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Sylvie Nelson

Interim Executive Director

Sylvie Nelson is a recognized leader in workforce development, committed to building an equitable and just economy through inclusive, innovative, and employer‑aligned strategies. With a career dedicated to expanding economic opportunity, she brings a deep understanding of how policy, education, and industry partnerships intersect to create pathways to thriving wages for all New Yorkers.

A small business owner and long‑time champion of experiential learning, Sylvie has shaped the future workforce through an international STEM program connecting New York State’s North Country schools with global companies transforming the education landscape. Her work has consistently centered on preparing young people and adults for the skills demanded by a rapidly changing economy.

Before stepping into the role of Interim Executive Director at NYATEP, Sylvie served for a decade as Executive Director of the North Country Workforce Development Board (NCWDB) and the North Country Workforce Partnership (NCWP). She is a seasoned expert in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and a vocal advocate for policies that support working families—including access to quality education and training, thriving wages, and affordable, accessible child care that enables individuals to fully participate in the labor force. She firmly believes that workforce development is economic development.

Most recently, Sylvie coordinated an international study visit to Montréal, Québec, bringing together New York State child care professionals and business leaders to learn from Québec’s world‑renowned early childhood education model. This work is now informing the innovative efforts of the Dutchess County Early Learning Coalition and contributing to statewide conversations on child care as essential economic infrastructure.

Sylvie has been invited to speak on national and international panels, highlighting the critical role of education in workforce development and the importance of innovation in advancing equity and economic mobility.

She holds a B.A. in English from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas; a B.A. in Communication Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Concordia University in Montréal, Québec, Canada. She is fluent in French.