FutureMakers Talent Talk

A Decade of Impact: Reflecting on 10 Years of FutureMakers

Tessa Lesage — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:53:55 -0400

In this special episode of Talent Talk, we celebrate 10 years of FutureMakers Coalition—a regional movement dedicated to transforming education and workforce outcomes in Southwest Florida. Join us as we reflect on a decade of progress, partnerships, and lessons learned in the pursuit of a more skilled and resilient talent pipeline. In a fun twist, this episode turns the mic on our usual host! Dakota Pawlicki from CivicLab steps in to interview Tessa LeSage, offering a fresh perspective on the Coalition’s journey and the stories behind the scenes. From boosting postsecondary attainment to breaking down barriers for learners of all ages, hear from the voices who helped shape the Coalition’s journey. We’ll explore how the work has evolved, what it means to be a FutureMaker today, and where the movement is headed in the next ten years. Whether you’ve been a FutureMaker from the start or are just learning about the coalition, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Rethinking Recruitment: Building Smarter Talent Pipelines in Southwest Florida

Tessa Lesage — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:45:16 -0400

In this episode of Talent Talk, we sit down with Blanca Beauchamp, Human Resources leader at Conditioned Air, to explore how one of Southwest Florida’s top employers is transforming its approach to hiring and retention. Blanca shares how their partnership with FutureMakers Coalition helped Conditioned Air break down traditional hiring barriers, tap into nontraditional talent pools, and pilot innovative earn-and-learn models that are reshaping workforce development in the skilled trades. Tune in to hear how rethinking recruitment has improved both candidate quality and employee retention—and what other employers in the region can learn from their journey. Whether you're facing staffing shortages or looking to build a stronger talent pipeline, Blanca offers real-world insights and actionable steps you can take today.

Unlocking Talent with Unique Abilities — Expanding Opportunities and Building Stronger Career Pathways

Tessa Lesage — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:40:34 -0400

In this episode, we speak with Christian Zimmerman, a national leader in education and workforce development, about how individuals with unique abilities are redefining talent in today’s job market. Drawing on his experience at the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and his work on national postsecondary transition programs, Christian shares real stories and actionable strategies for educators, employers, and training providers. Discover why hiring people with diverse abilities is not only meaningful but also a smart move for any organization. Learn what sets Florida’s FPCTPs apart, how career and technical education programs are creating hands-on learning opportunities, and how every employer can help build a broader, more capable workforce. Whether you're just beginning to explore these ideas or are already supporting a more accessible workplace, Christian’s insights will offer practical guidance and fresh perspective.

The Future of Work: Resilience in Design, Construction, and Community

Tessa Lesage — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:21:44 -0400

In this episode of Talent Talk, we sit down with Jeff Carney, Director of the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) at the University of Florida, to explore how the concepts of resilience are reshaping careers in design, construction, and planning. From shifting skill sets and cross-disciplinary collaboration to the growing importance of community-engaged learning, Jeff shares insights on what the workforce of the future needs to thrive in an era of increasing environmental and social challenges. Whether you're a student, educator, or industry professional, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how we can build both stronger communities—and stronger career pathways—for the long term.

Second Chances and New Foundations: Paul’s Story

Tessa Lesage — Tue, 27 May 2025 15:33:30 -0400

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paul, a resilient entrepreneur and tradesman whose journey from addiction and incarceration to owning a growing plumbing and contracting business is nothing short of inspiring. Paul opens up about the struggles he faced, the turning point that changed everything, and how support from the Navigator program helped him rebuild—not just his career, but his life. From navigating reentry and family responsibilities to chasing big dreams and staying grounded, Paul shares what keeps him motivated and how he hopes his story inspires others who are searching for a second chance. If you’ve ever felt stuck or hopeless, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Weathering the Storm: Building Workforce Resilience and Community Empathy

Tessa Lesage — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:44:24 -0400

When disaster strikes, it doesn’t just impact buildings — it shakes the very foundation of our communities and workplaces. In this episode, we sit down with Chapman Insurance Group to explore how organizations can foster employee resilience and strengthen community empathy in the face of storms and crises. We’ll discuss practical strategies to prepare teams ahead of disasters, ways to support employees and employers through business disruptions and job losses, and how collaboration can rebuild a stronger, more connected workforce after the storm has passed. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about community recovery, this conversation offers critical insights on turning trials into transformative growth.

