Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, 19 Others to Present at Dynamic Event

With New Jersey’s workforce at a turning point amid talent shortages, shifting demographics, and evolving employer needs, NJBIA is inviting the media to attend a dynamic Workforce Summit on Wednesday, April 29 at Pines Manor in Edison.

The event, “Making New Jersey the Workforce State,” is presented by  Focus NJ and powered by NJBIA and will bring together some of the state’s most important government education, industry, and community leaders to brainstorm recommendations to inform future workforce strategy and workforce development priorities.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, Secretary of Higher Education, OSHE Chief of Staff Sandra Gilot-West and NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka will provide opening remarks for the program, which starts at 9 a.m. (8 a.m. for breakfast and networking.)

Recommendations made during the discussion will be compiled by Focus NJ, an independent research nonprofit conducting nonpartisan economic and the workforce and the studies, and presented to the Sherrill administration and the Legislature to help inform future workforce policies.

This is a continuation of previous Education Equation reports developed and updated by NJBIA and Focus NJ, with many of the recommendations in those documents resulting in action.

“This discussion is vital to ensuring that learners of all ages are equipped to meet New Jersey’s evolving workforce needs now and into the future,” said Althea D. Ford, NJBIA Vice President of Government Affairs and Focus NJ Executive Director.

“We are excited by the level of thought leaders participating in this event as we collaboratively work toward developing a cohesive talent pipeline strategy for New Jersey.”

Other panelists and/or interactive session participants include:

• Christopher Emigholz, Chief Government Affairs Officer, NJBIA, & Trustee, Focus NJ

• Dr. Yolanda Allen, Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Development, NJ Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

• Rich Bagger, Partner and Executive Director, Christie 55 Solutions LLC, & Trustee, Focus NJ

• Denise Beckson, Vice President/Chief Administrative & External Affairs Officer, Morey’s Piers & Resorts

• Robert Bullard, Associate Vice President, External Engagement & Economic Development, Rowan University

• Chrissy Buteas, President & CEO, HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, & Trustee, Focus NJ

• Dr. Deborah Cornavaca, Director of Government Relations, New Jersey Education Association

• Kristi D’Angeli, CEO & Founder, WorkDynamX

• Susan LaMonica, Chief Human Resources Officer, Citizens

• Dr. Nicol Nicola, Director of Economic and Demographic Research, NJDOLWD

• Scott M. Shaw, President and CEO, Lincoln Technical Institute

• Catherine Frugé Starghill, Esq., VP, New Jersey Council of County Colleges and Executive Director, New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development

• Cyndie Williams, Executive Director, Carpenter Contractor Trust

• Deborah Visconi, President & CEO, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

• Cali Williams Yost, CEO and Founder, Flex+Strategy Group

The full agenda can be found at the bottom of the event page here.

Media interested in covering “Making New Jersey the Workforce State” can RSVP with NJBIA Chief Communications and Media Officer Bob Considine at bconsidine@njbia.org.  

Sponsors for “Making New Jersey the Workforce State” include:

• ACI Medical & Dental School

• Amazon

• AmeriHealth

• Arnold Ventures

• AT&T

• Atlantic City Electric

• Carpenter Contractor Trust

• Citizens

• Connell Foley

• dsm-firmenich

• Eastern Janitorial

• Focus NJ

• Garden State Employment and Training Association

• Hackensack Meridian Health

• HealthCare Institute of New Jersey

• Hermann

• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

• IBEW Local 102

• Johnson & Johnson

• Lincoln Tech

• Manufacturing Counts

• Marotta

• Minding Your Business TV

• Morey’s Piers

• New Jersey Business Magazine

• MyLeaveBenefits.nj.gov

• New Bridge Medical Center

• NJEA

• NJMEP

• New Jersey Community College Consortium

• New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

• NJM

• New Jersey Resources

• NJCPA

• Otsuka

• Planet NJ

• Prager Metis

• pwc

• Rowan University

• South Jersey Industries

• United Airlines

• WGL Energy