Local Solutions, Lasting Impact: Celebrating Ten Years of Adapting to the Future of Work

Anchored by the theme Local Solutions, Lasting Impact, the second day of JobsFirstNYC’s 10th annual Adapting to the Future of Work convening spotlighted the best of what happens when communities harness their strengths, share best practices, and mobilize around a collective vision. Building on an unforgettable first day dedicated exclusively to young adults, the focus shifted to the professionals driving change across New York City and beyond. Workforce practitioners, funders, educators, and policy advocates came together not only to reflect on lessons learned, but to imagine—and act on—new ways of shaping the future of work from the ground up.

An executive breakfast brought together Vanessa Gibson, Bronx Borough President; Kim Council, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President; and Ebony Young, Deputy Queens Borough President, for a lively conversation on place-based innovation in New York City. Moderated by Noël S. Anderson, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, NYU Steinhardt School, the discussion explored how local leadership is tackling workforce challenges by supporting young adults, closing talent gaps, and partnering with employers. The session highlighted practical, forward-thinking strategies designed to strengthen local economies and create lasting impact.

Noël Anderson, Ph.D, Vanessa Gibson, Kim Council, and Ebony Young

A Standing Ovation for a Voice of the Next Generation

Kicking things off in the main conference hall, the room ignited with an electrifying performance by Kai Diata Giovanni, the New York City Youth Poet Laureate, returning after her Day 1 appearance to center the youth voice that inspires and informs this convening. Through her stirring spoken word, Kai challenged attendees to live by the principle of “Nothing about us without us”—calling on leaders to truly listen to young people, include them in shaping the future, and create space for them to claim ownership of their own paths.

Building a National Footprint for Workforce Innovation

In her opening remarks, JobsFirstNYC’s CEO & President, Marjorie Parker, announced an exciting milestone: for the first time in its 19-year history, the organization is expanding nationally. Building on the success of JobsFirstNYC, JobsFirstUSA will incubate and accelerate place-based workforce intermediaries and funder collaboratives in key regions across the country.“Through our CommunityINC initiative, we’ve already extended our work into Northeastern Pennsylvania and Southern Nevada, laying the groundwork for this next chapter,” said Marjorie, as she noted, “This expansion isn’t just about growth; it’s about proving that when communities lead, the future of work can be transformed everywhere.”

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This expansion isn’t just about growth; it’s about proving that when communities lead, the future of work can be transformed everywhere.

Marjorie Parker, CEO and President, JobsFirstNYC

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Keynote in Conversation

Building on that energy, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist and Graciela Mochkofsky, Dean, The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY engaged in a powerful dialogue about the value of truth-telling, courage, and unapologetic community advocacy. In a powerful call to action, Ms. Hannah-Jones said, “We are in a once-in-a-country moment. There was a societal agreement that private companies, supreme courts, and universities were protected. We must now be honest with ourselves. The time for denial is over… We must be vigilant about the way our thoughts are being curtailed.”

Graciela Mochkofsky and Nikole Hannah-Jones

The urgency and clarity of this keynote conversation set the stage for a deeper exploration of action at the community level. From confronting national challenges to building local solutions, the convening then turned its focus to leaders who are translating bold visions into tangible partnerships—demonstrating that lasting change requires both honesty and collaboration.

Building Where We Belong: Infrastructure for Local Prosperity

Leaders from Southern Nevada, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and New York City took center stage to dig into what it takes to drive lasting change in local communities and how CommunityINC, a JobsFirstNYC initiative, is scaling a proven local model for national impact. The discussion, moderated by JobsFirstNYC Executive Vice President David Charron, highlighted how CommunityINC, is scaling a proven local model for national impact. This group of dynamic leaders shared how they are building coalitions and infrastructure that meet communities where they are by reshaping workforce and education systems.

Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, captured the spirit of the moment: “We need to see collaboration as the goal—not just the path to get there. … The silos of brilliance need to come together.”

Dr. Ricardo Villalobos, Chief Programs Officer, Workforce Connections Nevada, shared how collaboration is transforming workforce solutions in his region. La’Shawn Allen-Muhammad, Executive Director, Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation and representative of the Brownsville Hub Cooperative, highlighted how the community has become a thriving hub—sparking new businesses, creating economic opportunities, and building deep local trust.

David Garza, President and CEO of Henry Street Settlement, summed it up simply: “All hope is local.” He pointed to the Lower East Side Employment Network (LESEN) as a powerful example of residents driving solutions that last.

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All hope is local.

David Garza, President and CEO, Henry Street Settlement

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David Garza, La’ Shawn Allen-Muhammad, Laura Ducceschi, Ricardo Villalobos, and David Charron

From Dialogue to Design: Insights from the Breakouts

Interactive afternoon breakout sessions exhorted participants to build their workforce development skills across hot topics like career-connected learning, data for community evaluation, belonging and purpose in the workplace, AI for workforce organizations, and youth-centered recruitment.

