Opportunity in America - Events by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program

For almost twenty years, the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program has convened local and national academies that bring together senior leaders from across the workforce ecosystem to learn together about increasing economic opportunity for all. In this conversation facilitated by EOP Senior Fellow Dee Wallace, we hear from Clair Minson, the founder and principal consultant at Sandra Grace LLC, co-director of Workforce Matters, and a 2015 alumna of the Weinberg Sector Skills Academy in Baltimore. The interview delves into the critical intersections of workforce development and racial equity. Minson shares insights on systemic change, racial equity, and the evolution of leadership within the workforce development field. Through candid reflections, Minson offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities for advancing equity in the workforce. Visit our website for key lessons and takeaways from this discussion: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/workforce-leadership-profile-advancing-equity-through-workforce-development-with-clair-minson/ Or subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch the whole discussion there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95bPOtrNyRo

The myth that hard work pays off in the US, and always leads to a better and more economically prosperous life, has come unraveled in recent years. Many jobs simply do not pay enough for workers to meet their basic needs, much less do things such as save for retirement, fund their kids’ education, or allow for leisure. In her first book, “The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy,” Natalie Foster asks us to imagine a new economic framework that casts aside the failures of the trickle-down approach to embrace one that builds economic security and well-being from the bottom up. Foster — co-founder of the Economic Security Project, a leading voice for guaranteed income, and senior fellow at the Aspen Institute’s Future of Work Initiative — explores a bold vision in which housing, health care, higher education, dignified work, family care, and an opportunity to build generational wealth are guaranteed for all by our government. Through real-life experiences, collaborations with prominent activists and thinkers, compelling narratives, and analysis, Foster forces us to dream big and ask tough questions about why we provide so many government-backed guarantees and supports to the private sector, but very little to the people.  In this book talk — hosted May 15, 2024, by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program — Foster discusses what a New Deal could look like for the 21st Century. Dr. Manuel Pastor, distinguished professor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California, provides opening remarks. Maureen Conway, vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of the Economic Opportunities Program, moderates the discussion. For more information about this event, including speaker bios and additional resources, visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/the-guarantee-inside-the-fight-for-americas-next-economy/ To order “The Guarantee: Inside the Fight for America’s Next Economy,” visit: https://nataliefoster.me/the-guarantee/ For more clips and content from the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ Or tune in to our podcast and listen on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop/  And join us at an upcoming event! June 21 — The Workers Behind Our Groceries: A Book Talk with Benjamin Lorr July 24 — Tapping into Worker Voice to Improve Job Quality: Lessons from the Talent Pipeline Management Network Sept 4 — Seizing the Moment on Worker Rights: A Toolkit for Organizers and Practitioners

In this clip, Gwyneth Galbraith, vice president for global small business philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase, offers closing remarks for the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this video, we hear from five leaders representing a variety of sectors about their “big idea” for advancing employee ownership. Speakers include: Christine Curella, Economic Development Consultant; Former Senior Policy Adviser to Deputy Mayor of New York City Evan Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Project Equity Chris Griswold, Policy Director, American Compass Wilma Liebman, Former Chair, National Labor Relations Board; Senior Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Jason Wiener, Member, Colorado Employee Ownership Commission; Executive Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

Equity compensation is a standard practice across the corporate world. But very often, it’s just the C-suite and upper level management who are allowed to participate and capture the gains. Frontline workers, particularly women and people of color, are often excluded from this wealth-building opportunity. This panel will highlight examples and practices that reverse this trend so that equity compensation is equitable and so that the frontline workers, who are key to driving profits, also see a return for their contributions. Speakers include: Robert Patricelli, Senior Advisor, InTandem Capital Partners Anna-Lisa Miller, Founding Executive Director, Ownership Works Anthony Cimino, Vice President and Head of Policy, Carta Barbara Baksa, Executive Director, National Association of Stock Plan Professionals Adria Scharf, Associate Director, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

Financing employee ownership conversions has been a long-standing challenge to growth. But new funds and investors from across the financial sector are coming on board. And many more opportunities appear on the horizon as institutional investors are beginning to explore how to get involved. This panel of finance experts will highlight some emerging finance models and the opportunities and challenges of financing the growth of employee ownership in the decade to come. Speakers include: Amy Brakeman, Co-Founder, Unlock Ownership Fund Phil Reeves, Founding Partner, Apis & Heritage Capital Partners Zoe Schlag, Cofounder and Managing Partner, Common Trust; Executive Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Jim Sorenson, Founder, Sorenson Impact Group Melissa Hoover, Special Projects Director, Democracy at Work Institute; Senior Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

The field of employee ownership is one in constant evolution. New forms of ownership are being created with some regularity, and the practice of starting and converting businesses to ownership continues to develop. These evolutions are in response to various factors including changing market conditions, policy and regulatory environments, and worker and business needs. But what they often share is a desire to innovate so that ownership and the benefits it provides can expand. This discussion will examine how companies and different organizations are innovating their models and practices to grow ownership in different regions in the US. Speakers include: Christine Adee, Co-Chief Executive Officer, OwnersEdge, Inc. Chris Cooper, Director, Ohio Employee Ownership Center Corey Rosen, Founder and Senior Staff Member, National Center for Employee Ownership; Faculty Fellow and Member, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Aquilina Soriano Versoza, Executive Director, Pilipino Workers Center; Executive Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Mary Josephs, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Verit Advisors; Contributor, Forbes (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Ford Foundation Senior Program Officer Margot Brandenburg and Aspen Institute Vice President Maureen Conway (who also serves as executive director of the Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program) provide opening remarks for the second day of the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Sarah Keh, vice president for inclusive solutions at Prudential Financial, offers closing remarks for the first day of the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

