FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 26, 2024
CONTACT: press@nycetc.org
NEW YORK, NY— The Board of Directors of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) voted in five new Board Members. These new members support the design and delivery of industry-specific training programs that result in employment and career development in growing occupations and labor markets. Each represents a wealth of work readiness opportunities essential for New Yorkers seeking on-ramps to good jobs, including internships and apprenticeships, certification and credentialing, financial literacy, educational services, and comprehensive wraparound supports that increase engagement and retention outcomes.
On the appointments, Gregory J Morris, CEO, NYCETC said, “As leaders of innovative and impactful local and national workforce development models that support of under resourced and underserved communities including justice impacted individuals, immigrants, and adults in need of reskilling/upskilling options due to job displacement, our new Board class represents a history of demonstrated success building pathways to inclusion and accessibility, sustainability and economic mobility. I am enthusiastic about learning from them and partnering with them to elevate and advance NYC’s workforce development agenda.”
Join NYCETC in welcoming their new Board Members:
- Daniel Diaz, Executive Director, East Side House Settlement. East Side House Settlement (ESH), a community-based organization committed to enriching the lives of families and individuals in the Bronx and surrounding communities. ESH offers a comprehensive and holistic portfolio of programs with a focus on education and workforce development that support over 14,000 families at every stage of life, from birth through senior years, empowering individuals to achieve economic and social well-being. With a 130-year history rooted in excellence and evidence-based practices, East Side House continues to foster resilience and create opportunities for future generations.
- Ayesha George, Executive Director, STRIVE New York. STRIVE is a national workforce development leader that for nearly 40 years has successfully provided services to populations facing significant societal barriers to employment. STRIVE moves students into careers that lead to upward mobility and economic empowerment. Headquartered in East Harlem, New York and with operations in 14 locations, STRIVE has helped more than 85,000 individuals through employment programs geared toward adults of all ages, including those with involvement in the justice system.
- Annie Martinez, Sr. Director, Growth Strategy (NY), Year Up. Founded in 2000, Year Up is one of the largest workforce development organizations in the country. Year Up helps companies become more equitable, inclusive employers; empower historically overlooked talent with access to livable-wage careers; and collaborate with like-minded organizations to close the Opportunity Divide at scale.
- Kalilah Moon, Executive Director/CEO, Drive Change. Drive Change was founded in 2014 with a mission to support formerly incarcerated young people by creating quality employment pathways to ensure their economic and emotional wellbeing. Drive Change works to advance racial equity by creating systemic change and sustainable impact in the lives of NYC’s most under-served youth, boldly reimagining what’s possible for both the young people we serve and the food and hospitality industry serving pathways to their lifelong success.
- Anthony Watson, Executive Director, SUNY Manhattan EOC. Located in the heart of Harlem, and serving 2,000 New Yorkers per year, the Manhattan EOC delivers student-centered academic and workforce development programs and serves as a gateway to access further education, career achievement, personal growth, and self-sufficiency for adult learners in the NYC area. The Manhattan EOC provides tuition-free programs to help New Yorkers learn English, earn their High School Equivalency diploma, and prepare for a career with the appropriate national or state certification or licensure in areas such as allied health, security, technology, and transportation & construction.
“NYCETC’s newest class of Board members lead organizations driving proven workforce development strategies, such as sector-based training, partnerships with higher education, and career exploration for youth,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Interim Board Chair of the NYCETC Board of Directors and President & CEO of The Doe Fund. “I am proud and excited to welcome this distinguished group of colleagues to the NYCETC Board, and I look forward to working together to further our mission of ensuring that every New Yorker has access to the skills, training, and education needed to thrive in the local economy.”
“Joining the NYCETC Board allows me to continue the work of East Side House on a broader scale, ensuring that our most vulnerable populations have the pathways to success and the support necessary to achieve their full potential,” said Daniel Diaz, Executive Director at East Side House Settlement. “It is an opportunity to further advocate for workforce development and to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the resources and support they need to thrive in their careers and contribute to our city’s economic growth.”
“NYCETC’s work to ensure New Yorkers facing systemic barriers to employment have access to skills and workforce training is critical to building a more equitable economy,” said Ayesha George, Executive Director of STRIVE New York. “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to work alongside this remarkable group and help provide a pathway to life-changing careers and upward mobility for people from excluded communities.”
“I’m excited to work alongside leaders in the field aiming to create greater access to opportunity and lasting impact on workforce systems in New York City,” said Annie Martinez, Sr. Director of Growth Strategy (NY) at Year Up. “At Year Up we believe in the power of the collective to drive lasting change and are committed to supporting NYCETC in its efforts to build collaborative solutions to our city’s greatest challenges.
“I am thrilled to join the board of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition,” said Kalilah Moon, Executive Director/CEO of Drive Change. “This appointment is not only a recognition of the incredible work we do at Drive Change but also a testament to the power of collaboration and commitment to workforce development. I look forward to contributing to NYCETC’s mission… Together, we will work towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all.”
“I am overjoyed with the opportunity to join the NYCETC Board and contribute to its long-standing commitment to workforce development,” said Anthony Watson, Executive Director of the SUNY Manhattan EOC. “I am eager to provide my support to help continue moving the vision and mission of the organization forward and to work with the many great leaders and organizations who are part of NYCETC.”
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About the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)
As the largest city-based workforce development association in the country, the New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) supports the workforce and economic development community to ensure that every New Yorker has access to the skills, training, and education needed to thrive in the local economy; and that every business is able to maintain a highly skilled workforce. Currently, more than 200 organizations are members of the NYCETC. These organizations are responsible for serving the needs of 200,000+ New Yorkers seeking access to education and employment opportunities each year. The primary recipients of services are women, young adults (18-24 years of age), public housing residents, justice-impacted individuals, and immigrants.