America's Workforce: Creating a Blueprint for the Future
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Washington, DCThis event has passed.
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The collective skills, knowledge, and experience of the American people—our human capital—are this country’s most valuable asset. Although boundless in its potential, our human capital faces worrying trends. Parents cannot afford quality child care. Public schools struggle to prepare students. Industries search for qualified workers.
To address these challenges, the Bipartisan Policy Center launched Commission on the American Workforce, co-chaired by former Governors Bill Haslam (R-TN) and Deval Patrick (D-MA). This commission of national leaders and experts will meet throughout 2025 and develop an actionable, bipartisan strategy to ensure every American has access to economic opportunity and the U.S. remains competitive.
Join us for a half-day summit featuring discussions designed to shape a blueprint for the future of America’s workforce. Topics and confirmed speakers are below, please check back as additional speakers will be added.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
- Henry Cisneros | Chairman, BPC Board of Directors and Former Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
The 119th Congress: Advancing Workforce and Education Policy Together
Members of Congress will share their perspectives on opportunities for bipartisan collaboration in education and workforce development in the 119th Congress.
- Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Chair, House Committee on Education and Workforce
- Moderated by: Margaret Spellings | President and CEO, BPC
The Nation’s Workforce Challenges: Why the U.S. Needs Bipartisan Solutions Now
Commission leaders discuss the urgency around our nation’s workforce and education challenges.
- Bill Haslam (R-TN) | Former Governor of Tennessee and Co-Chair, BPC Commission on the American Workforce
- Deval Patrick (D-MA) | Former Governor of Massachusetts and Co-Chair, BPC Commission on the American Workforce
- Margaret Spellings | President and CEO, BPC
- Moderated by: Amna Nawaz | Co-anchor, PBS NewsHour
Reversing the Decline: Solutions for K-12 Success
K-12 education is under intense scrutiny as test scores decline nationwide and students face significant learning loss. State education chiefs will share how they are working to get students back on track.
- Katie Jenner | Indiana Secretary of Education
- Aimee Guidera | Virginia Secretary of Education
- Mike Miles | Superintendent, Houston Independent School District
- Moderated by: Romy Drucker | Director of Education Program, Walton Family Foundation
Funding for Impact: Philanthropy’s Role in Driving Workforce and Education Solutions
Philanthropic contributions have played a vital role in advancing workforce development, addressing education reform, supporting college access and completion, and developing solutions to the childcare crisis. Leaders will highlight the future of philanthropy in addressing the entire talent pipeline and their role in partnering with policymakers to support all Americans.
- Terri Ludwig | CEO of Philanthropy, Ballmer Group Philanthropy
- Jamie Merisotis | President and CEO, Lumina Foundation
- Ridgway White | President and CEO, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
- Moderated by: Cheryl Oldham | Executive Vice President of Human Capital, BPC
AI and Beyond: Navigating Tech’s Role in Workforce and Education
Experts will explore how past technological disruption in the labor market can help us understand the future impact of AI.
- John Bailey | Non-Resident Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute
- Moderated by: Geoff Lane | Director, BPC Action
Mind the Gap: Aligning Education with Workforce Needs
Experts will examine how the current skills mismatch contributes to unfilled jobs and unemployment, the disconnect between the education system and workforce pipelines, and highlight the importance of alternative postsecondary pathways.
- John King | Chancellor, State University of New York
- Mike Rogers | Chief Workforce Officer, State of Arkansas
- Eloy Ortiz Oakley | President and CEO, College Futures Foundation
- Moderated by: Elyse Ashburn | Co-founder and Editor, Work Shift
This is a private event, if you would like an invitation please reach out to [email protected]
This event is co-hosted by BPC and BPC Action and has been designed to meet Congressional Ethics guidelines for a widely attended event.
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