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The New Formula for Workforce and Talent Development: Inclusive Partnerships, Braided Funding, and Career-Aligned Training
Across the country, workforce development systems are under pressure to deliver better outcomes in an economy that demands speed, flexibility, and equity. Traditional pathways, such as community college without clear career prospects, no longer serve enough people well. A report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement found that 42% of community college students reported their colleges taught them “very little” or “not at all” about in-demand jobs in their regions, highlighting a disconnect between education and workforce needs. As employers seek adaptable, job-ready candidates, there is growing demand for more agile and inclusive talent development strategies.How can cities and regions build smarter, more inclusive systems to prepare people for jobs that exist right now and those emerging tomorrow?On DisruptED, host Ron Stefanski features Sandy Mead, the Vice President of Workforce Development at Skilltrade, and Tracey Carey, CEO of Midwest Urban Strategies. Together, they unpack how innovative partnerships, braided funding models, and career-aligned education are reshaping workforce and talent development in Detroit and beyond.Key Points from the Episode:Braided funding and employer partnerships create practical pathways: Programs involving partners like Focus Hope show how aligning training with employer needs leads to stronger outcomes.Stackable credentials build career agility: Carey emphasizes the importance of enabling workers to grow across sectors, especially in fast-changing fields like healthcare.Innovation must be community-centered: The episode highlights how regional collaboration across states like Missouri, Kansas, and Georgia fuels scalable, inclusive workforce solutions.Sandy Mead is a seasoned workforce development strategist with over two decades of experience designing training programs in healthcare and IT. She has held leadership roles at Skilltrade, Metrix Learning, and MedCerts, where she focused on aligning employer needs with online and hybrid learning solutions that lead to nationally recognized certifications. Her expertise lies in building strategic partnerships and expanding access to career-aligned training for underrepresented and unemployed populations across the U.S.Tracey Carey is the CEO of Midwest Urban Strategies, where she leads multi-state workforce collaborations focused on innovation, funding, and inclusive career pathways. She brings over two decades of expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and program development across workforce, education, and youth services. As founder of People Capital, Inc., Carey has supported public-private initiatives that align training systems with labor market needs in healthcare and beyond.
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24:32
The Future of Residential College: Hybrid, Scalable, and Built for Student Demand
The traditional residential college experience is transforming. Driven by rising costs, declining enrollment, and student demand for flexibility, small private colleges are rethinking their academic models. A 2022 McKinsey & Company survey found that 65% of higher education students want aspects of their learning experience to remain virtual, even post-pandemic. This shift signals a growing appetite for hybrid environments that blend campus life with scalable online access.What does a hybrid future look like for small colleges, and can it preserve the heart of the campus experience while offering students more?On DisruptED, guest host Darin Francis, the CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting, welcomes Charlie Anastasi, the VP at Rize Education. Anastasi explains how his team is guiding colleges through the shift toward hybrid learning. Speaking from the ASU+GSV Summit, he describes how Rize partners with over 100 institutions, including many residential colleges, to collaboratively deliver online programs that broaden academic offerings, boost enrollment, and improve career outcomes.Key TakeawaysRize enables small colleges to launch high-demand programs like cybersecurity by sharing core online courses across institutions.Students retain the in-person residential experience while gaining access to new majors that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive to launch individually.Rize partners report a fivefold return on investment through increased enrollment and strong student satisfaction with hybrid course offerings.Charlie Anastasi is Vice President of Revenue and Academic Partnerships at RizeEducation, where he leads institutional growth strategies that expand access to affordable, career-aligned programs. He previously served in leadership roles at Adrian College and CADRE, bridging higher education innovation with strategic development. Earlier in his career, he worked in real estate private equity at Blackstone, bringing strong financial and operational expertise to the education sector.
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27:43
Representation in Tech Is Evolving And Storytelling Is Leading the Way: A Conversation with Microsoft's Bryan Kelly (Ep. 2)
As the demand for diverse, tech-savvy talent accelerates, the way we spark interest in STEM among underrepresented youth is evolving. At a time when fewer than 1% of venture capital dollars go to Black-led startups and authentic representation in tech remains scarce, books, media, and mentorship are becoming unconventional yet powerful tools for change. Increasingly, leaders in technology are realizing that early, culturally relevant exposure—not just curriculum—can ignite lifelong passion and close persistent equity gaps in STEM fields.So, how do we transform STEM from an intimidating field into an accessible, relatable journey, especially for kids who’ve never seen themselves in tech?In the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski continues his conversation with Bryan Kelly, Senior Director of Data Products at Microsoft. They explore Kelly’s new young adult book, Cass Freeman: Decision Trees, and the vision behind using fiction as a tool to demystify data science and inspire youth of color to see themselves as future technologists. The episode dives into why stories like Cass’ are critical—and how they’re part of a broader movement reshaping the culture of innovation from the ground up.Key takeaways from the episode…Fiction as STEM On-Ramp: Kelly explains how Cass Freeman offers readers ages 12–18 an authentic, digestible introduction to data science through narrative and real-world challenges.Tech Meets Culture: The book intentionally represents underrepresented communities in tech, helping young readers see that they belong in spaces where big data, algorithms, and AI are shaping the future.From Books to Movements: Initiatives like Black Tech Saturdays and mentorship stories featured in the episode show how grassroots efforts create thriving ecosystems for diverse representation in tech in places like Detroit.Bryan Kelly is a seasoned technology executive with over 15 years of leadership in data products, analytics, and enterprise platforms, currently serving as Senior Director of Data Products at Microsoft. He has led large-scale global teams and driven strategy across SaaS, marketing technology, and operations, managing budgets upwards of $80M. Known for his expertise in data governance, architecture, and digital transformation, Kelly combines technical fluency with business acumen to deliver measurable innovation and operational excellence at scale.
