Sessions are subject to slight changes.

Wednesday, March 26 (Noon - 6:30 p.m.) -- Workforce Development

Noon - 1:00 p.m.: Networking Lunch and Experience Hall

1:00 - 1:10 p.m.

Opening Keynote: What Is the Meaning of a Job? 

Vice President, Hiring Our Heroes
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Setting the Workforce Development Stage

1:10 - 1:55 p.m.

Opening Panel: Today's Workforce Landscape

Today's talent and career ecosystem is full of complexities, and the pace of change remains rapid. Our first panel discussion has a cadre of experts and thought leaders to share data, experiences, and observations about today's workforce landscape. 

Maria Flynn
President & CEO
Jobs for the Future
Stephen Moret
President and CEO
Strada Education Network
Vicki Greene
CEO and President
GED Testing Service, Pearson
Scott Pulsipher
President
Western Governors University

In Conversation With:

Jason Tyszko
Senior Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

1:55 - 2:00 p.m.

Talent Testimonial: Caterpillar Foundation

Kathryn Karol
Chair
Caterpillar Foundation

Alternative Post-Secondary Pathways 

2:20 - 2:30 p.m.

Momentum Moment: Unlocking the Fun in Youth Skills Development 

Stephen White, Esq.
Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel
Center for Science and Industry (COSI)

2:30 - 3:05 p.m.

Elevating Alternative Post-Secondary Paths

Stuart Andreason
Executive Director of Programs
The Burning Glass Institute
Aaron Olson
Executive Vice President
Aon
Kathleen deLaski
Board Chair
Education Design Lab

In Conversation With: 

Ian Wilhelm
Deputy Managing Editor
Chronicle of Higher Education

3:05 - 3:25 p.m.

EPIC Partnership Spotlight: Work-Based Learning in Pennsylvania

Elizabeth Bolden
Executive Director
PA Chamber Education Foundation
Sylvester E. Williams, IV, Esquire
Dean, College of Business and Management
East Stroudsburg University

In Conversation With: 

Joseph Davis
Director, Communications
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

3:25 - 3:35 p.m.

Momentum Moment: Involving Students in a Solutions Mindset

Monica Goldson, Ed.D.
President and CEO
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington

Skills-based Workforce Development 

3:50 - 4:25 p.m.

Creating Opportunity Through Trade and Technical Education 

Ben Brubeck
Vice President, Regulatory, Labor and State Affairs
Associated Builders and Contractors
Greg Dozier
Commissioner
Technical College System of Georgia
Brenda Hellyer, Ph.D.
Chancellor
San Jacinto College

In Conversation With: 

Peter Beard
Vice President
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

4:25 - 4:45 p.m.

Trailblazing in Skills-based Hiring and Advancement 

Lydia Logan
Vice President, Global Education and Workforce Development
IBM

In Conversation With: 

Dane Linn
Senior Vice President
Business Roundtable

Day 1 Closing Remarks

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.: Networking Reception and Experience Hall 

Thursday, March 27 (8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.) -- Workforce Participation

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.: Networking Breakfast and Experience Hall

Barriers to Workforce Participation 

9:00 - 9:25 a.m.

The Policy Backdrop 

Gain important national context from the U.S. Chamber Policy Team on workforce issues including the economic landscape, employee benefits, immigration, and more. 

9:25 - 10:00 a.m.

Improving Systems that Support Workforce Participation

Meredith Archie
President
North Carolina Chamber Foundation
Amity Schuyler
Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President of Workforce Development
Greater Memphis Chamber
John Rees
Senior Policy Advisor, Community and Economic Development
Federal Reserve Bank Atlanta

In Conversation With: 

Stephanie Ferguson
Senior Director, Workforce and International Labor Policy
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

10:00 - 10:40 a.m.

Easing the Tensions Between Care and Career

A solutions-focused look at child care and elder care as imperatives that impact individuals' ability to fully participate in the workforce. 

Chris Quinn
President & CEO
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce
Alan Robins
Senior Director, Consultant Engagement
Bright Horizons
Sara Redington
Chief Philanthropy Officer
The Miles Foundation
Keller Anne Ruble
Client Success Manager
BridgeCare

In Conversation With: 

Aaron Merchen
Executive Director, Early Childhood Education, Policy & Programs
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

10:40 - 10:45 a.m.

Talent Testimonial: BridgeCare

Charles Holloway
BridgeCare

Untapped Talent: Opportunity Populations

11:05 - 11:15 a.m.

Momentum Moment: Taking Action to Build a Wider Talent Pool

For the United States to prosper amidst changing times and in a technology-forward landscape, we must ensure there are opportunities for everyone to utilize and build their skills to participate in our nation’s economy. Doing so requires a fundamental shift in the ways we think about and engage opportunity youth and other potential talent populations — focusing not only on the barriers they face but also the ideas and strengths they offer.