Workforce Development: Barriers to training don't have to prevent you from starting a great career

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:52:00 -0400

April Mesa and Africa Newby are Navigators within the FutureMakers Coalition. As Navigators, Mesa and Newby work with adults who want to gain new job skills and expand their career possibilities, assisting with everything from exploring options to completing degrees. On today’s episode of Talent Talk, we discuss the work of Navigators, the most common barriers they find people struggling with, and how they help individuals to overcome. We also share testimonies of the impactful work happening within this program.

Workforce Development: Building rural learning systems in Hendry County

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:52:00 -0400

Michael Swindle is the Superintendent of Hendry County Schools, a rural school district serving over 13,000 students. On this episode of Talent Talk, we discuss the areas Swindell is working to grow in Hendry County, namely early learning, graduation rates, transportation and housing. We discuss HCSD’s workforce development initiatives and ways the district helps students make informed decisions about their future careers by incorporating career exploration and guidance into the K-12 curriculum.

Student Voices: Reconnecting with education to achieve a dream

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:51:00 -0400

24-year-old Junson Francois is a first-generation Haitian American who was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Lee County. Junson, who worked with a FutureMakers Navigator to reconnect with education to get into the career of his dreams, is currently a probationary firefighter with North Fort Myers Fire Department. On this episode of Talent Talk we discuss Junson’s story, the challenges he faced growing up and what advice he has for others facing similar things, as well as what led him to begin serving as a firefighter.

Workforce Development: Giving second chancers an opportunity to succeed

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:51:00 -0400

Neil Volz is the Deputy Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC). On this episode of Talent Talk, we discuss the importance of helping individuals who have been previously incarcerated to find meaningful careers and to help educate employers on the benefits and practical implications of Second Chance hiring. Neil has more than 25 years of experience working as a public servant and community advocate. He recently helped lead the passage of Amendment 4, ending the lifetime ban on voting for people with past convictions in the state of Florida and restoring voting eligibility for 1.4 million people, representing the largest expansion of US democracy in a generation. Neil previously worked towards voter accessibility in Washington DC and has served in a variety of non-profit and entrepreneurial capacities.

Student Voices: Using second changes to help the next generation

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:51:00 -0400

William Stewart is the owner of Stewart & Sons Electric, an all-inclusive electrical contracting company. A Southwest Florida native, William graduated from the Tri-County Apprenticeship Program after being formerly incarcerated. He went on to start his own business and now serves as the third-year teacher at Tri-County, educating the next generation of electricians. On this episode of Talent Talk, we talk about what employers can do to create opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as what makes a great employee and lifelong learner. William is building a business and family legacy that will last for generations, and we discuss how other people who have faced similar challenges can do the same thing.

Workforce Development: Rural work and thoughts on why developing expertise in rural communities is important

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:51:00 -0400

Dakota Pawlicki is the Director of Talent Hubs with CivicLab. Talent Hubs are designated exemplars that stand out for their efforts to ensure that residents of all backgrounds receive education and training after high school. On this episode of Talent Talk, we discuss rural work, the importance of developing expertise in rural communities, and the future of Talent Hubs. In his role as Director, Dakota brings expertise in postsecondary education, collective impact, stakeholder engagement, and change management to a network of nearly 100 cross-sector partnerships, supporting their efforts to improve the human condition. He also hosts Lumina Foundation's podcast Today's Students, Tomorrow's Talent which features conversations with newsmakers and leaders in the field of learning after high school.

Workforce Development: Helping the future workforce reach their potential

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:40:00 -0400

Jamaree Jones and Quay Longs are co-founders of Strive Hall, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering under-resourced youth. On this episode of Talent Talk, Jamaree (President) and Quay (CEO) share about their work as it relates to building the local workforce. Recent graduates of FGCU’s Master of Entrepreneurship program and driven by a passion for transformative experiences, these leaders have created an opportunity for under-resourced youth to immerse themselves in university life for a full weekend, experiencing the excitement and value of college firsthand. Strive Hall exposes students to new opportunities and instills in them the belief that they can achieve their dreams, regardless of their background, thus strengthening the next generation of workers and leaders. Read more about it here: https://www.strivehall.org/

Workforce Development: Educating Future Developers

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:18:00 -0500

Joe Bonora is the founder and president of Catalyst Asset Management and Catalyst Community Capital, Inc. The nonprofit works to provide investment for small businesses and project development with a concentration on multifamily properties. This includes mentorship, coaching, and technical assistance for developers to operate independently. He explains how he acquired knowledge through his entrepreneurial upbringing as a self-learner, despite not receiving a formal education beyond high school. Joe also elaborates on educating more people of color to the development business. He emphasizes that people living within communities are more aware of their residents and neighbors than an outside developer. Joe dives into skill development for prospective job applicants. He explains how valuable earning a credential is in comparison to traditional college education.

