Speakers
Opening Session: Lehigh Valley ALIGNED!
Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 8:30am-9:30am
Nancy Dischinat, Executive Director of the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, presents a panel showcasing Lehigh Valley’s alignment of economic development, workforce development, education, community planning, government and business.
Nancy Dischinat
Workforce Board Lehigh Valley
Donald Cunningham Jr.
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Becky Bradley
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
Dr. Carol D. Birks
Allentown School District
Tony Iannelli
Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
Lamont G. McClure
Northampton County Executive
Phillips M. Armstrong
Lehigh County Executive
ALICE... Meet Workforce Development
Phil Falvo
Director of Public Policy,
United Way of Pennsylvania
Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 12:30pm-1:30pm
“Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” – Did you know that 41% of working Pennsylvania Households earn less than the ALICE and Federal Poverty Level (FPL) thresholds? What is ALICE and how does it relate to your workforce development plans, priorities, and needs? Learn the latest information about Pennsylvania’s workers who struggle to financially survive, discuss opportunities for workers to improve their livelihood (increase their employment success!), and explore how the United Way of PA and PWDA are working together to support local efforts.
Philip Falvo is an experienced public policy professional with over eleven years of state government experience. Prior to joining United Way of Pennsylvania, Phil served as Democratic Executive Director of the Gaming Oversight committee in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Before that, he was the Democratic Executive Director of the House Children & Youth committee.
During his tenure with the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Phil worked on a variety of policy areas, however, his primary focus was on health, human services and insurance. Phil earned Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Susquehanna University and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University. A strong advocate of public service, Phil previously served on the Upper Allen Township Zoning Hearing Board. On June 29, 2023, Phil was appointed to the Children’s Trust Fund Board by Governor Josh Shapiro and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate.
Legislative Watch: The Latest on WIOA, TANF, Pennsylvania Initiatives, and more!
Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 8:30am-9:30am
Hear up-to-date information on U.S. Congressional discussions impacting workforce development and related education and training initiatives, including WIOA Reauthorization, Appropriations, TANF regulations, and more. Gain insight into Pennsylvania’s divided legislature and Administration for workforce, apprenticeships, labor, education & training, and more. Explore what action you can take with PWDA to advocate and educate about the success of Pennsylvania’s workforce development system.
Chris Andresen
Partner, Dutko Government Relations
H. Patrick Clancy
President and CEO, Philadelphia Works, Inc.
Chris Andresen serves as a Partner with the Dutko GR team. He works extensively with clients to identify policy opportunities and threats to create detailed legislative and executive strategies. His broad experience includes working with companies, universities, non-profits, and trade associations in the following sectors: workforce development, consumer products, manufacturing, retail, biotechnology, renewable energy, criminal justice, mental health, technology, and higher education.
Chris frequently presents to corporate Boards of Directors on the overall state of Congress and the Administration, focusing on the impact their actions have on business activities and decisions.
He graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in History and holds an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.
Patrick Clancy is a results-oriented leader with more than two decades of senior-level experience in formulating and managing dynamic workforce development programs. Currently, Clancy serves as the distinguished President & CEO of Philadelphia Works, Inc., Philadelphia’s designated Workforce Development Board. In his executive role, he meticulously directs the organization and provides strategic guidance for the workforce system investments that are directly contributing to Philadelphia’s escalating economic growth.
Before assuming his current role, Clancy made significant contributions as the Special Advisor on Employment and Training Programs for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. It was under his guidance that an $80 million Welfare to Work program was successfully implemented across the Commonwealth. His collaborative work in drafting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) state plan for the US Department of Labor stands testament to his expanse of knowledge and leadership.
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources and Management from the renowned LaSalle University, and a coveted Certificate in Project Management from Pennsylvania State University. Committed to imparting his expertise to benefit the broader community, Clancy actively serves as a board member of the Wanamaker Institute of Industries and as a Trustee on the Board for the Community College of Philadelphia.
