Director, Eckerd Connects/Montgomery County WDB
Bio:
I started with Eckerd Connects as Director of Contracts Management in April 2016 after spending 34 years with Henkels & McCoy as Sr. Operations Manager. I have a total of 43 years’ experience in Workforce at an Executive Leadership level. I earned my CWDP in 2020 and renewed it twice through 2026. Between 2016 and 2024, I served as NAWDPs Director at Large, chair of the finance committee, and continue to play an active role in the Programing, E-Learning, Credentialing, and Marketing Committee.
What is your vision for the workforce development profession?
My vision is to have our profession recognized by people in every community, all types of organizations and the first alternative for business engagement. We are a known commodity in the industry. A place to provide help in every phase of professional development. As a free service we are the key to success for workforce development in a shortage of people in every sector of our industry. The change towards AI is critical to our future and our best opportunity to be creative for our membership.
Do you have a particular interest area or passion in workforce development?
As a servant leader and practitioner, I am passionate about creating platform for current industry professional development. Promoting positive change in our membership by efficient use of talent to make an engaging experience with NAWDP. To thrive in today’s economy, our members must be ardent about change. Inspire employer partners and employees to change their mind-set. To seek difficult challenges and connect with others to make a real impact in the future of commerce in their communities.
Why do you want to serve on the Board?
My values match our vision by putting honesty, equality, kindness, compassion, treating people the way I want to be treated and helping those in most in need. With these values I strive to help promote change and improve, lives. The determined professionals that make up the public workforce training and delivery system are required to rapidly changing industry sectors the need for collaboration with business services. I served on the board for 10 years. I am anxious to pick up where I left off.
What do you think is the biggest challege facing the profession today and how can NAWDP address that challenge?
The last year has been an area of extreme challenges and change. The administration cut funding to a level that was unexpected and painful for all of us in so many ways. However, we found great ways to make the most of the opportunity and excel our virtual presence and platforms for the near future. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence will provide an opportunity for being creative and efficient in all areas of our industry. We must be the leaders in professional development in this area.