The Changing Landscape of Work

Ms. Norington-Reaves is the Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. As a CEO and change agent, she led the merger and re-structuring of three diverse workforce systems into what is now the nation’s most extensive workforce system managed by a non-profit administrative agency. Ms. Norrington-Reaves leads The Partnership’s mission to ensure that “every person has the skills to build a career and every business has the talent it needs to compete in a global economy.” A recognized thought leader on the national stage, she has served as a keynote speaker, panelist and presenter at a host of conferences, and convenings.

Dr. Cormier conducts qualitative research on workforce development, developmental education reform, teaching and learning, faculty learning and engagement, and student experiences at community colleges. She currently directs the Exploring the Implications of Rapid Technological Change on Community College Workforce Training project in collaboration with MIT and the Aligning Community College Credit and Noncredit Workforce Education Programs: An Examination of Emerging Practices in partnership with the Capital One Foundation. Dr. Cormier holds a Ph.D. in educational policy studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her dissertation examined the relationship between institutional and cultural understandings of education and community-based learning. 

Mr. Cruz has been working in his family’s business that specializes in restoring residential and commercial properties that are affected by fire, flood, or storm damage since he was 10 years old. In 2001, he became the President and 100% stockholder of J.C. Restoration, Inc. located in Rolling Meadows, IL.  With over 100 completed commercial losses under his belt ranging from famous Chicago high-rises such as Chicago’s IBM building to hospitals, food manufacturing plants and multi-unit apartments all over the country, Mr. Cruz has developed key systems in successfully completing and collecting on large losses.

Mr. Rafael Malpica is the Director of Community and Guest Relations at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital. Good Shepherd Hospital partners with Harper College as a clinic site for Harper students completing the Registered Nursing program. Previously, he was the Manager of Community Affairs for Walgreens in Deerfield. While at Walgreens, and was instrumental in developing the focus on national diversity relationships.  Mr. Malpica was also a member of the planning committee for international programs such as Red Nose Day USA and Walgreens “Get a Shot, Give a Shot” campaign. His volunteer experience includes Chair of the Board for El Valor, Chair of Healthier Barrington Coalition, and Board member for BStrong Together.

Ms. Mannes is vice president, impact partnerships, at Jobs for the Future (JFF). She helps catalyze partnerships and programs that further JFF’s mission and impact in the field.  Before joining JFF, Ms. Mannes worked at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she launched the Center for Workforce and Industry Partnerships. Previously, she served as senior vice president for workforce and economic development at the American Association of Community Colleges and as the managing director of workforce development at the National Retail Federation Foundation. Her goal is to change the paradigm of how we prepare for and think about work by taking risks and putting ideas into action.

Mr. Nelson is Vice President of Education and Workforce Policy for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association.  In that role, he serves as Executive Director of the IMA Education Foundation and the association’s education and workforce policy initiatives.  Previous to joining the IMA in 2003, Mr. Nelson served as a Legislative Liaison in various Illinois administrative agencies serving three Illinois governors over a 25-year span. He is a licensed private pilot and recently retired as an Illinois High School and NCAA soccer official.