Summit Speakers

This year’s Human Potential Summit will feature a dynamic speaker lineup of CEOs, CHROs, and leaders from across business, workforce, and education. Together, they’ll share perspectives on the critical shifts shaping the future of talent transformation, including opening new doors to opportunity, forging ecosystems that build skills-first strategy at scale, navigating change and new technologies with agility, cultivating cultures of retention, and embedding innovative practices that result in business growth.

Visit the Agenda page to learn more about how these voices come together across the full two-day program and to discover the conversations that will define the future of work for companies and workers.

Arthur Brooks, Harvard Professor and Bestselling Author

  • Arthur Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a columnist at The Atlantic, where he writes the popular weekly “How to Build a Life” column, and hosts the podcast, Office Hours.

    Brooks is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, including Build the Life You Want in 2023, co-authored with Oprah Winfrey, and From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.


    Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies, and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.

Spencer cox, governor of Utah

  • Gov. Spencer J. Cox is a husband, father, farmer, recovering attorney, and Utah’s 18th governor. He also served as the 2023-2024 chairman of the National Governors Association.

    Gov. Cox has a long track record of public service, serving as a city councilmember, mayor, county commissioner and state legislator before being appointed as Utah’s lieutenant governor in 2013. He was sworn in as governor on Jan. 4, 2021.

    During his first term in office, Gov. Cox cut $1.1 billion in taxes, implemented landmark changes in water law, water conservation and infrastructure planning, locked in record funding for education and teachers, enacted universal school choice and secured funds for affordable housing. A long-time advocate for suicide prevention and mental health resources, he’s become a national voice on protecting youth from the harms of social media. He also signed early education and workforce program funding, launched the One Utah Health Collaborative, and expanded opportunities for women, diverse communities and those living in rural parts of the state.

    With a focus on solutions, Gov. Cox promotes respect in politics and innovation in government, works across party lines to find common ground and regularly participates in hands-on service projects. These elements were the foundation of his NGA Chair’s Initiative, “Disagree Better: Healthy Conflict for Better Policy.”

    A sixth-generation Utahn, Gov. Cox was born and raised in Fairview, a town of 1,200 in the center of the state. He met First Lady Abby Palmer Cox at age 16 and they married after he returned from serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mexico. He attended Snow College, Utah State University and the Washington and Lee University School of Law, then clerked for U.S. District Judge Ted Stewart and worked at a Salt Lake City law firm. Several years later, Gov. Cox and First Lady Cox moved back to Fairview to raise their four children – Gavin, Kaleb, Adam, and Emma Kate – on the family farm. The governor, first lady and Emma Kate currently reside in the Kearns Mansion, also known as the Governor’s Mansion, in Salt Lake City.

Bridgett beene, workforce development manager, advocate health

  • Bridgett Beene is a seasoned workforce and career development leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning human resources, higher education, and healthcare. Throughout her career, she has been guided by a passion for advancing equity, accessibility, and professional growth, believing every individual deserves a clear path to opportunity and advancement.

    Before joining Advocate Health, Bridgett worked in higher education as Director of Career Services, where she led programs that strengthened retention and built career pathways for diverse student populations. That experience laid the foundation for her current role, where she leverages her expertise in coaching, talent pipelines, and workforce partnerships to support both organizational goals and individual advancement.

    As Workforce Development Manager at Advocate Health, Bridgett leads initiatives that address the unique needs of frontline and entry-level teammates. She is the architect of the Teammate Success Coaching Program, an innovative model that combines career development with wraparound support such as transportation, food, and childcare resources. Her work has connected hundreds of teammates facing barriers with the tools and guidance to remain employed, pursue meaningful career pathways, and access internal mobility opportunities within the organization.