Workforce Development: Scaling Talent

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:18:00 -0500

In this episode we hear from Dakota Pawlicki, the Director of Talent Hubs at Civic Lab. He was also our guest in Season 2. Dakota believes that the greatest change happens at the local and regional level. This is significant when it comes to systems change for students who are disadvantaged. He discusses the launch of Talent Hubs at Civic Lab as a way of expanding civic collaboration with support to regions and cross-sector partnerships. The Talent Hub designation continues to strengthen collective work that is focused on educational attainment beyond high school. Dakota also shares his perspective on the value of local collaboratives in producing community change. Dakota takes us through the adversity he faced growing up. He talks about his experience as a recipient of a caring network of individuals, which motivates his continued work today.

Workforce Development: Strengthening Rural Communities

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:11:00 -0500

Michael Swindle was our first guest in the first season of Talent Talk. He discusses his vision as the current Superintendent of Hendry County Schools with a workforce-oriented approach. Mike started his position during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented several unique challenges going forward. He shares the focus of closing the achievement gaps, building capacity, and creating sustainable efforts for educational attainment within Hendry County. This includes increasing third grade reading proficiency and working to increase graduation rates. It’s somewhat of a challenge working within a rural community with limited resources. He also shares progress from workforce initiatives to increase credentialed workers between the cities of LaBelle and Clewiston. Michael was previously a County Commissioner and Workforce Development Director for Hendry County Schools. This work involved initiating training programs to tackle the unemployment rates across the county. Looking ahead, he is shifting focus towards equity initiatives as a driving force to improving the education system.

Workforce Development: Translating Liberal Arts Education

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:34:00 -0500

Dr. Glenn Whitehouse is the Associate Dean of College of Arts & Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Director of the PAGES program. Glenn earned his Philosophy degree at the New College of Florida. He worked over the summer at a tech firm and completed a research report for the company to receive grant funding. He explains how his experience as a liberal arts student offered skills that translated into an entry level job. As Liberal Arts majors, students have many choices when it comes to choosing career pathways. The PAGES program at FGCU is designed to help students translate the skills they gain in their programs to start a career.

Adult learners: Stopping Out Is Not Dropping Out

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:26:00 -0500

In this episode of Talent Talk, we hear from Jason Powella on his experience as an adult learner that returned to the classroom after stopping out. Many students in his situation were only a few credits short of earning their credential but faced uncontrollable life circumstances. Jason is the Senior Special Event Planner for the Lee Health Foundation and a member of Southwest Florida’s Talent Hub Advisory Board. He has worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years and is working currently working in fundraising. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree through the FGCU Complete program, which caters to students who previously earned college credits. He takes us through the unique factors that adult learners face, how they compare to traditional students, and the benefit of maintaining communication with students who stop out. He also keys in on the different funding opportunities available to students instead of taking on debt.

Higher Education: Prioritizing Returning Students

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:23:00 -0500

Shasta College is a community college that serves the three counties of Shasta, Tehama, and Trinity in Northern California. In this episode of Talent Talk, Kate Mahar discusses the significant role the college has had on the surrounding rural community it serves. Kate is the Dean of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives and explains her role in scaling best practices for degree seeking students. As a Talent Hub, Shasta College provides a notable example of the benefits of long-standing efforts to better-serve adults learners. Kate explains the piloting of the ACE (Accelerated College Education) and Credit for Prior Learning as two programs in their shift in accommodating returning adult learners.

Workforce Development: Accelerating College Readiness

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Roberto Sanchez is the Director of Secondary Education in Hendry County Schools and serves a diverse school district. He was born in Mexico and immigrated with his family to the United States at the early age of two. Roberto grew up in Arcadia, FL and moved to Hendry County in 2005. He touches on how his father was the driving force in developing his work ethic and desire to gain an education as a pathway to a better life. He served as a teacher and principal during his tenure at Clewiston High School. Roberto talks about how many students in Hendry County come from a similar background as himself, which allows him to better-understand their circumstances. Roberto explains how Hendry County is working to equip students for college and career readiness. Many are first-generation students and need guidance as they work to enter the workforce. He discusses dual enrollment for students to earn an AA degree prior to graduating with the Collegiate Academy. This is a partnership with Florida South Western State College and provides students an opportunity to take college courses without leaving the classroom.