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24:52
Driving Diversity in Tech Through Storytelling and Early STEM Exposure with Microsoft's Bryan Kelly (Ep. 1)
As industries across the globe push deeper into digital transformation, the demand for STEM talent in the U.S. is soaring—and increasingly unmet. In fact, the growth of jobs requiring STEM proficiency has accelerated sharply in recent years, outpacing the pipeline of skilled workers, particularly in technical fields that require postsecondary education. The shortage isn’t just a labor market issue; it’s a risk to the nation’s innovation capacity and economic competitiveness.So how do we inspire underrepresented students to see themselves in STEM before they ever step foot in a college classroom?In the latest episode of DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Bryan Kelly, Senior Director of Data Products at Microsoft, for a powerful conversation about how early exposure, self-learning, and storytelling are reshaping the future of STEM education. From his own unconventional journey to the launch of a STEM-themed book series, Kelly shares why reaching kids before college is key—and how data can be a gateway to self-empowerment.Key takeaways from the episode…Self-Taught to Microsoft: Kelly shares how self-guided learning and determination took him from bookstores to building enterprise-level data products.Early STEM Exposure is Critical: He argues that encouraging Black and brown students to pursue tech must start before college to prevent disillusionment and dropouts.Storytelling as STEM Evangelism: Kelly introduces his new book, Cass Freeman: Decision Trees, a coming-of-age story that weaves real-world data science into a relatable, authentic narrative.Bryan Kelly is a data and technology executive with over 15 years of leadership experience, currently serving as Senior Director of Data Products at Microsoft. He has led global teams of 100+ and managed $80M budgets across enterprise e-commerce, SaaS, marketing tech, and data strategy, with a consistent focus on operational excellence, data governance, and scalable architecture. Previously holding senior roles at Samsung and co-founding Montlake Labs, Kelly combines deep technical expertise with a proven track record in revenue growth, analytics innovation, and cross-functional collaboration.
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23:30
Detroit’s Workforce Transformation Runs on Innovation, Inclusion, and Opportunity
Detroit is rewriting the rules of workforce development by betting on technology, community, and second chances. Far from a top-down solution, this workforce transformation is driven by grassroots innovation and partnerships that reflect the city’s resilience. As employers call for job-ready talent and traditional education pathways fall short, leaders in Detroit are asking: What if we reimagined education and workforce development as a fully integrated, flexible, and deeply local system?Can a city build a future-ready workforce by meeting people where they are and by redefining what learning, support, and access look like?Dana Williams, the President and CEO at Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, Tiffany Graydon, the Director of Workforce Development and Education at Focus: HOPE, and Sandy Mead, the VP of Workforce Development at Skilltrade, join our host, Ron Stefanski, on this episode of DisruptED. Together, they explore Detroit’s radically collaborative approach to preparing residents for jobs in healthcare, skilled trades, and beyond, through hybrid training, social services, and systems built to include those often left behind.Key Highlights from the Episode:Training meets real life: Skilltrade’s hybrid model blends online learning with weekend clinical labs, letting Detroiters learn around work, family, and life, providing a blueprint for inclusive workforce transformation.From rebellion to resilience: Focus: HOPE, born out of the 1967 uprising, has evolved from food distribution into a major force in workforce training.Beyond jobs—toward justice: DESC’s Project Clean Slate clears criminal records, removing barriers and opening doors to meaningful employment.Dana L. Williams is a seasoned workforce development and human resources leader with expertise in strategic planning, employer engagement, and community relations. She currently serves as President and CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, where she leads citywide workforce initiatives focused on innovation, equity, and economic growth. Her career spans leadership roles in HR, public affairs, and corporate philanthropy, with a consistent focus on building partnerships that align business goals with community impact.Tiffany Graydon is an education and workforce development leader with deep expertise in program design, fiscal management, and strategic policy implementation. As Director at Focus: HOPE, she oversees operations that align workforce training with industry needs, while fostering cross-sector collaboration. Her career spans more than 15 years in advancing educational equity and technology integration to build sustainable career pathways in underserved communities.Sandy Mead is a veteran workforce development strategist specializing in aligning healthcare and IT training programs with labor market demand. As Vice President at Skilltrade, she leads national efforts to expand access to hybrid and online certification pathways that connect underserved populations to high-demand careers. Her career includes over 20 years of leadership roles focused on employer engagement, digital learning, and partnerships that enhance workforce readiness across the country.
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