    Bridgett holds an MBA from Lewis University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northern Illinois University. She is an active community leader, serving on boards for youth and diversity-centered organizations, and continues to dedicate her time to building inclusive environments where talent at every level can thrive.

clare healy, Consultant, University of Chicago Medicine

  • Dedicated to advancing equity and innovation, Clare Healy has spent over nine years working in nonprofit and workforce systems to create opportunities where they are needed most. She has managed more than $96M in grants, scaling community health programs, strengthening workforce pathways, and building cross-sector partnerships. Currently at University of Chicago Medicine, Clare leads initiatives to address workforce shortages, expand talent pipelines, and create internal upskilling opportunities. Previously, she oversaw a grant portfolio at the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and managed Chicago’s COVID-19 Response Corps, connecting more than 10,000 residents to essential services through a community-based model. A graduate in Health Sciences from DePaul University, Clare is driven by the intersection of public health and workforce development and committed to designing human-centered processes that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

alison lands, Vice President in the Employer Mobilization Practice, JFF

  • Alison Lands is Vice President of Employer & Workforce Solutions at Jobs for the Future, a national organization focused on aligning stakeholders across the work and learn ecosystem to place 75 Million Americans in quality jobs by 2033.

    In her role at JFF, Alison leads a team focused on a team that works with employers and cross-sector leaders to create talent solutions that benefit workers, businesses, and communities alike. Through a combination of research, consulting, and network engagement, JFF are the go-to advisors for companies seeking to make the ‘future of work’ work for everyone.

    Throughout a portfolio career in workforce and economic development, Alison has partnered with diverse cross-sector leaders to develop strategies for economic growth and value creation, including Fortune 500 companies, governments, education institutions, and impact organizations.

    Prior to JFF, Alison led strategy and partnerships for SkyHive, a global innovator in skills intelligence helping customers navigate the rapidly evolving world of work. She also led the North American Skills Transformation practice at Coursera, advising over 300 enterprises on bespoke reskilling strategies for their employees and jobseekers. In addition, Alison has held senior leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting, BCG, the New York State Economic Development Council, and the City of San Antonio, Texas.

    A Certified Economic Developer and Board Director for the Association for Talent Development (ATD), Alison regularly engages on industry trends, public policy, and advocacy issues related to human capital as a lever to drive economic resilience. A lifelong learner and self-described "skills evangelist," Alison has dedicated her 20+ year career to advocating for investments that improve livelihoods, strengthen regions, and unleash human potential.

Terry hollingshead, Director of Learning and Advisory Services, Grads of life

  • Director of Learning and Advisory Services at Grads of Life, an initiative of Year Up United. As a Skills-First subject matter expert and learning designer, she partners with employers to develop and implement inclusive talent strategies that drive business performance and community impact. With a focus on skills-based hiring and advancement, Terry helps organizations unlock human potential through transformative learning experiences and strategic workforce initiatives.

    A seasoned leader with over 18 years of experience in strategic enrollment management across private and public higher education, Terry brings deep expertise in access, equity, and work-based learning. Her background as a college professor informs her approach to designing dynamic learning sessions and cultivating vibrant communities of practice that foster collaboration and innovation.

    Terry holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. She is a passionate advocate for cross-sector partnerships that advance talent transformation and inclusive economic growth.

ED O’BOYLE, GLOBAL PRACTICE LEADER, GALLUP

  • Ed O’Boyle oversees Gallup’s research and consulting practices. He ensures Gallup’s leading-edge science and discoveries drive the impact and performance of Gallup’s clients. Ed has been instrumental in developing many of the company’s consulting frameworks, including the Culture and B2B frameworks. He also spends time working as an executive adviser to several Gallup clients. 

    Before joining Gallup, Ed served in strategic leadership roles in brand management and innovation at Diageo, Barclays, Capital One and PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division. Ed earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Mark Tapy, Talent Management Director, Pinnacol Assurance

  • Mark Tapy serves as the Talent Management Director at Pinnacol Assurance in Denver, CO. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing recruiting, hiring, work-based learning, and talent development programs and strategies. These initiatives are designed to pipeline, hire, and develop skilled talent to meet the organization's in-demand staffing requirements. Prior to his current position, Mr. Tapy was the Apprenticeship Program Manager at Pinnacol, where he collaborated with local educational institutions, internal stakeholders, policymakers, and non-profit intermediaries to successfully design and launch one of the largest U.S. Department of Labor registered youth apprenticeship programs in the state. Throughout his career and academic pursuits at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Mr. Tapy has cultivated a strong dedication to assisting individuals in preparing for and successfully entering meaningful employment and workforce opportunities. In 2020, he was recognized as one of the Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award recipients for his contributions to education and workforce development. He also recently served as the interim president of CareerWise Colorado, where he collaborated on state and national youth apprenticeship program implementation initiatives.

