What does it really take to transform the way Los Angeles moves—and who gets to design the future of our city's transit?

In this episode of The Future Of Work podcast, host Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Ali Mir, Senior Vice President and West Regional Planning Lead (WSP) and a leader in regional planning, to uncover the stories and strategies behind LA's public transit evolution.

From his own transformative experience as a student riding every mode on the LA Metro—and realizing just how diverse and essential ridership is—to incorporating solution-based innovation related to equity, accessibility, and community-driven design, Ali Mir brings a personal and expert perspective to the future of mobility.

Together, they explore how major projects like the LAX Airport Metro Connector are redefining connectivity for a global city, why goods movement through Southern California's ports is a national concern, and what it will take for students and emerging talent to see themselves in careers shaping our infrastructure. Whether you're a student, policymaker, or transit enthusiast, this episode invites you to imagine—and help build—a more inclusive, resilient future of work and mobility.

You'll learn:

• Why LA's transit system is more vibrant and essential than many realize, serving a diverse cross-section of Angelenos

• How community insight and engagement are central to designing effective and equitable transportation solutions

• What the Airport Metro Connector means for LA's role as a global city and the future of "multi-pronged" mobility projects

• How workforce development and talent pipelines from local communities drive transit and infrastructure sustainability

• Why strategic partnerships between community colleges, private employers, and public agencies are vital to bridging the gap between education and careers in infrastructure

• How one-to-one mentorship and industry outreach can transform student confidence and build the next generation of transportation leaders

About the Guest:

Ali Mir is a Senior Vice President with WSP in the U.S. WSP is one of the world's leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to help shape communities. WSP operates in more than 50 countries and employs approximately 73,000 professionals. WSP in the U.S.'s team of 19,000 professionals pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects across the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, mining and metals sectors. Ali leads the West Regional Planning Practice for WSP, which includes over 120 land use, transit/transportation and environmental planners across eight states and the Pacific Territories. He has more than 20 years of professional experience managing and directing transit, transportation, land use and real estate development projects from feasibility to final design. He has overseen projects for a variety of transit and transportation clients throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Ali serves as a Board Member for Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, an Advisory Board Member for Mobility 21, a Southern California Transportation Advocacy organization, and as an Advisory Board Member of the METRANS Transportation Consortium.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Ali Mir & WSP USA:

Visit: https://www.wsp.com/en-us

LinkedIn: @alimirenvsp & @WSPUSA

Facebook: @WSPUSA

Instagram: @WSPUSA

X: @WSPUSA

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

The demographic of students in California is changing and education must change with it. Dr. Salvatrice Cummo is joined by Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, to unpack the challenges facing a massive and underrepresented sector of today's learners—students primarily over the age of 25 who are working at the same time as attending school. They cover the impact of outdated educational models, the rapid pace of technological change, and the urgent need for flexibility and employer partnerships. Tune in for a forward-thinking discussion on disrupting tradition and embracing true urgency in reimagining the future of work and learning.

You'll learn:

• How institutions can remain relevant as learners seek education that directly fuels economic mobility.

• What the demographics of higher education students look like today and why constant re-skilling and up-leveling is a requirement for the current workforce.

• How community colleges can better personalize learning experiences to fit the needs of diverse students, rather than relying on "one size fits all" approaches.

• How to address the unique challenges facing working learners who juggle multiple responsibilities along with their education.

About the Guest:

Eloy Ortiz Oakley is an American educator, leader, and advisor. He is the President and CEO of the College Futures Foundation, where he leads California's premiere philanthropic and post-secondary success organization focused on improving economic mobility for underserved learners through the lever post-secondary credential attainment. Previously, he served as Chancellor of the California Community Colleges for six years, leading the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. He is considered a leading voice on improving equity in higher education and positioning institutions for the global shifts in the workforce and the future of learning.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Eloy Ortiz Oakley & College Futures Foundation:

LinkedIn: @Eloy Oakley & @College Futures

Instagram & Twitter: @collegefutures

Website: https://collegefutures.org/

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

We dive into a dynamic panel captured at the 7th annual Future of Work Conference 2025, presented by Pasadena City College. Leaders from education, workforce development, and local government shared invaluable insights on building resilience, navigating recovery, and creating pathways to sustainable careers. Moderated by Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations - the panel featured insights from Tony Cordova - Vice Chancellor of Workforce & Equity Development of California, Monica Banken - Policy Deputy at the office of Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Lizzy Okoro Davidson - Director of the Pasadena Women's Business Center, and Kelly LoBianco - Director at Department of Economic Opportunity of Los Angeles County.

From personal stories of overcoming setbacks to practical strategies for supporting displaced workers and small business owners after recent wildfires, our panelists discuss the critical role of community colleges, innovative funding partnerships, and the importance of equity in recovery efforts.

Tune in as we unpack how local leaders are mobilizing for regional renewal, the challenges that persist—including barriers to sustainable funding—and what it means to build an equitable future of work, where lived experience and robust support systems truly matter.

You'll learn:

• How emergency response and recovery efforts have shifted towards investing in physical infrastructure to human capital.

