in the U.S. workforce by 2030, it is imperative that employers and educational institutions work together to ensure that we are creating inclusive workplace cultures. It’s past time to build systems that set immigrants up for success. A fundamental step is to connect newcomers with a central skill that can catalyze their careers: English proficiency. The truth is that right now, the U.S. meets the needs of only 4% of our English language learners, and to address this staggering issue, organizations must collaborate to extend the reach of existing programs, build workplace-based earn-and-learn models, and ensure that we’re helping speakers of other languages get the skills they need for equity and advancement in our workplaces.

  Come join a lively panel conversation that will include perspectives from employers, education, government, and immigrant advocacy on data-driven models for workplace immigrant inclusion that actually work.

  Speakers:

  • Cathy Kim, Chief Program Officer, Tyson
  • Jeff Bulanda, Senior Manager, Career Choice, Amazon
    
  • Katie Brown, Founder and Chief Education Officer, EnGen
    
  • Sarah Cacicio, Director, ALL IN (Adult Literacy & Learning Impact Network)
    Barbara Bush Foundation 
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Designing and Fostering Equitable Pathways to High Quality Jobs for Older Workers to Move the Needle on Poverty

  More than 38 million adults over 50 are either living in or at risk of falling into poverty and during the pandemic, millions of older adults experienced further financial hardship, particularly those in low wage jobs. At the same time, longevity trends have change the workplace with more than 30% of the workforce age 50 and over and multiple studies have shown the benefits and value of hiring older workers for employers including increased productivity and lower costs. In this interactive session, attendees will collectively explore high-impact ways and solutions to co-design equitable pathways to good jobs for older workers while building a highly qualified and multigenerational workforce for employers – creating a thriving economy that works for all.

  Speakers:

  • Mindy Feldbaum, Vice President of Workforce Programs, AARP Foundation
  • Osmar Padilla, Director of Workforce Programs, Greater New Orleans, Inc.

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Innovating for Diversity

  Today’s headlines are riddled by stories of DEI programs gone awry--well-meaning efforts that are under-resourced and produce more process that results. This rapid-fire four-way conversation with the two authors of “Innovating for Diversity” and leaders from two companies profiled in the book will dive into what it really takes for DEI to become embedded into culture. You will meet corporate leaders who have both taken an equity-centered approach to hiring, training, and retaining their staffs and have done so with strong, replicable business outcomes. These are the voices of practitioners willing to share their mistakes, their motivations, and their models for creating more inclusive cultures.

  Pressing questions our panelists will answer include:

  1. What motivated the decision to break out of traditional recruitment practices to identify new, diverse sources of talent?
  2. What were the internal barriers they confronted and overcame when challenging existing systems?
  3. Companies featured have forged brand new paths for non-traditional talent, inventing process along the way. What did it take? How did they build internal support?
  4. In an uncertain economy, how is each company keeping DEI front and center?
  5. What are the skills and qualities each company is looking for in their candidates?

   

  Speakers:

  • Ann Marr, Executive Vice President of Global Human Resources, World Wide Technology
  • Bertina Ceccarelli, Chief Executive Officer, NPower
  • Raymond L. Pitts, Senior Vice President of Global Data Center Strategy, Citi
  • Susanne Tedrick, Technical Trainer, Microsoft, Co-author, Innovating for Diversity & Author, Women of Color in Tech

• Is This the Future of Higher Education?

  The higher education ecosystem continues to evolve and change. New incarnations of public institutions and a plethora of short-term educational programs outside of the federal system are emerging—along with new ways to validate and vouch for quality. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges from players at the heart of this burgeoning ecosystem. We’ll also think about what systemic change is necessary, including from policymakers and funders, to enable continued responsible innovation and growth.  
   
  The future of higher education and workforce development will continue to blur and overlap. Already, new providers of education and training are emerging, growing, and scaling in ways that align and overlap with colleges and universities—and chart new models. We’ll discuss how this future will play out, with a focus on innovative approaches to ensuring that the quality of this education is high.  