ryan stowers, sVP, Stand together and executive director, charles koch foundation

  • Ryan is senior vice president at Stand Together and executive director of the Charles Koch Foundation. Since joining the Stand Together community 19 years ago, he has led investments and partnerships with hundreds of the most innovative organizations, including nonprofits, universities, and other philanthropies. In his current role, he is focused on partnering with leading businesses and employers to empower all individuals to live lives of meaning and contribution. Ryan serves as chairman of the board of the Bill of Rights Institute and the Institute for Humane Studies, and on the national advisory board of the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Matt Joyce, Founder and partner, envoy

  • Matt Joyce is a founder and partner at Envoy, a social impact consulting firm with a practice dedicated to Fair Chance employment.  Matt has spent the past decade working with large companies and industry leaders to implement best-in-class HR practices and launch talent strategies to recruit, retain, and advance candidates with past convictions. Matt has also helped lead local and national Fair Chance employment initiatives such as the Second Chance Business Coalition and the Manufacturing Institute's Second Chance program.  Matt previously held leadership roles with the GreenLight Fund in Philadelphia and the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). He holds a BA from Haverford College and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Stephanie Millichap, Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer at United Airlines

  • Stephanie Millichap is a communications leader with nearly 20 years of experience in roles spanning aviation, manufacturing, and cultural institutions. She currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer at United Airlines, where she drives strategic initiatives for the CIO focused on organizational change management, talent development and operational reliability. In this role she also oversees United’s Airshop Innovation Lab and leads its Innovate early career program, a workforce development program that provides technology training and career opportunities at the airline.

    Most of Stephanie’s career has been in communications and public affairs roles, including setting up the corporate communications function at the APAC headquarters of Johnson Controls in Shanghai, China. There, she helped advance the company’s reputation in sustainability across the region and established an employee communications strategy and structure to serve its nearly 50k employees in Asia. 

    Stephanie holds a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and French from New York University. She lives in Chicago with her husband Chris, two young sons and grouchy but loveable dog, Walter.

kevin martin, chief research officer, i4cp

  • Kevin Martin is the chief research officer at the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp); the leading research firm focused on discovering the people practices that drive high-performance.

    In addition to guiding i4cp’s research agenda and deliverables, Kevin also advises corporate and human resources leadership teams on best- and next-practices in a broad range of topics that range from talent risk management and corporate culture, to human capital strategy and organizational agility. He also serves as executive sponsor of i4cp's distinguished Chief HR Officer Board.

    Kevin earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from the University of Dayton.

scott Pulsipher, president,
Western Governors  University

  • Scott Pulsipher has served as president of Western Governors University (WGU), the nation’s premier nonprofit competency-based university, since April 2016, leading all academic, operational, and organizational functions. He cultivates a student-centric environment by using technology and data to improve three key measures: completion, return for graduates, and equity in both access and attainment.

    Scott has been named by EdTech Digest as one of the Top 100 Influencers in EdTech, and also serves on multiple higher education and technology boards, including as board member at the American Council on Education and Jobs for the Future, as well as chairman of the board for Presidents Forum.

    Before coming to WGU, Scott had more than 20 years of leadership experience in technology-based, customer-focused businesses, including Amazon, Sterling Commerce (now part of IBM), and two successful startups that traverse retail, supply chain, banking, payments, and manufacturing sectors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Brigham Young University and an MBA from Harvard University. 

larry miller, Chairman of the Jordan Brand, Nike and Founder of JUMP

  • Larry Miller is the founder of the Justice & Upward Mobility Project (JUMP) and the current Chairman of the Jordan Brand Advisory Board, a division of Nike Inc. He has garnered international respect for his reputation of being an inspirational leader who understands how to build innovative, cultural and premium businesses in the world of sport and lifestyle establishing the standard for athletic luxury footwear and apparel.

