Powering the Future: Rebuilding Resilient Workforces for Tomorrow with Tracey Pierce, Chief People Officer at LADWP Episode 151
Release Date: 08/19/2025
TRANSCRIPT - Sustaining the Rebuild: PCC’s Continuing Commitment to Community Recovery Episode 164
The Future Of Work
Leslie Thompson [00:00:00]: PCC is committed to maintaining its role as a resource hub. Having people having gone through these pathways that are going to be ready to get in there and do the actual work that needs to be done. And it's not just swinging hammers. There's a lot of work to be done in different capacities. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:17]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast. And we are starting the conversation about the future of work. We'll explore topics like how education can...
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Sustaining the Rebuild: PCC’s Continuing Commitment to Community Recovery Episode 164
The Future Of Work
What does it actually take to create a sustainable and equitable recovery plan after a disaster? In this episode, host Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and co-host, Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at Economic and Workforce Development at PCC, dive into the real, hands-on ways Pasadena City College is leading the region’s recovery and preparing the workforce for what’s next. In their conversation, they pull back the curtain on how PCC rapidly launched solutions after the Altadena fires—organizing immediate...
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TRANSCRIPT - The Nation’s First Goods Movement Training Campus at Port of Los Angeles with Gene Seroka, Executive Director of Port of L.A Episode 163
The Future Of Work
Gene Seroka [00:00:00]: We also have an MOU, a Memorandum of Understanding, which is an agreement to work together between the California Community Colleges and the Port of Los Angeles to help build curriculum, to help guide education for certification and training. Those who can build syllabus and classwork as a profession can bring that here to the port so we can work on these various training modules and career progressions for our workforce. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:31]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of...
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The Nation’s First Goods Movement Training Campus at Port of Los Angeles with Gene Seroka, Executive Director of Port of L.A Episode 163
The Future Of Work
We are diving into the evolving landscape of the Goods Movement with Gene Seroka, Director of the Port of Los Angeles. Our host, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo and Gene Seroka have a candid conversation about the challenges and innovations shaping the goods movement sector and how turbulent changes in trade policy, tariffs, and technology are impacting supply chain management. They also discuss the importance of steady leadership and long-term investment in careers and future-forward problem solving. Gene Seroka shares insights on launching the Port Optimizer—a groundbreaking digital platform that’s...
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Transcript -Breaking Barriers: Reimagining Career Pathways for the Next Generation with Jesse Diaz Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America Episode 162
The Future Of Work
Jesse Diaz [00:00:00]: I believe these pathways are vital because they can collapse right the distance between learning and earning, allowing people to start working toward a career and income at the same time, which is crucial in this current economic climate. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:14]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast. And we are starting the conversation about the Future of Work. We'll explore topics like how education can partner with industry, how to be more equitable, and how to...
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Breaking Barriers: Reimagining Career Pathways for the Next Generation with Jesse Diaz Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America Episode 162
The Future Of Work
For many students, alternative career pathways are the key to unlocking systemic barriers and breaking through rigid environments that keep economic mobility out of reach. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Jesse Diaz, the Director of Market Development Los Angeles at Propel America to unpack how to build more equitable career opportunities. As a first-generation Latino college graduate and lifelong educator, Jesse brings a powerful personal journey—growing up in Boyle Heights and navigating nontraditional pathways from athletics to nonprofit leadership. Together, they dive into the challenges...
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Transcript - Breaking New Ground in Kern County: Shaping Careers and Community with Chris Kelley President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon Episode 161
The Future Of Work
Chris Kelley [00:00:00]: The tribe has been a very critical part of the design of Hard Rock Tejon from the earliest of days. And so what it looks like and what it feels like, they have been directly involved in. And so from the moment that you walk through the doors, you really see and feel that. But they're also team members. You know, Hard Rock Tejon tribal members are a part of that workforce today and will be every day going forward. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:27]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, vice president of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this...
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Breaking New Ground in Kern County: Shaping Careers and Community with Chris Kelley President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon Episode 161
The Future Of Work
What does it take to introduce a brand new industry to a community? That is the challenge Chris Kelley, President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, is tackling in opening the Hard Rock Casino Tejon in Kern County. With more than 20 years of experience in gaming and hospitality, Chris shares inspiring insights on Hard Rock’s partnership with the Tejon tribe, the creation of thousands of jobs, and the impact of introducing an entirely new industry to a region traditionally dominated by agriculture and energy. From discussing amplified guest service and meaningful community relationships, to revealing...
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Transcript - Building the Future of LA Transit with Ali Mir, West Regional Planning Lead, Senior Vice President Episode 160
The Future Of Work
Ali Mir [00:00:00]: Our communities are well versed in what they need. So how do we allow our communities and how do we empower our communities to be front and center in developing the solutions to the problems that they know that they have. And a huge part of that is workforce development and a pipeline of talent from the very communities that are in need of planning solutions, design solutions, engineering solutions. Salvatrice Cummo [00:00:27]: Hi, I'm Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at Pasadena City College and host of this podcast. And we are...
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Building the Future of LA Transit with Ali Mir, West Regional Planning Lead, Senior Vice President Episode 160
The Future Of Work
What does it really take to transform the way Los Angeles moves—and who gets to design the future of our city’s transit? In this episode of The Future Of Work podcast, host Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Ali Mir, Senior Vice President and West Regional Planning Lead (WSP) and a leader in regional planning, to uncover the stories and strategies behind LA’s public transit evolution. From his own transformative experience as a student riding every mode on the LA Metro—and realizing just how diverse and essential ridership is—to incorporating solution-based innovation related...
info_outlineIn this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Tracey Pierce, Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), to discuss the transformative work happening within one of the largest municipal utilities in the U.S. Tracey takes us behind the scenes on how LADWP is navigating change, innovation, and workforce development during a time of rebuilding for the city. From adapting to climate challenges to harnessing new technologies like AI, Tracey shares the strategies that are helping LADWP build a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready workforce.
You’ll learn:
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How LADWP is preparing for the future through workforce training and development
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The role of AI and automation in transforming the water and power sectors
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How disaster recovery and emergency preparedness are integrated into workforce strategies
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Why LADWP prioritizes community involvement and values its civil service employees
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The importance of partnerships with community colleges in developing a workforce ready for tomorrow's challenges
About the Guest:
Tracey Pierce is the Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal utility in the U.S. She joined LADWP in August 2024, after serving as Senior VP of Learning & Development at CommonSpirit Health. With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources across healthcare, solar energy, semiconductors, and publishing, Tracey has led large-scale transformations, talent development, mergers, and crisis management initiatives. She oversees all HR functions at LADWP, focusing on workforce innovation, strategy, and union relations. Originally from England, she holds an MBA in International Relations and Marketing, a Master of Public Administration, and is a seasoned executive coach.
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More from Tracey Pierce & Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
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Website: https://www.ladwp.com/
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Find the transcript of this episode here
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