2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative

Developing a skilled workforce for a region is complicated work. Leaders in this field must have multiple skills to successfully foster their local workforce needs. The 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative, held April 29 – May 2, 2025, is a comprehensive professional development program designed for those engaged in workforce or economic development.

The initiative is designed to build strong, committed and capable leaders who understand the economic conditions of their community and state, and are able to leverage those strengths to capitalize on opportunities as they emerge. It prepares attendees to participate in and lead workforce development boards, engage with economic developers and create initiatives that will further benefit the entire community.

About the Initiative

The four-day program is led by experts in workforce development and economic development, as well as leaders in emerging issues facing these disciplines. It prepares graduates for careers as leaders within workforce development, including positions such as directors of workforce boards, strategic workforce planners, economic developers, job developers, educational leaders, employer consultants and more.

Graduates of the program receive the professional designation of Strategic Workforce Leader (SWL), issued by the Workforce Leadership Institute.

The Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative is a professional training program. Participants enrolled in the program do not receive academic credit for the courses they attend.

The 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative is presented by the Workforce Leadership Institute and hosted by the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University.

Ron Painter
President, Workforce Leadership Institute

Melanie Anderson
Executive Director, Arlington Thrive

North Carolina Advisory Board

Ken Allen
Director of Business Engagement, NC Works Commission

Mark Bernhard, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Continuing Education, NC State University

Marilyn Chism
Director of Programs, Golden LEAF Foundation

Stephanie Deese, Ed.D.
Executive Director, NC Association of Workforce Development Boards

Sarah Hall
Director, Institute for Emerging Issues 

Annie Izod, Ph.D.
Executive Director, NC Works Commission

Thomas White
Director of the Economic Development Partnership, NC State University

Questions?