Julian Cohen, Founder, Shared Lane, and Robin Blanc, Career Readiness Strategy Manager, New Visions for Public Schools, led a dynamic session for education and workforce development. The session featured an interactive activity, equipping practitioners with practical strategies that support both families and students in making informed post-secondary choices.

In response to the need for accurate and accessible data in workforce development field, Kate Harvey and Tara Shawa, Program Assistants, Measure of America showcased their new Data2Go visualization tool, which has revolutionized the way organizations match both employer and funder needs with the needs of communities. The tool combines data on civic engagement, health outcomes, and educational attainment, making it easier for practitioners to access and apply data-driven strategies.

Mike Swigert, Associate Director, Aspen Institute, demonstrated the “Belonging, Meaning, Wellbeing, and Purpose” framework for navigating job placement amongst a new generation. This session highlighted the need for constructive conversations with employers about how to best support incoming workers and setting Gen Z up for success in the workplace. 

With both anticipation and healthy caution about the future of AI in workforce development, Andrea Vaghy, Chief Programs Officer, and Justin Collins, Senior Director of Programs, Workforce Professionals Training Institute, shared potential guidelines, practical use cases, and actionable tips for how organizations can serve as responsible stewards of AI.

“Young people are the future, and we must include them in conversations about their future, said Christina Xenos, Senior Director, Per Scholas, and Emmanuel Brito, IT Support, Commonpoint Queens, and Per Scholas Alumnus, during an engaging conversation on how to incorporate young people’s lived experiences, cultural sensitivity, and growing curiosity when filling seats for a program.

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Young people are the future, and we must include them in conversations about their future.

Christina Xenos, Senior Director, Per Scholas

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Talent in Transition: Adapting Workplaces for the New Era

Jerome Joseph, Pooja Nayyar, Melissa Haber, and Randy Peers

Leading employers from tech, healthcare, and energy challenged assumptions about what young people need most to succeed in the future of work. In a panel conversation moderated by Randy Peers, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Jerome Joseph, Senior Manager, Global Career Pathways, Salesforce, stressed the importance of preparing the future workforce to sharpen people skills, noting that tech and AI skills can often be picked up on the job. Melissa Haber, Director, Community Workforce Programs and Volunteer and Student Services, Montefiore Medical Center, underscored the need for transparency about the careers being trained for – especially in healthcare. While Pooja Nayyar, Senior Director, Talent & Organizational Development, New York Power Authority, commended the new generation’s hunger to learn and their drive to find purpose in their work.

Policy in Practice: Adapting Systems that Serve Communities

In a thought-provoking policy session, Jane Martinez Dowling, Chief, Office of Student Pathways New York City Public Schools, Nathan Berger, Program and Policy Officer, Robin Hood, Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Chinese Planning Council, and Robert Sainz, Executive Director, New Ways to Work came together to share perspectives on advancing policy that drives impact. The conversation, facilitated by NYCETC President and CEO, Greg Morris, emphasized the importance of aligning on policy priorities, defining organizational niches, and taking a proactive stance. Robert reminded the audience that in times of crisis, collaboration is essential. Carolyn underscored the power of civic engagement, asking, “What can we say to impact our communities? All power is local. That is our guiding force. Staying rooted in our mission. Seize the power to build locally.” Together, their insights highlighted how community voices, educational institutions, philanthropy, think tanks, and intermediaries each play a unique role in shaping policy for the future of work.

Robert Sainz, Nathan Berger, Carlyn Cowen, Jane Martinez Dowling, and Greg Morris

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What can we say to impact our communities? All power is local. That is our guiding force. Staying rooted in our mission. Seize the power to build locally.

Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Chinese Planning Council 

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Moving Forward, Together

As we reflect on ten years of Adapting to the Future of Work, we encourage you to continue these conversations within your networks and organizations. Together, we can reimagine workforce development systems, create the checks and balances needed, and uplift our communities — especially in times of uncertainty.

Key Takeaways:

• Human skills remain essential.Even as AI and automation transform hiring and training, employers across tech, healthcare, and clean energy stressed that adaptability, empathy, and communication are just as important as technical skills.
• Employers must be active partners.True progress requires employers not just at the table, but co-investing in talent pipelines through mentorship, training, and long-term commitments.
• Pathways must open wider. Employers are rethinking degree requirements, rewriting job descriptions, and embracing nontraditional learners to ensure more people can access opportunity.
• Place matters.Local identity, history, and culture should shape workforce solutions—there’s no one-size-fits-all model. Communities thrive when solutions are built from the ground up.
• Trust is infrastructure.Lasting change comes from deep relationships, not quick wins. Coalitions that center trust and flexibility can weather leadership transitions and funding shifts.
• Policy only works if it connects to practice.Success depends on translating bold ideas into on-the-ground results through coalitions, school-employer partnerships, and systems that can sustain success.
• Collaboration beats silos. Whether it’s cross-sector alignment, regional partnerships, or aligning funders with local priorities, collective action is the only way to tackle systemic workforce challenges.
• The next generation gives us hope. From young entrepreneurs to students building new career pathways, panelists underscored that the resilience and creativity of emerging workers is what makes the future promising.