Friday, October 11, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Are you ready for the future of work? Conclave 2024 kicks off with a powerhouse Future of Work session focused on developing the future workforce and implications for preparing the next generation of workers.
A panel of thought leaders representing workforce and economic development will discuss the evolving workplace landscape, share the skills employers want, and consider opportunities to bridge the gap between education and business. Read more about our panelists below:
Fredrick’s Bio:
Fredrick J. Martin, MBA, MCA, is an accomplished Organizational Transformation Executive and the current AVP of HR for the University of Kentucky HealthCare. He has a proven track record of creating business value and driving sustainable change across highly competitive and complex environments.
Fredrick is a top-performing business leader who specializes in leveraging a company’s core strengths to facilitate transformation and maximize cultural potential while expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion. With extensive experience in leading cross-functional teams across human resources and external operations, he consistently delivers game-changing cultural shifts, optimizes team performance, and enhances the employee experience.
He possesses a unique mix of strategy, innovation, and process excellence, which he utilizes to develop and implement effective strategies that improve practices, enhance operational performance, and achieve sustainable and measurable results. As a certified Master Change Agent (MCA) with expertise in Digital Adoption, Human-Centered Design, and Workday Value Realization, Fredrick is the go-to executive for those seeking to navigate and prepare for the future of work.
Opal’s Bio:
Opal M. Brant is an experienced talent strategist with nearly two decades of experience in HR and workforce development. She leads the development of K-12 talent pipeline strategies, bridging the gap between industry and education to facilitate innovative solutions for experiential learning opportunities.
With a strong focus on creating access and exposure to in-demand, high-growth careers that serve as economic drivers for the region, Opal collaborates with industry leaders and educators to cultivate inclusive talent pipelines. She pilots scalable initiatives that empower partners to enhance their capacity to support learners and integrate real-world experiences into classrooms, driving transformative change in Central Ohio’s workforce.
Opal ensures the seamless integration of industry-led learning experiences across various educational settings by fostering closer collaboration between non-profit partners and school districts. Her initiatives create multiple opportunities for industry engagement with youth during school hours and out-of-school activities, promoting a holistic approach to talent development that aligns with the region’s economic needs.
Adam’s Bio:
Adam Lukoskie is SVP, NRF, and executive director of the NRF Foundation. In this role, he leads all major programs, including the RISE Up training and credentialing program and university initiatives, communications, content, fundraising and the board of directors. He ensures alignment between the NRF Foundation and the National Retail Federation on advocacy priorities, workforce issues and research, and develops strategies, programs and activities to help the NRF Foundation provide the skills and resources people need for life-changing careers.
Prior to the NRF Foundation, Adam spent 10 years in multiple leadership roles at Teach For America, one of the nation’s top education nonprofits. He also worked directly with students at the YMCA and a secondary school in London.
He volunteers as a precinct captain for the Washington, D.C., Board of Elections, as a tutor for Higher Achievement, and serves breakfast at N Street Village. He is on the Board of Director of DECA Inc., and serves as Chair of DECA’s National Advisory Board.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, leadership and management from the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.) and a master’s degree in business administration from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. He studied abroad in China, England, Germany, Morocco, South Korea, Tanzania and Ukraine.
Adam grew up in a small farming community in northern Wisconsin. He currently lives in Washington, D.C., with his partner James and five-year-old pit bull Nollie.
Colleen’s Bio:
Colleen McConahay is an accomplished leader with over 32 years of experience with Nationwide in the Financial Services industry, including more than 25 years in varying leadership positions. Her leadership expands a variety of business functions including, associate experience, people development, project management, underwriting, policy services and general management.
As a Certified Business Coach (CBC) Colleen leads a leadership development program where she provides coaching, mentorship, programing, and project oversight for the participants as they prepare for their first or next level leadership role. Colleen routinely conducts organization-wide associate focus group discussions to keep a pulse on the associate experience ensuring it aligns with our strategy and mission.
Colleen is the Experience Leader for Nationwide’s FSPA (Financial Services Professional Apprenticeship) Program. FSPA is a foundational earn and learn program in partnership with Nationwide, Columbus State Community College and Columbus City Schools designed to foster pathways for diverse talent into the financial services industry. The FSPA program focuses on a whole person experience that often expands outside of career and academics.
Colleen holds a BS in Human Resource Management from Franklin University. Additionally, she holds the FLMI (Fellow, Life Management Institute) and RCC (Registered Corporate Coach) designations. She is active in 10 Nationwide ARG’s (Associate Resource Groups) where she is continually growing and learning about experiences outside of her own, while providing support and allyship in a variety of spaces.
Colleen was awarded the inaugural Nationwide CEO Community Impact Award in 2023 for contributions within her community. She remains very active in the community providing long term support to: All People’s Fresh Market, Hillard Food Pantry Plus, Hilltop YMCA, LSS Pantry, Honor Flight Columbus, Clear Creeks and Byways and Habitat for Humanity, among others.
Workforce 2030: Employing Gen Alpha session host