Class of 2023-2024

The Fellowship is built to advance our shared goal of unlocking opportunity for America’s workforce.

Introducing the 2023-24 Education and Career Mobility Fellows

The Education and Career Mobility Fellowship supports dedicated professionals who manage and administer talent development programs, recognizing the unique challenges and diverse backgrounds they bring.

This Fellowship — which is offered by UpSkill America in partnership with Guild — is designed for mid-career professionals, offering a chance to learn, grow, and build a strong network.

Fellows will gain:

  • Deeper understanding of levers for career mobility and economic opportunity, education and upskilling strategies, and effective program design
  • Insights from national experts and direct connections with corporate learning and HR leaders, fostering best practices and exploring future career paths.
  • A trusted network of peers facing similar challenges, enabling faster problem-solving and shared learning.

This program empowers fellows to thrive in their career, develop leadership skills, and influence the future of education and workforce development.

For questions, please contact UpSkill America Associate Director Chelsea Miller at chelsea.miller@aspeninstitute.org

Della Adams

Frontline Learning Manager, Tyson Foods

Connect on LinkedIn


Dan Ahern

Global Learning & Development Lead Consultant, Allstate

Connect on LinkedIn


Joanna Anderson

Director of Career Development, USAA

Connect on LinkedIn


Ian Bridges

Principal Program Lead for Education Strategies, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Connect on LinkedIn


Vashti Canty

Program Manager, Equity Strategy, Delta Air Lines

Connect on LinkedIn


Jennifer Cardillo

Senior Project Manager, Enterprise Learning, Citizens

Connect on LinkedIn


Stacy Delapenha

Talent Senior Strategy Analyst, M&T Bank

Connect on LinkedIn


Christina Huang

Manager, Learning & Development, Mastercard

Connect on LinkedIn


Tuqwan Jordan

Director of Talent Acquisition, Wellstar Health System

Connect on LinkedIn


Quincy Kissack

Learning & Talent Specialist, U.S. Venture

Connect on LinkedIn


Nadya Lakirovich

Principal Learning Consultant, Discover Financial Services

Connect on LinkedIn


Dorian Mastrogany

Hazel Health

Connect on LinkedIn


Evan McQuirns

Sr Consultant, Global Learning and Leadership Development, Aramark

Connect on LinkedIn


Chelsea Miller

Director, Education Portfolio and Opportunity, Walmart

Connect on LinkedIn


Fred Papp

Leadership and Development Manager, WM

Connect on LinkedIn


Darlene Perkins

Program Manager, Rocket Central

Connect on LinkedIn


Rosie Reyes

Director, Learning & Development at Baptist Health South Florida, Baptist Health

Connect on LinkedIn


Becky Ruban

Executive Director of Learning and Development, Wellstar Health System

Connect on LinkedIn


Paula Seward

Senior Manager, Continuing Education, Hilton

Connect on LinkedIn


Michael Shellabarger

Manager of Talent Development, Love’s Travel Stops

Connect on LinkedIn


Emily Sjodin

Lead Talent Management Consultant, Target

Connect on LinkedIn


Christina Sternhell

Manager, Organizational Learning, LCMC Health

Connect on LinkedIn


Courtney Vandiford

Principal: Store Support and Special Projects, Whole Foods

Connect on LinkedIn


Insights from the Fellowship

Blog Posts

Announcing the 2024 Class of Education and Career Mobility Fellows

In partnership with Guild, UpSkill America is proud to support the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship. We would like to announce the 2024/25 fellows and the second cohort.

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Second Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

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.

Blog Posts

The Fellowship Effect: Lessons in Success from the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

But can I brag a minute about these Fellows? Because we may have provided the packaging, but THEY are the gift.

Blog Posts

Education and Career Mobility Fellowship Program Overview Update: 2024-25

By investing in and supporting early- and mid- career professionals, we invest in and support the long-term health and growth of this movement that is transforming lives while creating business value.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Canary in the Coalmine: Are We Teaching the Wrong Skills?

By fostering intergenerational conversations with Gen Z, we can harness the collective wisdom of diverse perspectives.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Mind The Gap: Leadership Development and Workforce Development

The iconic London Underground warning, “Mind the Gap,” holds a new significance for organizations striving for growth.

Placeholder
Blog Posts

Developing for the Long Game

The future of American competitive success hinges on a strong, skilled workforce.

Blog Posts

Important and Hard Work

Blog Posts

Announcing the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

The Fellowship is a professional development and peer learning opportunity designed specifically for corporate education and career mobility program professionals.

About Guild

Guild is a Career Opportunity Platform that enables forward-thinking employers to invest in their employees, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching. Visit www.guild.com

About UpSkill America

UpSkill America, part 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. Connect with us on LinkedIn and learn more at upskillamerica.org.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

Join Our Mailing List

Click below to receive email notifications about our work, including publications, events, commentary, fellowships, and more.

Connect on Social Media

Click below to follow us on the platform of your choice.

More from UpSkill America

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Maturity Levels

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Implementation

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Blog Posts

How Do We Get There?

If we want to change how people prove their skills and find jobs, and how employers identify and advance talent, we need a system that makes skill records digital, verifiable, and easy to share.

Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Metrics

Measuring the impact of upskilling is crucial for demonstrating its value and driving continuous improvement.

Announcing Our New Upskilling Playbook

UpSkill America’s new Upskilling Playbook is a strategic guide for organizations to build, scale, and integrate skills-based workforce development initiatives that drive business performance and career growth.