    Miller was president of the Jordan Brand from 1999-2006 and again from 2012-2021. From 2006-2012 he served as President of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to joining Nike in 1997, Larry served as President for Jantzen, Inc., a Manager for Kraft General Foods, and Assistant Controller at Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. His memoir, JUMP, My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom, was published by William Morrow/ HarperCollins in 2022. Co-authored with his daughter Laila Lacy, JUMP details Miller’s ascent from the streets of West Philadelphia to some of the highest distinctions of the corporate world.

debbie brown, President, Colorado Business Roundtable

  • Debbie Brown is President of the Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT), a public policy organization that unites executives from Colorado’s leading employers in business, academia, community, and government. COBRT works with business and civic leaders to address statewide challenges, strengthen Colorado’s economic vitality, and promote policies that support a competitive economy and high quality of life.

    Before joining COBRT, Debbie founded Amplify Strategies, a communications and public policy consulting firm. She advised businesses, nonprofits, and advocacy efforts on strategy and messaging, and has launched and grown several organizations throughout her career.

    Her leadership has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and as a Who’s Who in Energy honoree by the Denver Business Journal. She also serves on the Advisory Council of the Women’s Democracy Network.

donna Bungard, Director of Accessibility, Indeed

  • Donna Bungard is the Director of Accessibility at Indeed and holds globally recognized certifications in accessibility and project management and recently earned a Master of Science in Global Technology and Development. With over 20 years of agency experience and lived expertise as part of the disabled community, Donna brings a strategic, human-centred lens to advancing inclusive, accessible marketing experiences.

SArah Klebo, Director of Human Resources, Fitness Formula Clubs

  • Sarah Klebo is an HR leader with a Master’s degree in Behavioral Science with a focus in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a SHRM-CP certification. Her career is rooted in the hospitality industry, where she has led people-first initiatives to strengthen culture, boost engagement, and support high-performing frontline teams.

    Before transitioning fully into HR, she worked in the legal field handling civil mediations in Texas courtrooms - a role that sharpened her ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and facilitate thoughtful, solution-driven dialogue.

    Klebo is passionate about challenging others to shift their thought patterns so they can unlock smarter decisions. She brings a strategic, people-centric mindset to every space, grounded in both empathy and results.

Ken Oliver, president of jump

  • Ken Oliver is President of the Justice & Upward Mobility Project (JUMP), leading a national effort to build stronger, safer communities by leveraging sports, business, and entertainment to reshape narratives and expand access to education, employment, and economic mobility for justice-impacted people. He previously served as Chief Innovation Officer at The Just Trust, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Checkr, Inc., and founding Executive Director of the Checkr Foundation, driving innovation, talent development, inclusive hiring, and public policy.

    Ken’s personal journey is a testament to resilience. After serving 24 years in prison, including nearly a decade in solitary confinement, he secured release in 2019 through a landmark civil rights lawsuit. He later co-founded a nonprofit that won $28.5 million from California to create the nation’s first residential technology training campus for justice-impacted adults. His thought leadership has been featured by The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Fast Company, and the World Economic Forum.

Tynecia walker, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Komatsu

  • Tynecia Walker is a thought-provoking leader, strategist, and driver of inclusivity. She is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Komatsu, where she defines, executes, and aligns corporate strategies across North America. In addition, she leads a Global Advisory Council of D&I Practitioners to champion efforts worldwide. With a robust background in the D&I space ranging from manufacturing to pharmaceutical industries, she has transformed, reimagined, and consulted companies to enhance their D&I, marketing, and community engagement practices with limited resources and often from scratch. She currently serves on the board of Inspire Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of adolescent Black boys; and she is an active leader at her church. She is also a mother of three daughters who are empathetic leaders in their own rights, as well as a wife to an amazing husband.

Molly Verghese,
Associate Director of Employer Strategy,
cara collective

  • Molly Verghese serves as the Associate Director of Employer Strategy at Cara Collective, a workforce development agency and social enterprise that works to break the cycle of poverty through the power and purpose of employment. In her role, Molly helps elevate inclusive employment practices, working with organizations to better attract, hire, and cultivate untapped talent. Before joining Cara Collective, Molly served as a Talent Strategy Business Partner at Wayfair, where she helped business leaders strategize around building, retaining, and advancing their team. She loves change management and helping organizations and individuals navigate through uncertainty.