Lisa Lawson
President and CEO
The Annie E. Casey Foundation

11:15 - 11:50 a.m.

Unlocking Employment Pathways for New Talent

Learn about successful strategies and programs to reduce employment barriers and advance job opportunities for distinct talent communities, thus enriching our workforce ecosystem. 

Marvin Carr
Director, Strategic Initiatives
Walmart Foundation
Alex Beck
Welcoming Communities Manager
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
Amelia Nickerson
CEO
First Step Staffing, Inc.

In Conversation with: 

David DeLong
President
Smart Workforce Strategies

11:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.

Advancing Career Paths for Military Spouses

12:05 - 12:10 p.m.

Talent Testimonial: AARP

12:15 - 1:15: Networking Lunch and Experience Hall

Human Capital 

1:15 - 1:20 p.m.

The American Opportunity Index

Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Managing Director
Schultz Family Foundation

1:20 - 2:00 p.m.

Helping Individuals Chart Their Paths to Upward Economic Mobility

Latisha Chisholm
Executive Site Director
College Track Southeast D.C.
Shaba Keys
Chair
Boys & Girls Club of Harlem; New York/Long Island Area Council for Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Elizabeth House
Executive Director
The West Virginia Chamber Foundation
Irene Shih
CEO
Minds Matter Bay Area

In Conversation With: 

Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Managing Director
Schultz Family Foundation

2:00 - 2:05 p.m.

Talent Testimonial: Minds Matter Bay Area

Irene Shih
CEO
Minds Matter Bay Area

2:05 - 2:25 p.m.

Fireside Chat: Enhancing Workplace Well-Being Through Strategic Partnerships

Prioritizing employee well-being is critical to cultivating successful workplaces cultures. Investing in initiatives and resources that support the holistic well-being of workers can help organizations build more authentic engagement in the workplace, unleash the potential and passion of their employees, and enhance talent recruitment and retention. Learn how Edward Jones is partnering with Headspace to provide associates with mental and emotional well-being resources to help them manage stress, navigate challenges and thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Suzan McDaniel
Chief HR Officer
Edward Jones

With: Lisa Mulrooney Gross, Chief People Officer, Headspace

2:25 - 3:35 p.m.

Workplace Innovations Breakout Workshops

Building Meaningful Employment Environments™ | Great Hall 

Robert Martichenko
Board Chair
TrailPath Workplace Solutions

Celebrating the Multigenerational Workforce | Lee Anderson Room 

With: Julie Miller, Ph.D., M.S.W., Director of Thought Leadership, Financial Resilience

Innovation

3:35 - 3:45 p.m.

Momentum Moment

Nitzan Pelman
Founder
Climb Hire

3:45 - 4:20 p.m.

Developing a Workforce for New and Emerging Jobs

Today, jobs and skills exist that were not part of our workforce ecosystem just a few short years ago, and more keep emerging. In the midst of exciting changes and advancements, it is necessary to create systems and processes that address questions such as: How do we best identify and describe new skills? How do we build a community of educators and trainers to keep up with new and emerging skills? How do we sustain a talent pipeline for years to come in new sectors and career pathways as our workforce needs evolve.

Geoffrey M. Roche
North America Director, Workforce Development
Siemens Healthineers
Jonathan Smith
Senior Chief Deputy Director
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity

In Conversation With: 

Jaimie Francis
VP
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

4:20 - 5:00 p.m.

Technology Is Reshaping Work -- Adapting to Changes in Skills and Occupations

While artificial intelligence automates routine tasks, its true potential lies in augmenting human capabilities, creating new job roles, and driving innovation and productivity. AI is expected to displace 92 million jobs globally by 2030 but generate 170 million new roles. Roles requiring advanced analytical, technical, and strategic skills will grow. Nearly 40% of core job skills will shift, underscoring the urgent need for workforce reskilling. This will require employers, training and development organizations, and community partners to work collaboratively to develop new ways to acquire and finance in-demand skills and new methods to bridge learning and career advancement. How can we use this as an opportunity to work together and deliver on economic-mobility opportunities for all?

Matt Gee
Director, U.S. Program Data Strategy
Gates Foundation
Brent Orrell
Senior Fellow
American Enterprise Institute

In Conversation With: 

Pamela Wilson
Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

5:00 - 5:10

Our Collective Role in Advancing an Engaged, Agile, and Resilient Workforce

Conclude your Talent Forward 2025 experience with a journey through the key learning points. Find space in your day to think through the small actions you can take to advance Discuss how to activate your learnings and collectively be part of the solution for advancing an engaged, agile, and resilient workforce.

5:10 - 6:15 p.m.: Networking Reception