Talent Forward Waco: Education to Workforce Forum
2025 Talent Forward Waco | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | ESC Region 12 | 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Talent Forward Waco: Education to Workforce Forum is an annual gathering designed to foster collaboration between the education and business communities.
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 7th
Why Attend the Forum?
Greater Wacoā€™s strategic workforce challenge is meeting the demand of current and future business and industry as our economy continues to grow and evolve. Amidst the ever-changing landscape of the workforce, strong alignment between the business and education communities is critical to sustain economic growth and advance economic mobility in our region.
Join the Greater Waco Chamber as we bring together business, education, and workforce development organizations to network, share ideas, and learn best practices to ensure our region continues building the skilled workforce needed now and into the future.
Schedule
8 a.m. Breakfast and Networking
8:15 a.m. Program Kick-Off and Welcome
Rachel Martinez and Andrea Lail, The Greater Waco Chamber Workforce and Talent Team
Matt Meadors, President & CEO of The Greater Waco Chamber
8:30 a.m. Keynote Address
Hope Cotner is President & CEO of the Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD), a national nonprofit whose work helps stakeholders across the career pathways ecosystem strengthen industry-education partnerships to ensure learners are armed with the academic, technical, and employability skills they need to be successful in an evolving global economy. She has authored more than 30 professional development toolkits and guides and co-authored two books on career pathways. She serves on the Board of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers, served as Chair for the Institute of Education Sciencesā€™ Expert Panel on Postsecondary CTE and was a career pathways subject matter expert for the Presidentā€™s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership 2.0 Steering Committee. A frequent national speaker on career pathways and industry engagement, Hope also serves as co-principal investigator of the National Science Foundation project Pathways to Innovation.
9:00 a.m. Fireside Chat
Jason Young, TYMCO
Matt Meadors, Greater Waco Chamber
9:20 a.m. Session 1 Panel: Highlighting Changes in Education and Training
Jessica Attas - Prosper Waco, CEO
Kacey Darnell - TSTC WorkSITE, Vice President and Senior Executive Director
Stephanie Maultsby - McLennan Community College, Director, Continuing Education
Lisa Saxenian - Waco ISD, Director of Career and Technical Education
Jess Wheeler - Midway ISD, Executive Director of State and Federal Programs
Moderator: Andrea Lail - Greater Waco Chamber, Director of Workforce and Talent
9:50 a.m. Networking Break
10:00 a.m. Round Table Discussions: The Changing Landscape of Career Preparation
10:20 a.m. Session 2 Panel: Cultivating a Talent Pipeline
Fernando Arroyo - Waco Family Medicine, Chief People Officer
Travis Fanning - Central Texas Iron Works, Director of Human Resources
Daniel Maeyaert - Fallas Automation, Vice President of Operations
Janise Ochoa - Capstone Mechanical, Vice President, Human Resources
Moderator: Clay Springer - Sturdisteel, Chief Operating Officer
10:55 a.m. Round Table Discussions: Soft Skills Development and Retention
11:15 a.m. Networking Break and Lunch
Lunch Provided
11:35 a.m. Session 3 Panel: Listening to Student Voices
Bethany Ryan, Lorena ISD
Tucker Smith, Midway ISD 2025 Graduate
Isaiah Tavera, Waco ISD
Betty Sue Williams, Clifton ISD 2025 Graduate
Moderator: Cory Dickman, Director, Triple Win Waco and Owner, Rogue Media
12:10 p.m. Session 4 Virtual Interview: Technical Scholar Program
Whitney Long - ITW Hartness, Human Resources Manager
Rachel Martinez - Greater Waco Chamber, Senior Director of Workforce and Talent
12:35 p.m. Round Table Discussions: Next Steps
12:55 p.m. Closing Remarks and Survey
Thanks to Our Sponsors
