Degan Mercado Leopold on Building Better Talent Pipelines

How can New York City’s workforce system move beyond one-off opportunities and become a true engine of economic mobility?

July 9, 2026

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On this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Greg Morris sits down with Degan Mercado Leopold, Chief Partnerships Officer at the New York Jobs CEO Council, for a conversation about employer engagement, public talent pipelines, career-connected learning, and what it takes to connect more New Yorkers to high-demand careers.

Together, they discuss the role of CUNY, NYC Public Schools, internships, work-based learning, and cross-sector partnerships in building a more coordinated workforce system — one rooted in trust, access, and real economic opportunity.