The NYC Workforce Drop Podcast

Michelle Jackson returns for a NYC Workforce Drop mini-episode to talk all things wage justice, and why alignment across campaigns matters now more than ever. 

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Gregory J. Morris, CEO of NYCETC, is joined by Stephanie Birmingham, NYCETC Director of Community & Operations, Courtney Granger, and Jennifer Tausig for a real-time debrief of the 2025 NYCETC Conference—what resonated, what surprised them, and what comes next for the workforce field.

In this mini episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Gregory J. Morris, Stephanie Birmingham, Courtney Granger, and Jennifer Tausig dig into the conference comment cards—what attendees told NYCETC about communications, content, and what the next mayoral administration should prioritize on workforce and economic development.

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Kathy Wylde, outgoing president & CEO of the Partnership for New York City, for a conversation about leadership, affordability, and the networks that shape New York’s economic future.

In this special Thanksgiving episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J Morris sits down with Jeremy Kaplan, Executive Director of Encore Community Services, for a warm, funny, and moving conversation about what it means to grow older and to never have to do it alone. From barefoot Florida Thanksgivings and anxiety-inducing “what are you thankful for?” rituals to New York City chosen family traditions, Greg and Jeremy explore how holidays crystallize our deepest fears and hopes about togetherness, aging, and belonging.

In this Thanksgiving mini-episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Encore Community Services Executive Director Jeremy Kaplan returns to share what the holiday really looks like inside one of New York City’s most mission-driven older adult organizations. What starts as a simple question — “What’s going on at Encore on Thanksgiving?” — unfolds into a vivid picture of community care at scale.

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Wayne Ho — President & CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) and Chair of the Human Services Council board — joins NYCETC CEO Greg Morris for a high-energy conversation about crisis response, community power, and what it means to lead with authenticity in a moment of intense challenge and change.

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, president of Empire State University (SUNY Empire), for a conversation about expanding opportunity through high-quality online public education.

In this mini episode, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Stephanie Birmingham, NYCETC’s Director of Community and Operations, to talk about what it really means to make the 2025 NYCETC Conference accessible and inclusive.

In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris is joined by Ngozi Okaro, founder and CEO of Custom Collaborative, for a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and the power of equitable work.

In this mini-episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris welcomes Grace Bonilla, President and CEO of United Way of New York City, back on the pod for a conversation about how the federal government shutdown is threatening the stability of millions of New Yorkers.

In this special mini-episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Debbie Roman to share some exciting personal news. After three and a half deeply rewarding years at Per Scholas New York, Debbie is stepping into a new chapter. She’s joining National Grid’s Workforce Development team as Program Manager, NY Workforce Development, where she’ll lead efforts to strengthen equitable talent pipelines across the region.