Shaping the Future of Workforce Development Leadership

WHO WE ARE

The Workforce Leadership Institute is dedicated to advancing professional and strategic leadership in workforce development. Through research, collaboration, and skill-building, we empower leaders and organizations to create resilient workforce systems that meet the evolving needs of businesses and communities. By fostering a deeper understanding of skill development, policy, and labor market trends, we equip professionals with the tools they need to drive meaningful change at the state and local levels.

WHAT WE DO

  • We provide high-impact training, leadership development, and professional networking opportunities tailored for workforce professionals navigating complex labor market challenges.

  • Our programs focus on in-depth research, study, and understanding of the policies, funding mechanisms, and economic forces shaping workforce development. Through comprehensive analysis and exploration, we equip leaders and organizations with the knowledge and insights needed to influence policy decisions and drive systemic change effectively.

    The staff and Board of the WLI have decades of experiencing influencing and analyzing Federal and state legislation and regulation.

  • From skill development to data-driven decision-making, we help organizations design and implement strategies that create adaptive and sustainable workforce solutions.

  • Collaboration is key. We foster connections between public agencies, private businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to drive innovation and shared success in workforce development.

EVENTS

NC SESSIONNew Cohort coming Fall 2025

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC

This course is co-presented through North Carolina State University and the Workforce Leadership Institute. Our mission is to deepen the understanding of skill development processes, governance and the leaders work in the creation of resilient workforce systems. 

Meet the Instructors

Ron Painter, Principal – Forbes Field Associates, llc (western PA)

Melanie Anderson, Senior Associate – Forbes Field Associates, llc (Washington DC)

Dr. Sherre Utash, President – WSU-Tech (Wichita, KS)

John Stanford, Managing Partner – Prism Group (Washington DC/Charlotte NC)

Annie Izod, PhD, Executive Director – NCWorks Commission

Jake Segal, Managing Director – Social Finance (San Francisco)

Erica Dickinson, Director of Customer Success – Lightcast (Moscow, ID)

Thomas White, Director/Economic Development Partnerships – NC State University (Raleigh (NC)

Charlie Terrell, Strategy Manager/Public Sector – Accenture (Arlington, VA)

Deborah Giordano, Founder – Giordano Consulting

Jonathan Guarine, NC Dept of Commerce (labor market analyst)

Pat Sturdivant, Capital Area Workforce Development

Vince Ginski, NC Chamber of

CONTACT US

Have questions or want to learn more about how the Workforce Leadership Institute can support your workforce development initiatives? Whether you're interested in our leadership programs, collaboration opportunities, or upcoming events, we’d love to connect. Reach out to us today and let’s build a stronger, more resilient workforce together.