Speakers

Robert Cherry As a trusted workforce development and public policy executive with extensive experience providing professional leadership and direction, Robert Cherry is committed to a thriving workforce. He is an active champion for businesses and job seekers, implementing programs, policy initiatives, and community engagement. Since April 2020, Robert has managed six bureaus that include the Division of Administration, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Unemployment Insurance, Division of Employment and Training, Division of Equal Rights, and Division of Workers Compensation as the Appointed Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Robert has led 2,500 employees across multiple agencies and the Veterans Chamber of Commerce for a Vets Ready initiative, an employer recognition program highlighting employers committed to the veteran workforce. He also spearheaded a complex program that provided additional unemployment insurance dollars into the hands of out-of-work Wisconsinites.

As CEO, he continues Partner4Work’s strong momentum to drive workforce development activities, a vital component of the region’s overall economic vitality. Robert will build successful partnerships, innovate new ideas, and pilot strategic solutions that will continue growth and connect the workforce with the jobs of today and in the future. Robert received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is an elected Board Trustee of the Village of Brown Deer and is responsible for developing and approving its mission, strategic goals and establishing policies related to programs and services.

John Colborn is the Executive Director of Apprenticeships for America, a membership and advocacy organization working to expand apprenticeship in the United States. He has served as an employer sponsor and developer of apprenticeship programs in information technology, manufacturing, healthcare, and social services. John has amassed over 30 years of experience with community-based and national nonprofits, including serving as an education, workforce, and human services practitioner, Director of the Aspen Institute Skills for America’s Future program, Vice President Operations at the Ford Foundation, and program manager at the Philadelphia-based Reinvestment Fund. Colborn holds a BA from Oberlin College and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Earl Buford As the president of CAEL, Earl oversees the national nonprofit organization’s work to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth for adult learners in collaboration with workforce and economic developers, post-secondary educators, employers, industry groups, foundations, and other mission-aligned groups. Before CAEL, Buford was the Chief Executive Officer of Partner4Work, the leader of the public workforce system for Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, as well as Employ Milwaukee, where he was nationally recognized for implementing and integrating a sector-based approach to workforce development. Buford was also the leader of one of the first intermediaries in the country, WRTP/BIG-STEP.

Buford is an active board member with several organizations, including the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Apprenticeships for America, Alliance for Adult Education, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Catalyst Connection (a manufacturing extension partnership), Bridgeway Capital, Cleveland Federal Reserve (Pittsburgh Chapter), and Strada Education Network’s National Strategic Advisory Group focused on identifying opportunities to improve the benefits of education and training after high school. He is a former member of Vice President Joe Biden’s Task Force on Effective Workforce Strategies, the National Network of Sector Partners, the Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Minority Unemployment, and the National Skills Coalition Advisory Board, among many others. Buford graduated from the University of Wisconsin, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History.