The Future Of Work

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.

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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]

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Find the transcript of this episode here

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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.

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

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @PCC EWD

LinkedIn: @PCCEWD

Instagram & Twitter: @pccewd

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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.

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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!

What does it take to rebuild one of the most complex regional economies in the world, while also preparing for the 2028 Olympics and a rapidly evolving workforce? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, to explore how LA's business community is leading through disruption, rebuilding with intention, and reimagining what workforce development can look like. Maria shares why she believes the Chamber must be a "caretaker of the region," how public-private partnerships are critical to long-term resilience, and what an employer-led approach to workforce development means in practice.

You'll learn:

• What the LA Chamber actually does and how it balances business needs with community well-being

• Why rebuilding LA means investing in policy, preparedness, and people

• How the "Get in the Game" initiative is helping small businesses compete for Olympic contracts

• What employer-led workforce development looks like

• Where business and education leaders still need stronger alignment to support the future of work

About the Guest:

Maria S. Salinas is the President & CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the largest business association in LA County, representing over 235,000 businesses. Since becoming the first woman and first Latina to lead the Chamber in its 132-year history, she has championed a reimagined vision: "A Thriving Region for All." Under her leadership, the Chamber focuses on advocacy, global engagement, and community collaboration to drive inclusive economic growth. A seasoned business leader and advocate, Ms. Salinas serves on numerous boards and commissions, including appointments by Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Eric Garcetti, and represents LA in state and national policy efforts.

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More from Maria S. Salinas & Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

LinkedIn: @mariassalinas

Website: https://lachamber.com/

Instagram, Twitter/X , Facebook: @LAAreaChamber

LinkedIn: @los-angeles-area-chamber-of-commerce

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!

When global tariffs go into effect, how long before the impact hits workers in Los Angeles? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo welcomes back Dr. Noel Hacegaba, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Long Beach, to discuss how one of the country's busiest ports is helping to rebuild L.A.'s economy. He unpacks how the supply chain crisis pushed ports from being practically invisible to absolutely essential, and what lessons are driving the next chapter. From zero-emissions goals to workforce pipelines, Dr. Hacegaba shares how the supply chain crisis turned ports from invisible to essential, and how the port is now investing in people, partnerships, and innovation to keep the economy moving.

You'll learn:

• What the supply chain crisis taught port leaders about resilience, visibility, and coordination

• How the Port is investing $3.2 billion in clean infrastructure and digital modernization

• How tariff policy and global trade decisions ripple through local jobs and LA's economy

• Why "goods movement is the economy in motion," and what that means for every Angeleno

About the Guest:

Dr. Noel Hacegaba is the Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Long Beach, the nation's second-busiest seaport, where he oversees daily operations and long-term strategy. He led the Port's response to global supply chain disruptions and is currently spearheading its digital transformation through the Supply Chain Information Highway. With over 26 years of experience in both public and private sectors, including managing a $200 million portfolio at a Fortune 500 company, Dr. Hacegaba brings deep expertise in logistics, infrastructure, and economic development. He holds degrees from USC and a doctorate from the University of La Verne, and serves on multiple national industry boards.

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More from Dr. Noel Hacegaba & Port of Long Beach

LinkedIn: ​​@dr-noel-hacegaba

Email: [email protected]

Websites: http://www.polb.com/

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Youtube:@PortOfLongBeach

Linkedin: @port-of-long-beach

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!

What if rebuilding a community starts with belonging? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Victor Dominguez, the first Latino President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, to explore how the Y is redefining itself as a Center for Community Well-Being. With over two decades of service, Victor shares how the YMCA responded to the Eaton fires, expanded programs like the Foster Youth Initiative, and is measuring long-term impact through powerful social indicators. Victor unpacks how nonprofits can anchor recovery efforts, why youth development and civic engagement go hand in hand, and how the Y is building more than community programs, it's building futures.

You'll learn:

• Why the YMCA's fire recovery response goes beyond immediate aid—and is still ongoing

• How the Foster Youth Initiative provides stability, consistency, and a sense of belonging across 28 YMCA centers

• What it means to serve 500,000 Angelenos—and what's next for reaching millions more

• How the YMCA is measuring its impact through five social determinants: belonging, civic engagement, education equity, health equity, and economic stability

• Why nonprofits must move beyond transactional service to transformational, data-driven community change

About the Guest:

Victor Dominguez is the President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and the first Latino to lead the organization. With over 24 years of service, he has championed community-driven initiatives like the Foster Youth Program and the Center for Community Well-Being, positioning the Y as a vital force in disaster response, youth development, and regional resilience. Known for his commitment to equity and belonging, Victor leads with the belief that nonprofits should not only serve but transform the communities they represent.

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More from Victor Dominguez & YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Websites: https://www.ymcala.org/

Instagram, Twitter/X, & YouTube: @ymcala

Facebook: @ymcalosangeles

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!