Workforce Development: Building Trust

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 02:57:00 -0500

Growing up in Immokalee, home to many agricultural workers and their families, presents many challenges as students juggle life outside of the classroom. Noemi Perez is the President & CEO of the Immokalee Foundation and speaks on these circumstances. She discusses her personal journey growing up within a hard-working community that is built on trust, which inspired her to continue this work. The Immokalee Foundation is celebrating 30 years of operation and works to guide students towards academic and career success within a community that is driven by agriculture. The town of Immokalee is in Collier County and approximately 35 miles from Naples, Florida. There is a sharp contrast between this rural town and its neighboring counterpart being one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. The Immokalee Foundation serves approximately 14,000 students per year with a concentration on students ranging from kindergarten to post-secondary attainment. Noemi explains the implementation of the Career Pathways initiative to provide at-risk students with exploration of their desired career field.

Student Voices: Prioritizing your needs

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:59:37 -0400

Our guest this episode is Carlos Mendez, a first-generation college student in his third year at Florida Gulf Coast University. Carlos is a full-time student majoring in Anthropology, but he is also working full-time as a Graphic Designer. He shares with us what it is like to work full-time while attending college as well as his experience with online school and why he enjoys it. Carlos also explains the importance of employment flexibility for people who are attending school and how that has played a significant role in his journey to completing a degree. Listen to this Talent Talk episode to hear his very valuable advice to people working in higher education on how to better support students who are working full time.

Workforce Development: It starts before Kindergarten

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:57:12 -0400

From New York to Florida, Susan Block has always known she has had a passion for early childhood education. Susan is our guest on this episode of Talent Talk, and she is the CEO of Early Learning Coalition here in Southwest Florida. She shares her work history and the journey that led her to her current position at the Early Learning Coalition. She explains what this organization is and goes into detail about quality childcare and what it entails. Susan also shares with us why early childhood education is important, as well as how it affects peoples’ involvement in the workforce and the impact of childcare on the economy. Finally, from providing personal protective equipment to staying in touch with childcare providers, Susan shares how the Early Learning Coalition has been impacted by COVID-19 and the current demands for childcare right now in our region.

Workforce Development: Career in a year

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:54:48 -0400

In this episode of Talent Talk we hear all about career and technical education from Yolanda Flores. Yolanda currently works at Lorenzo Walker Technical College as the Administrative Director. She explains to us what exactly technical colleges are and the benefits they have for students in the Southwest Florida community, and why it is important for students to pursue a career in the technical pathways. Yolanda also shares with us some of the most popular programs at Lorenzo Walker, both in and out of the health science field. Although technical colleges do offer a variety of opportunities and benefits for students, some of them are facing challenges, and Yolanda tells us how we can help. Listen to this podcast to find out more about some of the fields that are in high demand in the Southwest Florida region, and how stacking credentials is economically advantageous.

Higher Education: Being a student ally

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:50:37 -0400

Our guest this episode is Jenna Rytlewski, a student success advisor at Florida Southwestern State College. Jenna tells us all about FSW and some of the programs this regionally accredited institution is currently offering. She also shares with us the journey that led her to her current career, and what her job at FSW entails, including how she helps students meet their goals and is dedicated to being a student ally. Jenna also tells us some of the most common barriers students face that her and other advisors are more than willing to help them with, and some of her recommendations for how to overcome these barriers. Listen to this episode to hear Jenna’s advice to people who haven’t been able to complete their degrees and are looking for a secure future!

Higher Education: Finish what you started

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:47:48 -0400

In this episode of Talent Talk we hear from Whitney Rhyne, the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Florida Southwestern State College. Whitney begins by telling us about FSW and the diverse and unique student population they serve in Southwest Florida’s five-county region, ranging from students who just graduated high school and full-time professionals looking to attend night classes to further their career, to military veterans. Whitney also goes into detail about the newly developed Second Look Initiative, a program aiming to connect with students who were previously enrolled at FSW who were unable to complete their degrees, and what the process is like to start a program like the Second Look Initiative. Additionally, she explains the process for a student who previously attended FSW who was unable to complete their degree to inquire about their standing with the college and actively seeking to complete their degree and/or graduate.