  Speakers:

  • Ajita Menon, President, Calbright College
  • Jake Weissbourd, Higher Education Strategy Consultant
  • Nitzan Pelman, CEO, Climb Hire
    
  • Rebecca Dahl, Head of Education Partner Relations, EdAssist by Bright Horizons
    

• Language Matters: The Hard Work of How

  Actions might speak louder than words, as the idiom goes, but effective actions often start as words. To create more equitable economic opportunity in the U.S. education and workforce systems, language matters. This interactive workshop will focus on how to help you and your partners ensure more inclusive language in your work.

  We’ll build on JFF’s journey by sharing strategies from others who have applied equitable language in their organizations’ work, and engaging participants to share their approaches as well as challenges and questions.

  This breakout seeks to provide opportunities for Horizons stakeholders, whether in workforce, policy, education, technology, philanthropy, or corporate America, to roleplay and compare notes with peers to gain comfort to equitably describe the populations they serve. Attendees will leave the session with guidance about how to cut through the noise and fluidity around language and lead with human-centered and people-first narrative.

  Speakers:

  • Clair Minson, Founder and Principal Consultant, Sandra Grace LLC
  • Devon Miner, Director, Jobs for the Future
  • John Simpkins, President, MDC
    
  • Terrell Blount, Director, Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network (FICGN)

• Lightning Round: Designing a Future That Works

  Lightning round presentations are three 12-minute presentations from different speakers that present big ideas and new thinking on a particular topic. 
  
  Hear individual presentations from three different experts about the future of work–and the implications and impacts on both future generations and the systems we learn and work within. Speakers will cover the current state of the economy, implications for the future of work and how to design practices and policies that work for everyone.

  Speakers:

  • Steve Hatfield, Global Future of Work Leader, Deloitte
  • Chike Aguh, Chief Innovation Officer, Biden Administration Presidential Appointee
  • Bill Hughes, President and CEO, Ed Design Lab

• New Models Blend High School, Higher Ed, and Workforce Development

  Promising models are gaining traction and giving learners a new way to prepare for the workforce. CTE, early college, P-TECH and other blended high school/college programs have seen an all-time level of popularity as learners are searching for new paths to develop skills for future jobs. Enter stage right: blended pathways of the next generation—an emerging model that starts in high school and incorporates real-world experiences, college credit, and industry credentials to create paths to financial freedom. Join panelists as they discuss how secondary educators, postsecondary educators, and employers are approaching a reset of the paradigm.

  Speakers:

  • Aaron Frumin, Founder and Executive Director, Uncommon Construction
  • Corey Mohn, President and CEO, CAPS Network
  • Jonathan Johnson, Founder and CEO, Rooted School Foundation
  • Lauren Barack, Reporter, K12 Dive
  • Sylvia Symonds, Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    
    

  Sponsor:

  

• No Place for Women: Ensuring Equity & Economic Mobility for Women Impacted by the Criminal System

  While we are seeing a decline in incarceration overall, the rates of incarceration for women, especially women of color, have increased significantly: 475% from 1980 to 2020. Yet, women’s unique needs are often overlooked, and there is a stark disparity in their access to the education and training opportunities that can help them achieve economic advancement when they are released. In this session, we’ll hear from experts about this disparity between men's and women’s opportunities and how this inequity is particularly acute for women of color. This session will also demonstrate how women are changing these conditions to with strategies that meet the needs for repair and restoration for women (and their families) and transform opportunities for women who have experienced incarceration or convictions. 

  Speakers:

  • Alexa Garza, Fellow, Ed Trust
  • Lucretia Murphy, Vice President, Jobs for the Future
    
  • Syrita Steib, Founder & Executive Director, Operation Restoration
  • Topeka Sam, Founder & CEO, The Ladies of Hope Ministries, Inc.

• Policy and Practice Solutions to the Youth Disconnection Crisis

  Systems designed to serve young people all too often reinforce the barriers to economic and emotional well-being that they already face, perpetuating high rates of youth disconnection from education and the workforce. This session will highlight exemplary re-engagement and youth services programs that are helping young people who our system has let fall through the cracks throughout their education and career pathways.

