2025 Workforce Development Conference Reflections

Oct 29, 2025

The NYATEP Fall Workforce Development Conference brought together workforce development professionals from across New York State for an inspiring mix of learning, networking, and collaboration. Attendees engaged with expert speakers, participated in dynamic workshops, and connected with colleagues to share ideas and best practices.

The conference opened with a warm welcome from NYATEP Board President Louise McLoughlin and a video message from Congressman John Mannion, followed by a keynote presentation from Susan Koehn of Lightcast, offering valuable insights into workforce trends and opportunities. Lisette Nieves from the Fund for the City of New York, sponsored by Grant Associates, also delivered a keynote on the second day of the conference that energized attendees for a series of interactive breakout sessions.

Workshops covered a wide range of topics critical to today’s workforce, including registered apprenticeships, renewable energy, collaboration strategies, solutions for immigrant and refugee professionals, English upskilling, WIOA, AI in workforce development, workplace cohesion, leadership development, accessibility, digital literacy, and recruitment and retention. Attendees also gained insights into funding strategies, early childhood workforce development, and effective HR partnerships.

Panels throughout the conference offered opportunities to dive deeper into policy and practice. Highlights included a discussion on navigating the workforce policy landscape with Assemblymember Gabriella Romero, Caroline Treschitta of the National Skills Coalition, and Therese Daly of the United Way of New York State, moderated by Brian Williams of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board. Another engaging panel featured Michelle Clarke of the Office of Strategic Workforce Development at Empire State Development, Denise Zieske of SUNY, Dana Politis of NYSDOL, and Greg Morris of NYCETC, moderated by Dave Seeley of RochesterWorks, exploring collaborative approaches to workforce development.

The event also emphasized networking and celebration. Attendees connected over lunch and evening receptions, enjoyed the photobooth, a dessert display and ice cream, and refreshments, and had the chance to honor outstanding awardees during the Awards Celebration in the Fort Orange Ballroom.

This year's NYATEP Statewide Workforce Development Awardees are:

Frontline Leadership Award: Tejiana Lee, Queens Public Library

NYS Workforce Program Award: Lukee Forbes, Youth Organizing Program at We Are Revolutionary

Business Leadership Award: Courtney Willis, Restaurant Associates

Workforce & Economic Development Partnership Award: Cerise Sutton, Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)

The inaugural Melinda Mack Legacy Award: Christopher White, SUNY

Overall, the conference highlighted the collective impact of workforce development initiatives across New York State, provided valuable learning opportunities, and fostered meaningful connections that will continue to drive innovation and collaboration in the field.