Tamara Fields is the U.S. Public Service Industry Lead at Accenture, where she leads the company’s public service work across the country, and the managing director of the company’s Austin, Texas office. VEDP Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Fields about new and traditional methods of upskilling, AI and its effect on the workforce, and the way companies can invest in their employees.

Peter Beard is vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where he leads workforce development programs and initiatives. VEDP Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Beard about talent in Virginia and the rest of the country and the ways states and regions can help ensure alignment between skill development and employer needs.

Joe Dunlap is a veteran of the supply chain industry, with stints at UPS, Accenture, and CBRE. VEDP Vice President of Logistics Eric Jehu spoke with Dunlap about the warehousing ecosystem in Virginia and nationally, how to better incorporate supply chain issues into site selection, and the concept of warehousing as infrastructure.

Stephen Edwards has served as CEO and executive director of The Port of Virginia since 2021. VEDP Vice President of Logistics Eric Jehu spoke with Edwards about improvements at the port, how trade policy affects the port and its customers, and how the port serves as an economic engine for Virginia.

Michelle Williams is the new talent and digital strategies program manager at the Roanoke Regional Partnership (RRP), and Julia Boas headed up the RRP’s talent strategies until recently taking over as director of business investment. VEDP Talent and Workforce Strategy Leader Megan Healy spoke with Williams and Boas about what the Roanoke Region is doing to attract and retain talent.

Andy Edmunds is the director of the Virginia Film Office, an arm of the Virginia Tourism Corporation tasked with expanding the motion picture industry in Virginia. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Edmunds about the ins and outs of the film industry in Virginia and the economic impact of film production.

Brad Medairy is executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, a Virginia-based Fortune 500 company where he leads the national cyber account and focuses on the cyber missions of national-level clients. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Medairy about the key cybersecurity issues his company works on for its clients and the future of cybersecurity with the rise of AI and quantum technology.

Candice Ling is senior vice president at Microsoft and head of the company’s federal government business unit. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Ling about Microsoft’s cybersecurity work with the federal government and potential future developments in the cybersecurity industry.

Brett Vassey is president and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association, which supports manufacturing operations across the Commonwealth. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Vassey about his organization’s mandate and efforts, the most important workforce and skills considerations for the industry, and what manufacturers look for in a site.

Drake Goolsby is the chief commercialization officer at Luna Labs, a Charlottesville-based company that helps develop advanced technologies in biotech, advanced materials, and engineered systems for government, military, and industrial clients. VEDP Vice President of Manufacturing Sneha Atwal spoke with Goolsby about Luna Labs’ research activities.