  Practitioners, policy experts, young advocates, and participants with direct experience in these transformative programs will discuss how employers, policymakers, and educators can apply innovative models to create and maintain conditions where all young people can thrive.

  Speaker:

  • Julio Bermudez, Youth Leadership Fellow, New Orleans Youth Alliance
  • Re'kal Hooker, Youth Leadership Fellow, New Orleans Youth Alliance
  • Serena Holthe, Senior Director of Programs and Strategy, American Youth Policy Forum
    
  • Tashia Gaspard, 2022 Opportunity Youth Congressional Liaison

• Technology Innovation Behind the Walls and Beyond: Changing the Game for People with Records

  In this interactive session hear from dynamic founders who have harnessed their lived experience with the criminal legal system to transform structures and create economic mobility for people with records and their families. UnlockedLabs and FreeWorld are two tech-enabled nonprofit organizations committed to changing systems and equipping millions of people who are currently or formerly incarcerated across the nation with the tools, education, and jobs they need to live positive, productive lives.

  Speakers:

  • Jason Wang, Founder and CEO, FreeWorld
  • Jason Whyte, Co-Founder and Chairman, National Reentry Workforce Collaborative
  • Jessica Hicklin, Chief Technology Officer, Unlocked Labs, & Programmer Analyst, Washington University in St. Louis
  • Ved Price, Executive Director, Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM | Breakout Sessions

• Addressing Degree Limitations and Creating Value for Learners and Employers

  While the bachelor’s degree garners skepticism among some prospective students, policymakers, and employers, data continues to show significant lifetime income benefits for degree holders. However, due to the realities of rising prices, high opportunity cost, and other factors, we can’t ignore the skepticism and must lean into the changing nature of learner populations, needed skills development, and accessibility that reaches more individuals who have not been served well by the incumbent system.

  As a disruptor in higher education, Western Governors University (WGU) has a unique perspective on serving learners for whom the traditional system is not well suited. The vast majority of WGU’s more than 300,000 graduates had some prior college experience that left their education incomplete and at a financial disadvantage before coming to WGU to complete.

  After 25-years of serving learners who demonstrate the absolute need for flexibility and agility in their learning experiences and recognizing that millions more individuals need a pathway into higher education and a resilient career, WGU is leaning into disruption. We’re innovating through academic design and in advancing the skills ecosystem that creates a virtuous cycle for learners, employers, and educators.

  How do we best solve for additional flexibility and agility within learning, and for those individuals with no prior college experience who work in jobs that are low-resilient with low-wages—a group we call Rising Talent?

  Just as WGU sought to redefine a degree experience over its first 25 years, WGU now looks to offer a unique approach to microcredentials that are designed for this Rising Talent learner. Our panel will address the design decisions, data behind our development, what we have learned, and how to ensure microcredentials deliver value to learners and employers, just as the bachelor’s degree does.

  Speakers:

  • Chris Lee, President, WGU Academy
  • Sarah DeMark, Vice Provost of Workforce Intelligence & Credential Integrity, Western Governors University

   

  Sponsor:

  

• America's Hidden Economic Engines

  America’s Hidden Economic Engines is the title of a new Harvard Education Press volume focused on the role of community colleges in driving shared prosperity. The book contains detailed case studies of five colleges that put economic mobility at the center of their mission. We’ll hear from the leaders of two of these institutions as well as a state policymaker.

  Speakers:

  • Bob Schwartz, Senior Advisor, Harvard Project on Workforce
    Lee Lambert, Chancellor, Pima Community College
  • Marcia Ballinger, President, Lorain County Community College
  • Marty Alvarado, Vice President of Post Secondary Education and Training, Jobs for the Future
  • Rachel Lipson, Former Director, Harvard Project on Workforce
    

• Bringing New Technologies to Learners: Lessons from the Trenches

  How should leaders think about challenges and opportunities of implementing new technologies like AI, especially with learners?  Panelists will bring lessons learned from major initiatives leveraging metaverse, cloud, and blockchain technologies.  