What if recovery isn’t just about rebuilding—but reimagining? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo sits down with Leslie Thompson, Director of Operations at Pasadena City College’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, to discuss how community colleges can become anchors in times of crisis. As LA County recovers from devastating wildfires, they explore how PCC activated everything from FEMA partnerships to workforce training programs to meet immediate needs. They also cover how PCC is preparing for the long game. Salvatrice and Leslie break down what it means to respond with both heart and strategy. It’s not just about restoring what was lost, it’s about building a more resilient, future-ready region.

You’ll learn:

• How Pasadena City College mobilized resources within days to support displaced students, families, and businesses

• What the PCC for DINA initiative is doing to bridge the gap between short-term recovery and long-term workforce transformation

• Why small business support is central to economic recovery, and how PCC’s SBDC and Women’s Business Center served over 1,000 businesses in weeks

• Which high-demand industries (think: skilled trades, construction, hazmat, and more) are seeing a surging need, and how community colleges can train for them

• Why flexibility, partnerships, and creative solutions are the future of disaster response and regional resilience

Engage with us:

LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook: @PasadenaCityCollegeEWD

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

Visit: PCC EWD website

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!

What if the biggest barrier to success in tech isn't access, but mindset? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo talks with Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, about what it truly takes to thrive in an AI-driven world. Tara unpacks why resilience and adaptability are just as vital as technical skills, how simulation-based learning can reshape education, and why women are most at risk of being left behind. Together, they explore how community colleges, mentorship, and real-world problem-solving can unlock opportunity for all. The future of work isn't just about tech, it's about who's empowered to shape it.

You'll learn:

• Why AI literacy starts with confidence, not code, and how to build both.

• How educators can move beyond "toy problems" and toward real-world innovation.

• What emotional and cognitive resilience look like in a rapidly evolving workforce.

• How women are being left behind in fast-growing tech sectors, and how to fix it.

• Why simulation learning may be the most powerful classroom tool we're not using.

About the Guest:

Tara Chklovski is the founder and CEO of Technovation, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and underserved communities through technology education. With a background in physics and aerospace engineering, she transitioned from academia to social entrepreneurship to address the gender and racial disparities in STEM fields. Tara has helped over 130,000 students across 100+ countries build confidence, tech skills, and purpose. Her work has been recognized by Forbes, the UN, and the White House, and she continues to lead global conversations on how education and innovation intersect to shape a more inclusive future of work.

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More from Tara Chklovski & Technovation

Websites: https://www.technovation.org/

LinkedIn: @tarachk

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!

What if volunteering, raising kids, learning on the job, and real life experience counted just as much as a college degree? In this episode of Future of Work, Dr. Salvatrice Cummo talks with Parina Parikh, Associate Vice President overseeing Job for the Future's strategic presence in California, about what it really means to create a workforce that works for everyone. Parikh shares how community colleges, competency-based learning, and credit for real-world experience can help close opportunity gaps. She also redefines what makes a "quality job," stressing equity, mobility, and belonging, and how small businesses can help lead the charge. Join us to discover how you can be a part of building a new and better workforce standard for the future.

You'll learn:

• How inclusive workforce programs start with inclusive design, and what that means in practice.

• Why regional strategies are essential to solving California's workforce and housing challenges.

• How community colleges are at the forefront of credentialing outside traditional classrooms.

• What Jobs for the Future is doing to help small and mid-size employers offer quality jobs.

• Why "everything counts" and how your non-traditional experiences are more valuable than you think.

About the Guest:

Parina Parikh is an Associate Vice President overseeing Jobs for the Future's strategic presence in California. She has responsibility for business development and fundraising, cultivating relationships and partnerships, and building workforce and inclusive economic development initiatives.

As a leader who is committed to equity, inclusion, and a holistic approach to workforce development and inclusive regional economies, her focus is on leading and advancing JFF's work in California, supported by a team of 20+ California-based colleagues. Before joining JFF, Parina was Vice President of Programs at San Diego Workforce Partnership. She created and executed innovative workforce solutions across San Diego County overseeing programming in information and communications technology, energy construction and utilities, healthcare and behavioral health, public administration and advanced manufacturing.

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More from Parina Parikh & Jobs for the Future

Websites: https://www.jff.org/

LinkedIn: @parina-parikh

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 school-to-prison pipeline is a complex and damaging system that disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly people of color. This pipeline refers to the policies and practices that push students out of school and into the criminal justice system, creating long-term impacts on individuals and communities. Quan Huynh, Executive Director of Southern California at Defy Ventures, exemplifies the power of second chances. While in prison, he discovered his entrepreneurial spirit and started Jade Janitors after his release from a 22-year prison sentence in 2015. Formerly incarcerated individuals face overwhelming challenges in education, employment, and housing, making fair chance hiring practices essential for their reintegration into society. By giving second chances, companies can help break the cycle of recidivism and create paths to stability and success.

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More from Quan Huynh:

Visit https://quanxhuynh.com/

LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, & X: @quanxhuynh

More from Defy Ventures:

Visit https://www.defyventures.org/

LinkedIn: @defy-ventures

Instagram: @defy_ventures

Facebook & X: @DefyVentures

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