Student Voices: Finding Inspiration

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:42:36 -0400

In recent years, the student population has become much more diverse in terms of race, socioeconomic status, and age, meaning that the term “traditional student” no longer applies to the majority of the student population. Adrian Surratt is one member of the student population that has led to the diversification of this group. He is an adult learner who will soon be attending Florida Gulf Coast University after his recent completion of his Associate’s Degree at Florida South Western State College! Adrian shares with us his educational journey, including why he became a stop-out student in the first place, what pushed him to go back to school to complete his degrees, and what his goals are. He also explains what it is like to attend school during a pandemic while juggling the responsibilities of raising two kids and taking care of his family.

Workforce Development: Bold Goals

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:38:00 -0400

Building a skilled workforce has been an important focus for not only FutureMakers Coalition, but businesses and organizations across the country, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Talented workforce is just one of the topics our guest Dakota Pawlicki discusses in this episode of Talent Talk. Dakota was the Strategy Officer for Community Mobilization at Lumina Foundation at the time of this recording, another important organization in analyzing talent attraction. Currently, he is the Talent Hub Director at CivicLab. He shared with us Lumina’s philanthropic strategy behind assigning Talent Hub designations, which are communities across the nation that are exemplars for significantly increasing the percentage of residents with an education beyond high school. He also explained Lumina Foundation’s goal of having 60% of Americans having an education beyond high school and people’s reaction to this bold, time-bound goal. Lastly, he talks passionately about the important role community-level work plays in Lumina Foundation achieving this goal.

Workforce Development: Building upon skills

Tessa Lesage — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:18:00 -0400

Mike Boose is the Senior Director of Human Resources and Organization Development at Arthrex, a company based in Naples, Florida. In this Talent Talk episode, Mike shares his professional background in manufacturing and leadership, leading him to his career in Human Resources at Arthrex. He also explains what Arthrex is, the work they do, and how manufacturing relates to healthcare, specifically medical device manufacturing. Mike shares the difficulty this company has had finding people with the proper qualifications and skills needed to work for them and some of the solutions they have implemented. Despite the pandemic, Arthrex is still looking for new employees. He explains some of the possible credentials and qualifications that employers working for this company are looking for in their employees, along with the benefits he believes a career in manufacturing could have for residents of Southwest Florida.

Student Voices: Finishing what you started

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 13:32:00 -0500

Around 20% of the working-age adults in Southwest Florida who do not have a credential beyond a high school diploma started college but did not complete their degree. Many of these students stop-out of college because of financial barriers or other responsibilities that prohibit them from dedicating the necessary time to school to be successful. One of these adults is Megan Overmyer, an adult learner at Florida Gulf Coast University. This past summer, Megan was able to return to FGCU and join FGCU Complete. Megan tells us about her academic journey, and how she is the first person in her family to attend college. While talking with Megan we quickly learned of her courage and strength, being a mother of four who is recently widowed, working full-time while being a student. In this session she explains how FGCU Complete made it feasible for her to return to school after 20 years to complete her degree. Megan also explains the process of acquiring financial aid as an adult learner; she gives very beneficial advice to adults who are looking to go back to school and complete a degree but are wary of the process because of the financial strain.

Adult learners: Adapting for success

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 13:30:00 -0500

In this episode of the FutureMakers Coalition Talent Talk we hear from Kristen Vanselow, the Director of Operations for FGCU Complete. Kristen describes what the FGCU Complete program is and their goal of welcoming back adult-learners, removing barriers to degree completion, being more inclusive for this student population, and personalizing the experience for adult-learners. She discusses the difference between student groups and the different challenges they face depending on life experience. Kristen also shares with us FGCU’s definition of “stop-out students” and this university’s dedication to welcoming these students back and doing everything they can to create an environment in which they can thrive and finish what they started.

Student Voices: Finding your passion

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 13:24:00 -0500

Meet Paul Volperian, an adult learner at Florida Gulf Coast University. After many years of dedication and hard work, Paul will be graduating in the fall with a degree in Integrated Studies and a minor in Education! In this episode of the FutureMakers Coalition Talent Talk, he shares his educational journey, the barriers that prohibited him from finishing his degree his first time at FGCU, and what motivated him to go back. He also tells us the benefits of FGCU Complete for him and adult-learners alike, but also gives his advice to institutions of higher education on how to address aspects of the college experience to better cater to adult-learners and make them feel more included. Finally, Paul shared valuable advice for anyone thinking about going back to school, but is hesitant because of their first experience, and advice for high school students and parents of high school students on their journey into higher education.

Chambers of Commerce: Business as un-usual

Tessa Lesage — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 10:41:00 -0500

Southwest Florida has seen sustainable growth and measurable impact in recent years despite barriers pertaining to the environment, equality, and COVID-19. In this session, Colleen DePasquale tells us about The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, of which she is the President and CEO, and how it is addressing these problems and working to make the region a better place. She discusses with us new work The Chamber is doing in response to community and member needs, including an Equity Committee’s focus on the issue of implicit bias and discrimination to make a long-term impact in our region. She discusses her desire to diversify The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce and empower members of the community to learn about ways to make local, positive change. Colleen also shares why she partners with the FutureMakers Coalition, as well as valuable information she knows about the local workforce and current workforce needs.

Student Voices: When life happens

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 09:13:00 -0500

In this episode of the FutureMakers Coalition Talent Talk we hear from Alissa Perry, an adult learner at Florida Gulf Coast University. Alissa describes her journey as a part-time student at a community college, while simultaneously juggling the responsibilities of being a single parent, taking care of her ill mother, and struggling with a disability. She also tells us about her experience as an adult learner and her participation in FGCU Complete, a program that offers students with previously earned college credit the opportunity to earn their bachelor's degree, and the benefits of the program for adult-learners. Alissa has some really great tips for anyone thinking of returning to school, and valuable information for those looking to design programs catered to returning adults and creating an environment to help them thrive.

Workplaces: Equity and cultural competence

Tessa Lesage — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:32:00 -0500

Our guest this episode is Dr. Nicole King-Smith, a certified culture consultant who works with organizations in the private and public sectors on ways to improve equity and cultural competence on internal and external fronts. Dr. King-Smith shares her passion for generational change and the qualities we are seeing in our region’s future skilled workers, and how organizations must establish inclusivity practices now to accommodate for the incoming workforce. She also addresses the adaptations the workforce has made in the face of COVID-19, particularly the hospitality and tourism industry, and gives her advice to workers in these businesses who have been affected by the pandemic. Dr. King-Smith elaborates extensively on her Equity work, including her role on the FutureMakers Equity Action Team, her perspectives on racial and ethnic disparities in her field, and finally, tips and guidance for organizations looking to implement equity practices.

Higher Education: Shifting the way we do business

Tessa Lesage — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:22:00 -0500

In this episode of the FutureMakers Coalition Talent Talk we chat with the president of Hodges University, Dr. John Meyer. John shared his postsecondary experience as an adult learner and how it has helped him in his current position and allowed him to support his students. He also shares common barriers adults face that prohibit them from getting a higher education, and how the education system should take them into consideration and design programs to help priority populations complete their degrees. Dr. Meyer expresses the need for collaboration between employers and colleges and universities and gives advice to small businesses who are having difficulties growing their business and finding skilled and qualified workers. He also tells us how he, as the president of a University, is helping his students thrive amid a pandemic and economic crisis, and some things he believes need to change in our education system and workforce to assist people in Southwest Florida get jobs and make a livable wage.

Workforce Development: Rural communities

Tessa Lesage — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:20:00 -0500

Rural communities face many economic barriers and there are many challenges to finding solutions to address poverty, both of which have been heightened since the onset of COVID-19. At the time of recording, Mike Swindle was Hendry County Commissioner and Director of Workforce Development for Hendry County Schools. He has since been elected to Superintendent of Hendry County District School. Mike explains to us how COVID-19 affected the challenges Hendry County was facing before the onset of the pandemic, and the new challenges it has created for the community. He shares valuable information about what it takes to help students and other individuals defeat generational poverty and shared some of the successful outcomes of his program. He also expressed the need for change in how adult-learners are reached and encouraged to finish their degrees and provides us with some examples used by his program and the benefits they have seen. Mike explained what it is like to finish a certification program with Workforce Development for Hendry County and the ease of connecting students to jobs right after completion due to the high workforce demands. He shares the benefits his program has experienced through collaboration with other organizations, while also expressing the challenges rural communities face when trying to collaborate and how external entities can help minimize these challenges and support rural communities.

Talent Talk

Tessa Lesage — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 09:48:00 -0500

Conversations that dive deep into the ever-changing world of talent and economic development from the perspectives of those designing, working in, and experiencing these systems. Given the economic impacts of COVID-19, changing perspectives on the value of a college education, and the way and speed at which work is evolving, there is no shortage of perspectives to explore.