As a prominent member of the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association, National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, and the Society for Human Resource Management, he continues to help reshape the world of workforce development. Additionally, Clancy’s election as the 2nd Vice President on the Workforce Development Council of the US Conference of Mayors marks his growing influence and inspiration in his field.
Workforce Development IS Economic Development:
Exploring Priorities and Alignment
Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 9:30am-10:30am
As the job market continues to tighten, and the need for economic competitiveness remains, listen in on economic development priorities, engage in discussion, and address opportunities that align the human (workforce) capital.
Gwen Ross
PA. Dept. of Community and Economic Development
Michael Rivera
Berks County Commissioner
County Commissioners Association of PA
Anna Ramos
Lancaster County Workforce Development Board
Gwen A. Ross serves as the Director of Workforce Development Initiatives with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). DCED is the state’s lead agency on economic development, working to support current and future business and industry needs. As the Director of Workforce Development Initiatives, she works on a wide range of activities, interagency collaborations, policies, and programs to help create, sustain and retain a talented workforce in Pennsylvania. She also serves as the grant manager for the department’s Foundation in Industry Training (FIT) Grant Program, the Manufacturing-Training to Career Grant Program, and oversees the policy and management of the Workforce and Economic Development Network of PA (WEDnet).
Gwen has over 20 years’ experience in public service. Prior to joining DCED, she served as a Chief of Staff to two different members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in their district offices. Gwen received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at Slippery Rock University and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership – Public Administration & Policy from East Stroudsburg University.
Gwen resides the Borough of Carlisle with her husband, their 10-year-old daughter, and their cat.
Michael Rivera began serving as Berks County Commissioner in January of 2020. He is also a Real Estate professional at Keller Williams Platinum Realty in Wyomissing together with his wife and son. He resides in Bern Township with his wife Zylkia, and his children, Andre and Adriana.
Professionally, Rivera has been a small business owner for many years and spent over seven years in the banking industry. Prior to his role at Keller Williams, he was the Assistant Vice President of Business Services at the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, where he assisted and guided entrepreneurs and business owners in obtaining the resources needed to be successful. He also helped develop and implement programs to help small businesses grow and be sustainable.
In Rivera’s current role as County Commissioner, his background in banking, business and Real Estate have been key to his focused efforts on fiscal responsibility, economic development, and workforce development for the County of Berks. Rivera serves on the following boards/committees at the county- Board of Commissioners, Vice-Chair; Board of Elections, Chair; Retirement Board; Prison Board; Salary Board; Blighted Property Review Board; Berks Municipal Partnership Advisory Board; Reading Regional Airport Authority Board; MH/DD Advisory Board; and Savings and Efficiency Team, among others.
Since becoming a Commissioner, Rivera found it very important to immediately get involved in the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) and the National Association of Counties (NACo). At CCAP he serves as Board of Directors president, and serves on the Executive Committee, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee, Fiduciary Committee, Education Committee, Community and Economic Development Committee, and PCoRP Board of Directors, among others. At NACo he serves on the Community, Economic and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee. He understands and values the roles of these organizations for counties both in PA and across the nation.
Anna Ramos has been with the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board since 2019 and has served as the Chief Operating Officer before assuming the role as the Executive Director in July 2022. Prior to that, Anna was the Business Initiatives Director with the Lancaster Chamber. Anna has over 22+ years of workforce development experience that consist of her role as the Site Administrator at the PA CareerLink® of Lancaster County working with job seekers for 15 years, combined with her work at the Lancaster Chamber and now with Workforce Development Board. Anna is involved with several local workforce committees and plays a leading role in the county’s business education partnership, Career Ready Lancaster! Coupled with Anna’s unique background and experience, she is a key contributor in cultivating the workforce ecosystem by collaborating with businesses to understand their workforce needs while engaging with community partners to create the pipeline of workers to meet those needs. She serves as a board member for Community Action Partnership and Chairs the Finance Committee of the PA Workforce Development Association.