    Dedicated to advancing equity and innovation, Clare Healy has spent over nine years working in nonprofit and workforce systems to create opportunities where they are needed most. She has managed more than $96M in grants, scaling community health programs, strengthening workforce pathways, and building cross-sector partnerships. Currently at University of Chicago Medicine, Clare leads initiatives to address workforce shortages, expand talent pipelines, and create internal upskilling opportunities. Previously, she oversaw a grant portfolio at the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and managed Chicago’s COVID-19 Response Corps, connecting more than 10,000 residents to essential services through a community-based model. A graduate in Health Sciences from DePaul University, Clare is driven by the intersection of public health and workforce development and committed to designing human-centered processes that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

michele smith, Vice President of Workforce Development and Career Innovation, Advocate Health

  • Dr. Smith is a seasoned workforce development and education leader with over a decade of experience in designing and implementing solutions that meet the rapidly changing needs of today’s workforce. Currently, serving as the Vice President of Workforce Development and Career Innovation at Advocate Health, she drives the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive learning programs across the organization, significantly enhancing the learning culture and contributing to improved business outcomes and organizational performance.

    Throughout her career, Dr. Smith has led workforce development initiatives and strategy in both the public and private sectors, establishing herself as a key figure in aligning talent development with business needs. Her expertise spans across various areas, including building strategic partnerships with educational institutions, creating career pathway programs, and designing initiatives to upskill and reskill employees for emerging roles. Dr. Smith’s approach emphasizes collaboration with stakeholders to ensure that workforce programs are aligned with organizational goals, reflect best practices, and deliver measurable impact.

    Prior to joining Advocate Health, Dr. Smith spent nearly 15 years in higher education administration, leading cross-functional teams in workforce development initiatives, accreditation processes, curriculum and faculty development, grant management, and adult education programs. She also served as a faculty member, teaching management, organizational development, and human resources courses, which further enriched her understanding of talent needs in multiple industries. In addition to her extensive professional experience, Dr. Smith has contributed her expertise to several nonprofit boards, supporting community-based workforce initiatives.

    She holds a doctorate in education, a master’s in organizational leadership, and a bachelor’s in human resources, underscoring her commitment to advancing workforce education at every level.

lauren pasquarella daley, aVP, Employer Mobilization practice, JFF

  • Lauren Pasquarella Daley, PhD is an associate vice president in the Employer and Workforce Solutions practice at Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit that transforms U.S. education and workforce systems to advance economic opportunity for all. She leads strategy and implementation of projects that mobilize JFF’s employer network, helping company leaders adopt evidence-based talent strategies that advance workers while giving their organizations a competitive edge. She partners with leading employers to design and scale people-first talent practices that expand opportunity, strengthen career mobility, and prepare workers and businesses for a rapidly changing future. Dr. Daley is a leading subject matter expert on corporate talent practices and the future of work, having developed cutting-edge research, built innovative solutions, and guided companies in applying data-driven insights to transform how they attract, retain, and advance talent. A recognized future of work thought leader, she has been named to lists such as the 2024 Remote Work Influencer report by Remote, and her work has been featured in outlets including the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, CNBC, Thrive Global, and Fortune. Prior to JFF, Dr. Daley was a research partner in the Work Innovation Lab, a think tank by Asana that helps businesses evolve today to meet the growing changes and challenges of the future of work. The Lab equips leaders with data-driven, research-backed approaches for solving their most pressing organizational challenges—today and into the future. Dr. Daley also built and led an enterprise-wide future of work initiative to help corporate leaders prepare for and better navigate the shifting talent landscape for Catalyst, a global research and consulting organization.

Tracy Palandjian, CEO and co-founder, Social Finance

  • Tracy Palandjian is CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, a national nonprofit and registered investment advisor, dedicated to building new funding models to tackle systemic challenges and drive measurable impact. Since 2011, Social Finance has mobilized over $500 million in new investments designed to achieve improved outcomes across a range of issue areas, including economic mobility, health, and housing. 