  Speakers:

  • Alex Edgar, Student, UC Berkeley & Horizons Ambassador
    
  • Jennifer Henry, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Engagement, Proof of Learn 
  • Muhsinah Morris, CEO, Metaversity
    

• Corps Address Climate and Health Crises and Create Pathways to Meaningful Work for Young People

  The transition to a green economy presents an extraordinary opportunity to increase economic prosperity, create millions of new jobs, and build a more equitable future. Conservation corps are uniquely poised to play a key role in this transition by preparing young people for the green jobs of the future. Corps are a proven pathway to employment – providing members with training, skills, and hands-on experience that can lead to careers in conservation, clean energy, and climate resilience. As the largest funder of conservation corps, AmeriCorps has prioritized funding for programs that address climate change and create workforce pathways. 

  AmeriCorps also invests in a range of programs in the healthcare sector, including the Public Health AmeriCorps program, which was recently launched in partnership with the CDC to address public health crises and develop the next generation of public health professionals. Numerous other AmeriCorps programs create opportunities for members to gain skills and credentials in healthcare, bolstering their opportunities for employment after service and the healthcare field’s talent pool. 

  Join us for a discussion on how national service can strengthen workforce pathways to in-demand careers in the green and healthcare economy. Learn from federal and state officials and Corps leaders about apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, credentialing, and other workforce strategies Corps are leveraging to advance their missions. Panelists will discuss barriers and opportunities to work together to make corps and national service not just a pathway but a superhighway to jobs of the future. 

  Speakers:

  • Devin Hamilton, Program Director, PowerCorps PHL
  • Fiona Yung, Program Officer, Initiatives, Schultz Family Foundation
  • John Kelly, Executive Director, Serve Colorado (CO State Service Commission)
  • Sarah Brady, Vice President of Workforce Development, Family Scholar House
  • Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell, Senior Advisor for Partnerships, AmeriCorps

• Community-driven Approaches to Emerging Tech and Clean Energy Apprenticeship

  The tech sector’s recent rounds of layoffs and scaling back of apprenticeship beg us to reconsider our top-down approach to such hiring programs. How might apprenticeship design and execution be more community-driven, harnessing bottom-up employee activism and engagement, while reducing hiring cost and risk to employers in uncertain times? How might we ensure that Black, Latinx, and Native talent are connected to skills and emerging trends at the center of the innovation economy, such as unprecedented advances in artificial intelligence and green technology? Join the conversation with leading community experts and employers pushing the status quo around racially inclusive emerging tech and clean energy job pathways.

  Speakers:

  • Ian Harris, Business Development Lead, BlocPower
  • Illianna Acosta, Global Employee Resource Group (ERG) Chair, & Senior Manager, LinkedIn
  • Kirsten Lundgren, Director of Tech Economic and Workforce Initiatives, Kapor Center 
    
  • Yscaira Jimenez, Chief Innovation Officer, Opportunity@Work
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

   

• Elevator Pitch Your Electeds

  The current state of the workforce is a major priority across states. Many state legislators across the political spectrum are proposing policy solutions aiming to address critical workforce needs. These policy measures hold the promise of accelerating the efforts of educational institutions, as well as workforce development and community-based organizations to strengthen talent pipelines and economic opportunities in their communities. Yet, sometimes, there remain disconnects between practice and policy, and between the underlying goals of practitioners and of policymakers. Opportunities to make a big impact on workers, employers, and communities are missed.

  In this session, our bipartisan panel of legislative leaders will offer their insights on how practitioners can more effectively engage in the policymaking process to help inform and champion policy reforms. The legislative panel will share their priorities and the barriers they face, reflect on their experiences of engaging with practitioners during the policymaking process, and offer tips on how practitioners can be more helpful and impactful.

