Community Colleges Leading Economic Resilience - Future of Work Conference Panel Discussion Episode 158
Release Date: 11/18/2025
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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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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Transcript- Episode 154: Future-Proofing Global Trade: The Next Era of Ports with Mario Cordero, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach
The Future Of Work
Mario Cordero [00:00:00]: When we started this program at Jordan High School, the ACE program, a few years back, there were two brothers, twin brothers whose parents, immigrants from Mexico, attending Jordan High School. And because of the ACE program, they really got into the field of engineering. So we kind of ignited a field that they weren't really familiar with. Those two kids today are about to graduate in the engineering school of Cal State Long Beach. Christina Barsi [00:00:29]: The workforce landscape is rapidly changing, and educators and their institutions need to keep up. Preparing...
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Future-Proofing Global Trade: The Next Era of Ports with Mario Cordero, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach Episode 154
The Future Of Work
In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo speaks with Mario Cordero, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach and former Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission. Mario shares how the Port pairs competitiveness with sustainability, why the Green Port Policy still matters twenty years on, and what it will take to move toward continuous operations across the supply chain. From tariff uncertainty to zero emission goals and major rail investments, he connects policy choices to real impacts on prices, jobs, and the communities that live next to our gateways. You’ll...
info_outlineWe 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 Pasadena Women’s Business Center, and Kelly LoBianco - Director at Department of Economic Opportunity of Los Angeles County.
From personal stories of overcoming setbacks to practical strategies for supporting displaced workers and small business owners after recent wildfires, our panelists discuss the critical role of community colleges, innovative funding partnerships, and the importance of equity in recovery efforts.
Tune in as we unpack how local leaders are mobilizing for regional renewal, the challenges that persist—including barriers to sustainable funding—and what it means to build an equitable future of work, where lived experience and robust support systems truly matter.
You’ll learn:
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How emergency response and recovery efforts have shifted towards investing in physical infrastructure to human capital.
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Why preparing an effective and resilient future workforce means valuing a diverse range of skills, from formal education to skilled trades.
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How effective teamwork between educational institutions and local government balances the disparate needs of the community’s current workforce, students, businesses, and residents simultaneously.
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About the interwoven nature of community recovery and workforce readiness.
Watch the recording of the Future of Work Conference at PCC: here
Connect with us:
Visit pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development
Email: EWD@pasadena.edu
Facebook: @PCC EWD
LinkedIn: @PCCEWD
Find the transcript to this episode here
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