• Why preparing an effective and resilient future workforce means valuing a diverse range of skills, from formal education to skilled trades.

• How effective teamwork between educational institutions and local government balances the disparate needs of the community's current workforce, students, businesses, and residents simultaneously.

• About the interwoven nature of community recovery and workforce readiness.

Watch the recording of the Future of Work Conference at PCC: here

Connect with us:

Visit pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @PCC EWD

LinkedIn: @PCCEWD

Instagram & Twitter: @pccewd

Find the transcript to this episode here

To connect with us about the podcast visit our website

Please be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

After the LA fires, how do we move past emergency response and into building sustainable crisis prepared communities who know how to bounce back? At our 7th annual Future of Work Conference, PCC led the conversation with local community leaders and experts on rebuilding after an unprecedented disaster. In this special excerpt from the conference, Dr. Salavtrice Cummo, discusses firsthand insights about building resilience and fostering renewal with Victor Gordo, Mayor of Pasadena. Tune in for an honest look at how thoughtful collaboration, listening to community needs, and investing in people can make a city not just recover, but thrive.

You'll learn:

• How emergency response and recovery efforts have shifted towards investing in physical infrastructure to human capital.

• Why preparing an effective and resilient future workforce means valuing a diverse range of skills, from formal education to skilled trades.

• How effective teamwork between educational institutions and local government balances the disparate needs of the community's current workforce, students, businesses, and residents simultaneously.

• About the interwoven nature of community recovery and workforce readiness.

Watch the recording of the Future of Work Conference at PCC: here

Connect with us:

Visit pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @PCC EWD

LinkedIn: @PCCEWD

Instagram & Twitter: @pccewd

Find the transcript to this episode here

To connect with us about the podcast visit our website

Please be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

With the LA fires so prominent in recent memory, one question looms large: how can communities move beyond immediate recovery to create long-term systems that withstand future shocks? Today Dr. Salvatrice Cummo, Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development at PCC, and Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations, sit down to open a conversation on building a framework of resiliency and collaboration that will sustain the community for years to come. With the seventh annual Future of Work conference on the horizon, the conversation dives deep into this year's critical theme: rebuilding and resiliency in the face of recent natural disasters—specifically, the impact of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Join us for this glimpse into the upcoming conference and the discussions to come on October 28th!

You'll learn:

• The theme for this year's Future of Work Conference and how PCC is leading the conversation on building long term resiliency after disaster

• How community colleges are positioned to act as anchor institutions during crisis response and recovery

• Why collaboration is vital to break down silos, form strategic partnerships, and create coordinated spaces for recovery and workforce development

• Why recovery must address systemic barriers to resources and how to build solutions which keep equity in mind

Register for the Future of Work Conference on Tuesday October 28th, 2025 at PCC: here

Connect with us:

JOIN THE FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE: https://pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development/events.php

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @PCC EWD

LinkedIn: @PCCEWD

Instagram & Twitter: @pccewd

Find the transcript to this episode here

To connect with us about the podcast visit our website

Please be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

In anticipation of the 7th Annual Future of Work Conference to be held on October 28th 2025, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo brings back Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director of the Pasadena Women's Business Center at PCC and panel speaker, to touch on all the progress made by the center since opening its doors last year. Lizzy shares how the Women's Business Center, with the full support of Pasadena City College, pivoted swiftly from fostering entrepreneurship to acting as a vital hub for recovery, connection, and hope for women and small business owners in the wake of the LA fires. Tune in for this sneak peek into the upcoming Future of Work conference as we explore how partnerships between community colleges and organizations like the Women's Business Center play a crucial role in mobilizing for recovery and rebuilding after an unprecedented disaster.

You'll learn:

• Why community is vital for entrepreneurs, especially during times of crisis, and what can be done to foster it where it does not currently exist.

• How the WBC is harnessing in-person community events, targeted education, and major funding support from philanthropic partners like Paris Hilton to empower women and small business owners.

• Why it is so important to focus on the unique landscape for women founders, focusing on leveraging their strengths and addressing systemic barriers.

• How WBC's free accelerator programs are teaching small business owners to diversify revenue and build resilience, post-disaster.

About the Guest:

Lizzy Okoro Davidson is an LA-based entrepreneur, consultant, and public speaker who serves as the Director of the Women's Business Center at Pasadena City College. With over a decade of experience in media, consulting, and public speaking, Lizzy has worked with leading brands such as Nike and Adidas. Before working with the Women's Business Center, she founded Bunch Magazine in 2011. She has experience managing a team of 100+ creatives including writers, photographers, stylists and art directors in a dozen countries over the course of six years. Throughout her career, Lizzy has been dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic growth by providing the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive.

Engage with us:

JOIN THE FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE: https://pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development/events.php

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Lizzy Okoro Davidson & Pasadena Women's Business Center at PCC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzyokoro/

Website: https://www.lizzyokoro.com/

https://www.pasadenawbc.org/

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo speaks with Mario Cordero, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach and former Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission. Mario shares how the Port pairs competitiveness with sustainability, why the Green Port Policy still matters twenty years on, and what it will take to move toward continuous operations across the supply chain. From tariff uncertainty to zero emission goals and major rail investments, he connects policy choices to real impacts on prices, jobs, and the communities that live next to our gateways.