  Speakers:

  • Greg Cheney, Washington State Representative
  • Kristine Reeves, Washington State Representative
  • Libuse Binder, State Policy Innovation Fellow, Strategic Consultant
  • Misti Ruthven, Director of Education & Training Innovation, State of Colorado, Governor's Office
  • Vicki Christophersen, Government Affairs Consultant

• Employers Leading the Way in High School Work-based Learning

  Working-to-learn experiences help learners build skills employers need and provide businesses with an expanded pipeline of talent. When 79% of high school students say they are interested in a work-based learning experience, why have only 2% completed an internship? Join panelists on a discussion on the barriers facing high school learners and 6-12 educators in implementing a WBL program and how employers, who are interested in expanding their candidate pipelines, can overcome challenges and expand working-to-learn opportunities.

  Speakers:

  • Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
  • Jacqueline Olliges, Head of Partnerships, Amazon
  • Julie Lammers, SVP of Advocacy and Corporate Social Responsibility, American Student Assistance
  • Mandy Hildenbrand, Chief Services Officer, Genesys Works
  • Stephanie Reisner, President and CEO, GPS Education Partners
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

• Employer Solutions: Practical strategies for identifying, recruiting, and retaining untapped talent

  This action-oriented panel provides employers and workforce development practitioners with insight into effective models of engagement that address the challenges of helping employers find the talent they need, helping workers access quality jobs, and helping communities develop inclusive economies for all. The speakers will address practical lessons and strategies that have worked in – and can be expanded to – a variety of communities and settings.

  Speakers:

  • Monica Munn, Chief Social Impact Officer, World Education Services
  • Erica Bouris, Director of Economic Empowerment, International Rescue Committee
  • Michelle Wilson, Director of Evaluation and Learning, National Fund for Workforce Solutions
  • Emmanuel Owusu, Executive Director, African Bridge Network
    

   

  Sponsor:

  

   

• Lightning Round: If you can dream it! You can do it!

  Lightning round presentations are five 6-minute presentations from different speakers that present big ideas and new thinking on a particular topic.

  We are in unprecedented times as technological innovations such as automation, online collaboration and artificial intelligence are reshaping fundamental aspects of how and where people work. As the labor market shifts, many workers in mid to low-wage jobs will be left behind if not equipped with the right skillsets and competencies to adapt to the changing landscape.

  Impact-focused startup founders are braving this new world to create scalable solutions that will provide economic advancement for all while enabling employers to hire and retain diverse talent. Whether it's engaging the deskless workforce, eliminating the competencies and skills gap, empowering underserved populations (including women, immigrants, disabled workers, and communities of color), or providing holistic support to the low-wage worker, these innovative startups are leaving no stone unturned.

  Join us to hear it from the horse’s mouth! Meet these impressive entrepreneurs with lived experiences that will shape the Future of Work! 
  

  Speakers:

  • Carlos Guillermo, Co-Founder and CEO, Territorium
  • Jessica Rothenberg-Aalami, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, Cell-Ed 
  • Joseph Alim, Vice President of Product and Operations, Compt
  • Lukas Simianer, Co-Founder and CEO, Clusiv
  • Muriel Clauson Closs, Co-Founder and CEO, Anthill.ai
  • Sabari Raja, Managing Partner, JFFVentures

• Multiple Pathways to Success: How Gen Z is Planning for Their Future

  Generation Z is considering all their postsecondary options after high school and focused on aligning their choices to careers of interest. Careers and career readiness have become increasingly important to them, even those bound for a four-year institution. However, over half of high school graduates will not enroll directly into a four-year program, and as all students seek more choices, many are considering multiple pathways to meet their goals. Join College Board’s BigFuture team as we speak with students on how and why they’re making these decisions and how we can best support students in whichever pathway they choose.

  Speakers:

  • Ashleigh Goldberg, Director, BigFuture Partnerships
  • Emily Herrera
  • Isabella Ba
  • Maria Garibay 
  • Toni Dismuke, Incoming Computer Engineering Major, Howard university & Karsh Stem Scholar K’7
    

   

  Sponsor: