Libsyn Directory

Unlocking Community Power: How Women’s Business Centers Create Thriving Entrepreneurs with Nancy Swift, Executive Director at JEDI & CA WBC Network Chair Episode 127

The Future Of Work

Release Date: 09/03/2024

Transcript - Revolutionizing Higher Education for Working Learners in a Rapidly Evolving World with Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation Episode 159

The Future Of Work

Eloy Ortiz Oakley [00:00:00]: Far too often, we assume as educators what they need instead of actually asking them, the employers and folks in the community, what they need. So we need to do all of those things, and we need to do it in a way that is as intentional as the way that we have been designing our curriculum for the last five decades. We have to have the same intentionality around designing curriculum in the multiple other ways that we now know work and work well for working learners. Christina Barsi [00:00:34]: The workforce landscape is rapidly changing, and educators and...

Revolutionizing Higher Education for Working Learners in a Rapidly Evolving World with Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation Episode 159

The Future Of Work

The demographic of students in California is changing and education must change with it. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo is joined by Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, to unpack the challenges facing a massive and underrepresented sector of today’s learners—students primarily over the age of 25 who are working at the same time as attending school. They cover the impact of outdated educational models, the rapid pace of technological change, and the urgent need for flexibility and employer partnerships. Tune in for a forward-thinking discussion on disrupting...

Transcript -Community Colleges Leading Economic Resilience - Future of Work Conference Panel Discussion Episode 158

The Future Of Work

Tony Cordova [00:00:00]: All roads lead to workforce. Everything that we do really is intended to be able to provide an opportunity for our students, our community members, our adult learners, whatever that is, they're learners, to be able to provide them an opportunity to get into these careers. And I say careers because it's more than just a job. I mean, we can get a job anywhere. We could go to McDonald's and have a job, but it's not that sustainable career that's going to be able to provide benefits, security, food on the table for our family and put us into that. So that's one of the core...

Community Colleges Leading Economic Resilience - Future of Work Conference Panel Discussion Episode 158

The Future Of Work

We dive into a dynamic panel captured at the 7th annual Future of Work Conference 2025, presented by Pasadena City College. Leaders from education, workforce development, and local government shared invaluable insights on building resilience, navigating recovery, and creating pathways to sustainable careers. Moderated by Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations - the panel featured insights from Tony Cordova - Vice Chancellor of Workforce & Equity Development of California, Monica Banken - Policy Deputy at the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Lizzy Okoro Davidson - Director of the...

Transcript- Episode 157: From Crisis Response to Workforce Readiness: Lessons in Regional Renewal from the Future of Work Conference with Mayor Victor Gordo

The Future Of Work

Victor Gordo [00:00:00]: Our ultimate goal is to prepare people for the workforce of the future. And the workforce of the future is mixed. It's not just, you know, formal degrees in education. It's like I said, it's people who can work with their hands, who can be a part of the construction industry, the landscaping, you name it. Christina Barsi [00:00:24]: The workforce landscape is rapidly changing, and educators and their institutions need to keep up. Preparing students before they enter the workforce to make our communities and businesses stronger is at the core of getting an education....

From Crisis Response to Workforce Readiness: Lessons in Regional Renewal from the Future of Work Conference with Mayor Victor Gordo Episode 157

The Future Of Work

After the LA fires, how do we move past emergency response and into building sustainable crisis prepared communities who know how to bounce back? At our 7th annual Future of Work Conference, PCC led the conversation with local community leaders and experts on rebuilding after an unprecedented disaster. In this special excerpt from the conference, Dr. Salavtrice Cummo, discusses firsthand insights about building resilience and fostering renewal with Victor Gordo, Mayor of Pasadena. Tune in for an honest look at how thoughtful collaboration, listening to community needs, and investing in people...

Transcript- Episode 156: Building Resilient Communities: Insights Into The Upcoming Future of Work Conference with Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Leslie Thompson

The Future Of Work

Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:00]: When we remove these barriers and we have our systems start speaking to each other a little bit better, we naturally build our communities a little stronger. They become more adaptable and in the long run, more equitable access to the resources and the programming that we have across all agencies, across all systems. Christina Barsi [00:00:25]: The workforce landscape is rapidly changing, and educators and their institutions need to keep up. Preparing students before they enter the workforce to make our communities and businesses stronger is at the core of getting...

Building Resilient Communities: Insights Into The Upcoming Future of Work Conference with Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Leslie Thompson Episode 156

The Future Of Work

With the LA fires so prominent in recent memory, one question looms large: how can communities move beyond immediate recovery to create long-term systems that withstand future shocks? Today Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at PCC, and Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations, sit down to open a conversation on building a framework of resiliency and collaboration that will sustain the community for years to come. With the seventh annual conference on the horizon, the conversation dives deep into this year’s critical theme: rebuilding and resiliency in...

Transcript- Episode 155: Rebuilding Community After Disaster: What It Means To Create Solutions Rooted In Equity with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center at PCC

The Future Of Work

Lizzy Okoro Davidson [00:00:00]: I think that by actually going to this conference, learning about the strategies, learning about this, hearing the stories, seeing the support that you can get, finding, you know, community within the attendees at this conference, it's so, so important. And then you can come and learn about the Women's Business center and learn about how you can really just very quickly, very easily sign up to become the client and become a part of this ecosystem. Christina Barsi [00:00:29]: The workforce landscape is rapidly changing and educators and their institutions need...

Rebuilding Community After Disaster: What It Means To Create Solutions Rooted In Equity with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center at PCC Episode 155

The Future Of Work

In anticipation of the 7th Annual to be held on October 28th 2025, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo brings back Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women’s Business Center at PCC and panel speaker, to touch on all the progress made by the center since opening its doors last year. Lizzy shares how the Women’s Business Center, with the full support of Pasadena City College, pivoted swiftly from fostering entrepreneurship to acting as a vital hub for recovery, connection, and hope for women and small business owners in the wake of the LA fires. Tune in for this sneak peek into the upcoming...

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How do we dismantle the entrenched systemic barriers that hold back so many in the business world? The answer lies in access to capital, information, and networking. Nancy Swift, Executive Director at JEDI, points out that women, in particular, encounter systemic challenges, like unequal access to funding and exclusion from critical networks, making it harder to succeed in business. This is where Women's Business Centers and support systems step in, offering tailored programs that provide essential resources, guidance, and training. These initiatives empower women entrepreneurs, giving them the tools they need to overcome challenges and thrive in the business world.

You’ll learn:

How Women's Business Centers help support emerging entrepreneurs.
Why collaboration among support systems is important for enhancing services.
How women entrepreneurs found innovative solutions in the wake of pandemic challenges.

About the Guest:

Nancy Swift has dedicated her 35-year career to championing economic justice for women, emphasizing the profound impact that economic opportunities for women have on families and communities at large. As the Executive Director and a Founding member of the Jefferson Economic Development Institute (JEDI), she spearheads initiatives to support female entrepreneurs.

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