The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) today announced Kirkland Murray as the recipient of the 2026 Workforce Professional of the Year. Murray, the President and CEO of Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, will be recognized at the 42nd NAWDP Annual Workforce Conference on May 18, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona.
Kirkland J. Murray serves as the President and CEO of Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC), a nonprofit organization that administers federal workforce initiatives for Anne Arundel County, Maryland. In his dual role as the Local Workforce Director, Murray is a driving force behind shaping strategic workforce solutions that respond to the dynamic needs of the region.
With a professional foundation rooted in economic development, Murray has transformed AAWDC into an intelligence-driven organization that delivers demand-driven solutions tailored to the evolving needs of businesses and jobseekers alike. His leadership has propelled AAWDC to national recognition, particularly for its innovative industry sector training model, its strategic focus on closing the essential “soft skills” gap, and the creation of cutting-edge work-and-learn opportunities that prepare individuals for long-term career success.
“The Workforce Professional of the Year award recognizes an individual for outstanding leadership in the workforce development arena,” said Melissa Robbins, NAWDP’s Chief Executive Officer. “Kirkland’s dedication to advancing workforce development and creating lasting, positive change for not only the state of Maryland, but also NAWDP and its members, is what this award is all about.”
Murray also serves as President of the Maryland Workforce Association (MWA), where he has revitalized the statewide workforce conference and launched MWA Learning—an initiative providing critical professional development and training for workforce professionals across the region. Nationally, he brings nearly a decade of board service to the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP), where he currently serves as the Region 2 Director. In this role, Murray champions workforce development policies and promotes collaboration across the industry.
Widely regarded as a visionary and a change agent, Murray remains deeply committed to expanding workforce participation and connecting individuals to career pathways that promote economic mobility and wealth-building. His forward-thinking leadership continues to shape a stronger, more robust workforce ecosystem in Anne Arundel County and beyond.
“As a workforce development professional, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing the work we do changes lives,” said Murray. “We’re not just helping someone find a job—we’re helping create pathways to economic mobility and opportunities to build lasting wealth. To be recognized for work that is truly about empowering others is incredibly humbling.”
