WORKFORCE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

United Way of Central Maryland launched its inaugural Workforce Leadership Academy in partnership with The Aspen Institute and with support from The Weinberg Foundation. 

The Baltimore Workforce Leadership Academy brings leaders from across Baltimore’s workforce ecosystem together for a year-long series of retreats, workshops, and action learning projects. The Academy provides a forum for local leaders to work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions for economic opportunity for all. Fellows work with leading practitioners throughout the country as they deepen networks; strengthen systems leadership skills; apply race, equity, and systems change frameworks to their work; and increase understanding of effective strategies and programs.  

Alumni of the Academy become part of the Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunity Fellows Network, joining Fellows from fourteen previous Academies in eleven cities in the US and Canada. 

 

MEET THE UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MARYLAND 2023-2024 FELLOWS

 

ACADEMY GOALS

 

The Academy engages leaders in a yearlong peer learning cohort to: 

  • Expand and deepen professional networks and partnerships;   

  • Strengthen organizational and systems leadership skills;   

  • Apply a race and equity lens to assess and improve workforce services and strategies;   

  • Apply systems change framework to Fellows’ work;  

  • Deepen understanding of effective strategies and programs; and  

  • Provide a forum to work collaboratively to identify local and regional systems-based challenges and create shared solutions 

  

LOCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

 

  • Eli Allen: Senior Program Direct, Civic Works 

  • Elaine Carroll: Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Jane Addams Resource Center 

  • Sara Cooper: Senior Associate for Economic Opportunity, The Annie E. Casey Foundation 

  • Linda Dworak: Director, Baltimore Workforce Funder’s Collaborative 

  • Jermaine Jones: Director, Baltimore DC Metro Building & Construction Trades 

  • Kendra Parlock: Vice President, Partnership Development, NPower 

  • Jason Perkins-Cohen: Director, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development 

  • Louise Slezak: Dean, Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Community College of Baltimore County 

  • Alex Smith: Founder, Division Street Landscaping 

 

ABOUT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM

 

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington DC. Its mission is to spark intellectual inquiry and exchange, create a diverse worldwide community of leaders committed to the greater good, and provide a nonpartisan forum for reaching solutions on vital public policy issues. The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances promising strategies and policies to help low- and moderate-income Americans connect to and thrive in a changing economy. 

Over its 25 years of work, the Economic Opportunities Program has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and to build assets and economic stability. 

This initiative is made possible by the generous support of Walmart, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Foundation. 

Aspen Institute