Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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Announcing the 2024 Class of Education and Career Mobility Fellows

October 1, 2024
Education and Career Mobility Fellowship, UpSkill America, and Economic Opportunities Program

UpSkill America of the Aspen Institute and Guild are proud to announce the second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship, a unique development program designed to support HR professionals in their efforts to build effective programs, connect opportunities, and create positive outcomes for employees across the workforce and the businesses that employ them.

“We are thrilled to welcome this new class of talent into the community,” said UpSkill America Senior Director Haley Glover. “It has been so exciting to see corporations stepping up to support their entire workforce—particularly those on the frontline—through relevant, well-designed upskilling programs. By investing in these Fellows, we are investing in and supporting the long-term growth of the upskilling movement, which is transforming lives while creating business value.”

The Fellowship is created in partnership with Guild, a national leader in opportunity creation for America’s workforce, helping employers to attract and retain top talent, and build the workforce of the future through education and skilling. Participating Fellows will connect with experts on a range of issues, including human resources, corporate learning and development, higher education policy and systems, academic innovations, and state and federal policies.

“This cohort is an amazing group of people who are poised to make a difference for the workforces they support, and for their communities,” said Glover. “We are honored to have the opportunity to support them and to continue elevating the committed, caring professionals working to bring education and career mobility to employees across the country.”

Press Release

The 2024-25 Education and Career Mobility Fellows are:

  • Lauren Allen – Manager of Workforce Development, OSF HealthCare
  • Kirsten Andersen – Sr. Team Member Development Architect, University of Maryland Medical Center
  • Kieran Blanks – Principal, The Blankslate Group
  • Kimberly Douglas – Sr. Advisor, Learning and Leadership Development, The Cigna Group
  • Marissa Ellis – Director, Education & Opportunity, Global Talent & Learning, Walmart
  • Jamie Greene – Lead Consultant, Financial Well-Being, Target
  • Tina Lam Walon – Director of HR Projects and Strategic Programs, Baptist Health
  • Maggie Lowenberg – Consultant, The Regis Company
  • Shelby Lyons – Senior Manager, People, iBusiness Funding
  • Jacqueline Martinez – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Senior, Meta
  • Chima Mbadugha – Project Director, Duke Corporate Education
  • Michelle McGrail – PM II Tech Learning, Amazon
  • Meredith Moore – Sr. Manager, Early Talent Hotel Operations, Hilton
  • Jonathan Pulley – Sr. Program Manager, Rocket Community Fund
  • Ana Rader – Director of Seasonal and Fellowship Recruitment, DREAM Charter Schools
  • Jarron Rice – Regional Head of Talent Practices & Learning Solutions, John Deere
  • Kelsey Roberts – Director of Program Management, Forage
  • Nahiem Rodriguez – Program Manager of Specialty Talent Development, Main Line Health
  • Andrea St. John – Program Manager of Specialty Talent Development, Rocket Companies
  • Jude Watson – Impact & Insights Program Manager, Business Insights Team, Cisco Networking Academy
Meet the New Cohort

About UpSkill America

UpSkill America, an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program, supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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