    Tracy is an author of Workforce Realigned: How New Partnerships Are Advancing Economic Mobility, a Social Finance Institute publication done in collaboration with four Federal Reserve Banks.  

    Previously, Tracy established and led the Nonprofit Practice at The Parthenon Group and also worked at McKinsey & Company and Wellington Management Company. She is a member of the Harvard Corporation, and serves on the boards of the Surdna Foundation, Barr Foundation, and The Boston Foundation. She is a co-founder of the U.S. Impact Investing Alliance, where she serves as Vice Chair. Tracy is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School. 

Keely Cat Wells, CEo, Making Space & Making Space Media

  • Keely Cat-Wells is the Founder and CEO of Making Space is a platform that has supported over 10,000 Disabled professionals in building meaningful careers. Under her leadership, Making Space made history by training and placing the first-ever Disabled hosts on NBC Sports’ Paralympics broadcast. Other partners include Indeed, Netflix, and Visa. Keely also co-founded Making Space Media, a division producing film and TV content centering Disabled voices, securing a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Notably, their recent documentary “Fight To Fly” exposed the inequalities that Disabled travellers face, triggering policy reform. Before Making Space, Keely founded C Talent, an agency that reshaped disability representation in media and grew a roster reaching more than 50 million people. Acquired in 2022, C Talent became the largest acquisition of a company specializing in Disabled talent. Keely is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, a Diana Award recipient, and has served on the advisory board of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. She currently sits on the Los Angeles City Major Event Advisory Council, Human Rights Watch LA Committee and holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever Presidential Leadership Scholar. Additionally, she is a Storyteller in Residence at the Clinton Global Initiative, a White House Mental Health Youth Action Forum Leader, and Gloria Steinem Fellow.

Harris Rollinger, Senior Program Manager, Hidden Talent & Early Careers at KeHE Distributors

  • Harris Rollinger is the Sr. Program Manager for Hidden Talent and Early Careers at KeHE Distributors, where he leads initiatives at the intersection of workforce development and organizational culture. Before joining KeHE, he co-founded the Colorado Fair Chance Hiring Initiative in partnership with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and served as Executive Director of Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Colorado. His career also includes consulting with CommonSpirit Health and guiding community innovation and entrepreneurship strategy at one of Boston's largest non-profits.

    Based in Arvada, CO, Harris lives with his wife, Kristin, their young daughter, and two dogs, Beaumont and Gordon. A graduate of Clark University, he once opened for John Oliver in college as a stand-up comedian and crossed the country on a vintage 1950s Amtrak train with social entrepreneurs from around the world.

Joseph Fuller, Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School

  • Joseph Fuller is a Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, the co-director of the school’s long-term project, Managing the Future of Work and co-head of Harvard University’s multi-disciplinary Project on the Workforce. He is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He studies issues related to employment and income polarization and the relationship between talent and economic competitiveness. Joe has published widely cited papers on various issues related to the workforce, including the skills gap, degree inflation, care economics, the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of work. Prior to joining the Harvard Business School faculty, Joe was a co-founder and long-time CEO of Monitor Group, the global consultancy now called Monitor-Deloitte. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

Ben Gerig, Director of Workforce Pathways, Colorado Succeeds

  • Ben is the Director of Workforce Pathways at Colorado Succeeds, where he utilizes deep expertise in employer and educator engagement to create more equitable education-to-employment pathways for learners and workers across Colorado. He has been integral in leading strategic projects that support these pathways, including K12 Pathways to Employment, One Million Credentials of Value for Coloradans, and the Education to Employment Alliance.

    Prior to Colorado Succeeds, Ben supported thousands of high school Concurrent Enrollment students at Arapahoe Community College, worked as a Student Success Advisor for the Harvard Business Analytics Program, and served as a Marketing Specialist at the University of Denver. Ben holds a bachelor’s in communication and a master’s in journalism from the University of Colorado.

Jeanie Kelley, Vice President of Human Resources, RK Industries

  • Jeanie Kelley is the Vice President of Human Resources at RK Industries, where she drives strategic initiatives to cultivate a people-centric culture rooted in excellence, agility, and forward-thinking innovation.

