SkillUp America with Kerry Twomey

E17: SkillupAmerica Summit Preview: with Bianca Cervantes and Max Schelkopf

To learn more about the SkillUpAmerca Summit, visit: https://www.skillupamerica.org/

E16: SkillupAmerica Summit Preview: With Tirza Barnes

To learn more about the SkillUpAmerca Summit, visit: https://www.skillupamerica.org/

E15: Wraparound Support in Action: Empowering Justice-Impacted Communities

In this episode, John Benson, Director of Operations for the South Dallas Employment Project, shares the story behind his journey from government contracting to leading one of Texas's most impactful workforce initiatives. He discusses the importance of wraparound services—such as ID recovery, transportation, and housing—in helping individuals overcome employment barriers, particularly those who are justice-impacted. John also highlights the project's collaboration with partners like TXU and the Texas Workforce Commission, and how tools like Metrix Learning are supporting skill development. Listeners will hear how a holistic, community-centered approach is helping people not only find jobs but build sustainable futures. Meet our guest John Benson! https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-benson-66051413b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-benson-66051413b/] Learn about Redemption Bridge https://www.redemptionbridge.org/ [https://www.redemptionbridge.org/] and it's CEO and Founder Wes Jurey https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-jurey-89a22922b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-jurey-89a22922b/] Learn more about the South Dallas Employment Project https://www.southdallasemploymentproject.org/ [https://www.southdallasemploymentproject.org/]

E14: Centering People, Shaping Policy: With Therese Daly, President & CEO, United Way of New York State & 2‑1‑1 New York

In this episode of SkillUp America, we sit down with Therese Daly, President and CEO of United Way of New York State and 2-1-1 New York, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, equity, and workforce resilience. Therese shares her unexpected leadership journey, the lessons she learned stepping into critical roles during times of crisis, and how data can drive smarter, more human-centered policy decisions. From supporting aging workers to improving childcare access, Therese offers insight into what it really takes to build systems that serve people first. Links: * Learn more about our guest Therese Daly: https://uwnys.org/about-therese/ [https://uwnys.org/about-therese/] and https://www.linkedin.com/in/therese-daly-2553051a6/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therese-daly-2553051a6/] * Find out more about the United Way of New York State and 211 New York: https://uwnys.org/ [https://uwnys.org/] * Get familiar with ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and read the 2025 ALICE NY Report: https://uwnys.org/alice/ [https://uwnys.org/alice/] * Check out NYATEP's advocacy work: https://www.nyatep.org/NYATEP_Advocacy [https://www.nyatep.org/NYATEP_Advocacy] * Download national workforce development advocacy resources to use when advocating: * National Association of Workforce Development Professionals https://www.nawdp.org/page/AdvocacyToolkit [https://www.nawdp.org/page/AdvocacyToolkit] * National Association of Workforce Boards https://www.nawb.org/advocacy-policy/advocacy-tools/ [https://www.nawb.org/advocacy-policy/advocacy-tools/] * Read about the importance of skills training from the National Skills Coalition: https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NSC_EmpiricalCaseforSkills_May2025.pdf [https://nationalskillscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NSC_EmpiricalCaseforSkills_May2025.pdf] * Learn about New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/andrea-stewart-cousins/about [https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/andrea-stewart-cousins/about]

E13: Adapting Career Services for a Changing Workforce: Lessons from Anne Arundel County

Tune in as Mike Fazio, Co-President of Workforce180 and Metrix Learning, interviews Denise Bourdeaux, Director of Career Services at the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) in Maryland. Denise shares her journey from teaching to workforce development, discussing the challenges of dealing with parents as an educator and her transition to helping service members enter the civilian workforce. The conversation delves into the biases employers may have towards veterans, the importance of soft skills, and the role of AAWDC in connecting job seekers with employment opportunities.