Agencies across the US government are engaged in supporting employee ownership. And in recent years, this engagement has grown as new laws such as the WORK Act, the Main Street Employee Ownership Act, and other pieces of legislation have passed. In this discussion, we’ll hear from a variety of agencies about the strategies and programs they are implementing, the lessons they are learning, and how stakeholders around the country can partner with them to expand ownership in their communities. Speakers include: Lisa Gomez, Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, US Department of Labor Alex Jacquez, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Development and Industrial Strategy, National Economic Council, The White House David Brown, Director of Policy, Office of the Administrator, US Small Business Administration Leroy Garcia, Chief of Staff, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, US Department of Agriculture Maureen Conway, Vice President, The Aspen Institute; Executive Director, Economic Opportunities Program (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont shares his thoughts at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, including the reasoning behind his support for employee ownership and steps Congress is taking to expand ownership opportunities. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Jim Bonham, president and CEO of the ESOP Association, provides an update on the role of federal policy in employee ownership, including recent developments and prospective opportunities. This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, US Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland shares his thoughts at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, including the reasoning behind his support for employee ownership and steps Congress is taking to expand ownership opportunities. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

Employee ownership has long-standing bipartisan appeal. Over the last few years, we have seen that industrial policy, the idea that the government should invest in and support industries critical to the nation’s security and competitiveness, is also appealing to both parties. This conversation will examine how these ideas converge and the benefits and value of having businesses be employee-owned that are important to our national interest and the health of our supply chains. During this panel, we’ll hear from business leaders of employee-owned companies in manufacturing and other critical sectors talk about their work and how employee ownership strengthens it. Speakers include: Mowa Haile, CEO, Apex Underground; President, Sky Blue Builders Mariann Fuller, CFO, Columbia Chemical Joey Nestegard, CFO, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Rick Plympton, CEO, Optimax Systems, Inc. Adria Scharf, Associate Director, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

Rural communities looking to improve economic opportunities and retain jobs and community wealth know employee ownership can help them achieve these objectives. In fact, some of the states, towns, and cities with the densest number of employee owned-companies are in primarily rural areas. These companies range from small worker cooperatives in agriculture and energy to medium and large companies in manufacturing and construction, among other sectors. During this panel conversation, we’ll hear from elected officials and employee-owned companies in rural areas about the important role of employee ownership in their communities and the lessons they have learned about bringing shared prosperity to rural areas. Speakers include: Daniel Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer, Go ESOP LLC; Executive Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Molly Hemstreet, Founder and Co-Executive Director, The Industrial Commons; Executive Fellow, Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing Jenny Levy, Executive Vice President, People, Community & Environment, Hypertherm Michael Williams, CFO, Black & Veatch Jeff Guo, Co-host and Reporter for Planet Money, NPR (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

States around the country are increasingly recognizing the benefits of employee ownership in creating and retaining good jobs and successful businesses in their communities. And in response, they are developing new legislation and policies to support the growth of employee ownership within their states by offering additional tax incentives, financial support, and other assistance and resources. Speakers include: Mike Padden, State Senator, 4th District, Washington State Senate Naquetta Ricks, State Representative, District 40, Colorado House of Representatives Kerry Siggins, CEO, StoneAge; Chair, Colorado Employee Ownership Commission Paul Kinghorn, Director, Center for Business and Innovation Growth/Advance Iowa, University of Northern Iowa Zach Warmbrodt, Financial Services Editor, Politico (moderator) This video comes from the second Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneopFor more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway and Dean Adrienne Eaton (School of Management and Labor Relations) provide opening remarks at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum.  The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Congressman Larry Bucshon, who represents Indiana’s 8th District in the US House of Representatives, shares his thoughts at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, including the reasoning behind his support for employee ownership and steps Congress is taking to expand ownership opportunities. The Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

In this clip, Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield and Vice President Maureen Conway (who also serves as executive director of the Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program) provide opening remarks at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. The Employee Ownership Ideas Forum is hosted by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. Our 2024 Forum, “Employee Ownership on the Ground,” brought innovative employee share ownership initiatives and speakers from around the country to Washington DC to highlight how this bipartisan approach to improving jobs, wealth creation, and business performance is helping create more equitable economies in states, cities, and rural communities. For clips and highlights from the Forum, subscribe to the Economic Opportunities Program on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aspeneop/ And tune in to our podcast to listen to full discussions on the go: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/aspeneop For more from the Forum — including videos, photos, audio, transcripts, and additional resources — visit: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/employee-ownership-ideas-forum-2024/

For almost twenty years, the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program has convened local and national academies that bring together senior leaders from across the workforce ecosystem to learn together about increasing economic opportunity for all. In this interview, we hear from Stephen Tucker, the founding president and CEO of the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo, New York. Tucker is an alum of EOP's Sector Skills Academy and has served as a valued guest faculty member for many local Workforce Leadership Academies across the country. Speaking with Senior Fellows Dee Wallace and Sheila Maguire, Tucker describes how he not only walks the talk as a leader but gives back to others using lessons learned as a program participant, job developer, economic developer, and champion for community, industry, and the workforce field. For key lessons and takeaways from this discussion, read the corresponding blog post on our website: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/workforce-leadership-profile-strengthening-communities-through-workforce-development-with-stephen-tucker/ Or subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch the whole discussion there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JlUIxJAgCc