    With over 20 years of experience, Jeanie has led transformative programs in talent development, organizational design, employee engagement, people operations, and workforce development. Her approach centers on aligning HR strategy with business objectives to accelerate performance and fuel innovation.

    Prior to joining RK Industries, Jeanie held leadership roles at DaVita, Vail Resorts, and other private equity-backed organizations, where she oversaw learning and organizational development, talent management, and corporate social responsibility. Her career spans executive team development, global operations, and finance for a Training Top 125 and Learning Elite-recognized corporate university, as well as system implementations and process optimization. She brings a unique ability to integrate strategic vision with operational excellence, enabling HR to deliver impactful talent strategies and elevate the employee experience.

    Jeanie earned her undergraduate degree in Communications and Mass Communications from Arizona State University. Originally from Los Angeles, she now resides in Denver, CO with her husband and son.

Jeannie Virden, Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer, Central Health

  • Jeannie Virden serves as the Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer for Central Health, which includes CommUnityCare Health Centers and Sendero Health Plans. With more than 15 years of healthcare HR experience, she is dedicated to creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. Jeannie leads efforts in talent strategy, leadership development, and total rewards, always with a focus on aligning culture with mission. Before her current role, she was Vice President of Human Resources at CommUnityCare. She holds advanced HR certifications (SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CPRP) and is active in national professional associations. At the heart of her work is a simple belief: when we care for the people who care for others, we strengthen both our teams and the communities we serve.

Niki DaSilva, senior director of programs and policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

  • Niki DaSilva serves as senior director of programs and policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Her primary objective is to support the Chamber Foundation's Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) initiative by empowering employers with their data to develop sustainable talent supply chains with training and education partners that, in turn, not only build a better workforce, but better communities. In 2021, she led the digital transformation of the Chamber Foundation's TPM Academy® to an online on-demand learning platform, coined TPM Co/LabTM. She also serves as a faculty member for both the TPM Academy and Institute for Organization Management (IOM). 

    Before joining the Chamber Foundation, DaSilva worked for the State of Indiana as legislative assistant to the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and aided the committee in crafting the state’s $34 billion biennial budget. In addition, her portfolio included school funding, tax and fiscal policy, education and workforce development, and health care.

    She received her BA in sociology from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), where she served two terms as student government president. DaSilva continued her studies at Indiana University and pursued a dual MBA/MS in global supply chain management from the Kelley School of Business.

Lori Frasier, Workforce Strategy Consultant
Colorado Business Roundtable

  • Lori Frasier is a workforce strategist and executive advisor helping leaders and boards align people strategy with business strategy in times of change. She partners with the Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) to advance employer-led solutions for workforce readiness and co-authored COBRT’s 2025 Future of Work Report, highlighting employer perspectives on workforce readiness, generational shifts, durable skills, and new models of work-based learning.

    Before founding BrightPath Workforce Strategies, Lori served as Chief People Officer for Pax8 and CPI Card Solutions, and spent two decades in senior strategy and HR roles at KeyBank Equipment Finance. She brings over 30 years of experience guiding corporate, nonprofit, and public-sector leaders to build aligned, resilient teams and thriving organizational cultures.

Marcus felder, Managing Director and Head of Career Pathways, Blackstone

  • Marcus Felder is a Managing Director and Head of Career Pathways on the Blackstone Operating Team. He focuses on several strategic hiring programs with Blackstone’s portfolio companies. These programs include Blackstone Career Pathways which aims to broaden the high-quality talent networks from which Blackstone portfolio companies recruit, develop and advance talent.

    Prior to joining Blackstone in 2020, Marcus worked at the Posse Foundation as a program director in the Posse New York office and as the director of the Posse Veterans Program. He also worked in the University Office of K-16 Initiatives and was a founding staff member of the Stella and Charles Guttman Community College at the City University of New York (CUNY). He began his career in the First Deputy Commissioner’s Office at the New York City Department of Transportation.

    Marcus was a 2024 Aspen Institute Economic Mobility Fellow. He holds an SB from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MPA from Syracuse University, and an MSEd in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College.