You'll learn:

• What the Green Port Policy has achieved since 2005, including major reductions in diesel soot, NOx, and sulfur oxides, while cargo volumes grew

• Why the Pier B on the dock rail expansion is central to speed to market and removes hundreds of trucks from freeways with each train

• How tariff shifts create uncertainty for business and consumers and what steadier policy signals could mean for local jobs

• What a move toward 24/7 operations would require across terminals, warehouses, and labor, and why the greater cost is doing nothing

• Why embracing AI as a tool, not a threat, is part of building a future-ready workforce

About the Guest:

Mario Cordero is Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach, one of the world's leading seaports and a recognized pioneer in green port initiatives. Appointed CEO in 2017 after serving as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission under President Obama, he oversees a staff of more than 500 and a $761 million budget. A longtime Long Beach resident, attorney, and former Harbor Commissioner, Cordero spearheaded the landmark Green Port Policy that has become a model for ports worldwide. He has also served on the boards of the American Association of Port Authorities, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's Los Angeles branch, and the L.A. County Economic Resiliency Task Force. Named to the Los Angeles Business Journal's "LA500" list of top civic leaders for seven consecutive years, Cordero continues to champion sustainability, infrastructure investment, and workforce development at one of the nation's busiest trade gateways.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Mario Cordero & Port of Long Beach

LinkedIn: @port-of-long-beach

Website: https://polb.com/

Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube: @portoflongbeach

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

How might educational institutions begin to tap into new media tools to support and prepare students? Today we will discuss the importance of understanding the new forms of media being developed and how we can prepare our students to enter this new industry successfully. Founder of Spoken Life Media, Rob Greenlee, is here to fill us in on where education and new media should be overlapping. From valuable skill sets students should learn to school career centers where they can build their personal brands, there is so much potential. We'll break down the implementations needed to meet the demands of new, global media formats so we can give our students the most valuable knowledge possible. By integrating educational materials surrounding online media, like podcasting, we can help students connect to future employers and stay up-to-date with current news and trends.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Rob Greenlee:

Visit robgreenlee.com

Visit www.adorenetwork.com

Listen to New Media Show

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: @Rob Greenlee

Twitter: @robgreenlee

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!

Why don't we hear about more apprenticeship opportunities for students? Today we'll discuss the development of apprenticeships and cover what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to funding, planning, executing, and regulating these programs, and why they're so hard to come by. Digging in deep we'll cover the barriers to apprenticeships and how we can engage and support local employers in order to create more long-lasting apprentice programming. Despite the administrative challenges, creating pathways to trades is crucial for the health, longevity, and sustainability of local communities and the future workforce.

Connect with us:

Visit pasadena.edu/community/economic-workforce-development

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @PCC EWD

LinkedIn: @PCCEWD

Instagram & Twitter: @pccewd

Find the transcript to this episode here

To connect with us about the podcast visit our website

Please be sure to subscribe, rate and review us on apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts!

In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Tracey Pierce, Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), to discuss the transformative work happening within one of the largest municipal utilities in the U.S. Tracey takes us behind the scenes on how LADWP is navigating change, innovation, and workforce development during a time of rebuilding for the city. From adapting to climate challenges to harnessing new technologies like AI, Tracey shares the strategies that are helping LADWP build a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready workforce.

You'll learn:

• How LADWP is preparing for the future through workforce training and development

• The role of AI and automation in transforming the water and power sectors

• How disaster recovery and emergency preparedness are integrated into workforce strategies

• Why LADWP prioritizes community involvement and values its civil service employees

• The importance of partnerships with community colleges in developing a workforce ready for tomorrow's challenges

About the Guest:

Tracey Pierce is the Chief People Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the largest municipal utility in the U.S. She joined LADWP in August 2024, after serving as Senior VP of Learning & Development at CommonSpirit Health. With over 30 years of experience in Human Resources across healthcare, solar energy, semiconductors, and publishing, Tracey has led large-scale transformations, talent development, mergers, and crisis management initiatives. She oversees all HR functions at LADWP, focusing on workforce innovation, strategy, and union relations. Originally from England, she holds an MBA in International Relations and Marketing, a Master of Public Administration, and is a seasoned executive coach.

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

Join our newsletter for more on this topic: ewdpulse.com

Visit: PCC EWD website

More from Tracey Pierce & Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

LinkedIn: @traceypierce

Website: https://www.ladwp.com/

Facebook & Twitter/X: @LADWP

YouTube & Instagram: @LADWP1

Partner with us! Contact our host, Salvatrice Cummo, directly: [email protected]

Want to be a guest on the show? Click HERE to inquire about booking

Find the transcript of this episode here

Please rate us and leave us your thoughts and comments on Apple Podcasts; we'd love to hear from you!