Education & Workforce Conference speakers include Superintendent Catherine Truitt, President Peter Hans, and President Thomas Stith, III.
WHAT: Educators must join forces with job creators to tackle the challenge our state faces every day: North Carolina’s employers cannot find the talent they urgently need.
The NC Chamber invites you to attend our virtual Education & Workforce Conference, presented by Biogen, to learn how to align our state’s education systems with our business communities so that North Carolinians of all ages are empowered with high-quality credentials or post-secondary degrees.
Join legislators, educators, and employers to discuss building, recruiting, and retaining a competitive, diverse, and world-class workforce for North Carolina.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm.
WHERE: Virtual Conference
WHO: Agenda is subject to change; the most recent version is posted online.
MISC.: To RSVP, please email Jennifer Dart: jdart@ncchamber.com
8:00 am: Welcome Remarks
Debra Derr, Director of Government Affairs, NC Chamber
8:15 am: Keynote: How Did We Get Here? And How Do We Move Forward?
Aimee Guidera, President, Guidera Strategy
This keynote will explore how we can learn from our history to improve collaboration between education and business leaders.
9:00 am: Networking Break
9:15 am: A Look to the Future: Skills Needs of North Carolina Businesses
- Lilyn Hester, Head of Southeast External Affairs and Government Relations, Google, Inc.
- Richard Staub, President of Research & Development Solutions Division, IQVIA
- David Mounts, CEO & Chairman, Inmar Intelligence, Inc.
- Kris Carroll, President, Grady-White Boats, Inc.
- Moderator: Susan Gates, Special Advisor on Education, SAS
10:00 am: Networking Break
10:15 am: Breakout Sessions
Legislative Discussion
- Representative Jeffrey Elmore
- Senator Deanna Ballard
- Representative Ashley Clemmons, Ed.D.
- Moderator: Edna Wallace, Education Consultant, RTI
Targeting Under-Represented Populations to Meet the Skills Needs of NC Businesses
- Kevin Austin, Chair of Yadkin County Commissioners and Former President of North Carolina Association of County Commissioners
- Nicole Sullivan, Deputy Secretary for Analysis, Programming, and Policy, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice, NC Department of Public Safety
- Kimberly Williams, Founder and CEO, NC4ME
- Moderator: Ted Lord, Senior Vice President, Golden LEAF Foundation
From School to Career-Ready: How NC Schools are Preparing Students for a Career Path
- Jeremiah McCluney, Principal, Rutherford Early College High School
- Roger Collins, Production Supervisor, Siemens Energy, Inc.
- Kendall Latham, Ph.D., Education Strategist, Dell
- Moderator: Kristie Van Auken, Special Advisor to the Superintendent, Workforce Engagement, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
10:45 am: Networking Break (Breakout Q&A in Lounges)
11:00 am: The Future of Education and Workforce in North Carolina
- Superintendent Catherine Truitt, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- President Peter Hans, University of North Carolina System
- President Thomas Stith, III, North Carolina Community College System
- President Hope Williams, Ph.D., North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities
- Moderator: Gary Salamido, President and CEO, NC Chamber
11:45 am: Where Do We Go from Here?
12:00 pm: Closing Remarks
Debra Derr, Director of Government Affairs, NC Chamber
About the NC Chamber
The NC Chamber works to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina.
For more information, visit ncchamber.com.
About Author
