STRIVE

⭐Meet the Powering Progress Panelist⭐

Michelle Armstrong, President of Ares Charitable Foundation, is joining “Resilience as a Workforce Strategy: Our 2026 Summit” on Wednesday, October 21. Here’s what you need to know about Michelle:

- Through the Ares Foundation, supports a global portfolio of nonprofit organizations that promote career preparation and reskilling, encourage entrepreneurship and help strengthen individuals’ understanding of personal finance.

- Led partner engagement and grantmaking at Project Management Institute for the PMI Educational Foundation on behalf of key priorities in youth and education, nonprofit capacity building and workforce readiness globally.

- Was a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, where she specialized in venture philanthropy and high-engagement giving.

🔗 Learn more about Michelle and our full panel: https://hubs.ly/Q04zh_Wp0

⭐ Meet the Powering Progress Moderator ⭐

Laruen Weber, Director of Public Research, The Burning Glass Institute and former The Wall Street Journal reporter, is joining “Resilience as a Workforce Strategy: Our 2026 Summit” on Wednesday, October 21. Here’s what you need to know about Lauren:

- Over her 15-year tenure at the Wall Street Journal, she explored workforce development and skills, the bonds between employers and workers, and the intersection between economic trends and the on-the-ground practices of employers.

- Won awards from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the Newswomen's Club of New York.

- Author of the 2009 book "In Cheap We Trust: The Story of a Misunderstood American Virtue," a cultural history of frugality and cheapness in the United States.

🔗Learn more about Lauren and our full panel: https://hubs.ly/Q04yKhjF0

As Workforce Development Month comes to a close, STRIVE affirms its commitment to the communities we serve all year, and the partners who work alongside us to help advance our mission.

From our students and alumni to our employer and community partners, workforce development is an ecosystem, where each member plays a critical role in advancing economic equity and opportunity for all.

Our purpose is to ensure that everyone can achieve upward mobility and financial empowerment for themselves and their families, no matter what the future holds.

Stronger families. Stronger communities. A stronger economy.

Give $42 for STRIVE's 42 years of impact!

Since 1984, STRIVE has walked alongside people committed to rebuilding their lives, helping them turn "I can't" into "I did," one graduate at a time. Your gift today funds the training, career coaching and wraparound support that makes that transformation possible for driven individuals seeking a fair shot at a brighter future, like Ebony in Birmingham.

Ebony enrolled in STRIVE Birmingham's Sterile Processing Technician training while recovering from a kidney transplant and caring full-time for two young children, one with special needs. Despite these challenges, she persisted. Ebony completed the program, earned her credentials and became the first graduate from her cohort to land a job in the field. Today, Ebony and her family are thriving.

This is the kind of real-time impact your support makes possible.

Donate $42 now: https://hubs.ly/Q04y4JB_0

Can't give today? Share this post. Tell someone Ebony's story. The more people who know what's possible, the more individuals we can reach and help find their path.

The STRIVE New Orleans team recently partnered with the local American Job Center, JOB1 NOLA and Louisiana Works for Walk-In Wednesday: an opportunity for local workforce agencies and community partners to set up, connect with job seekers, recruit participants and promote career and employment opportunities.

Thank you to the City Of NOLA La for recognizing the important role businesses and workforce partners play in strengthening the local economy and quality of life. Through partnerships with qualified employers and workforce organizations, the City works to connect individuals with opportunities and provide resources that support employment and economic growth.

How is AI reshaping the skills that employers seek and that the workforce depends on? Find out at STRIVE’s second annual Powering Progress Summit, “Resilience as a Workforce Strategy: Our 2026 Summit,” on Wednesday, October 21, from 12:00–1:30 pm EST, where national leaders will share strategies for staying competitive as the economy shifts.

- Michelle Armstrong, President, Ares Charitable Foundation
- Roy Castro, STRIVE Board Co-Chair; Founder & CEO, Castro Ventures
- Melissa Hopson, Chief Learning and Workforce Development Officer, Ochsner Health
- Dr. Angela Jackson, Research Director, Future Forward Institute and Researcher and Lecturer, Harvard University
- David Zuckerman, President, Healthcare Anchor Network

💡Access your ticket to new insights in workforce development here: https://hubs.ly/Q04xNXVy0

Last week, we celebrated the newest STRIVE New York graduates from our Career Path, Fresh Start and Future Leaders programs. They now have their certifications in Construction, Maintenance and Certified Medical Administration.

Congratulations to all, and special thanks to our guest speaker Frantzi Juste (Lead OSHA Construction Trainer, Andromeda Community Initiative) for his inspiring words!

Congrats to STRIVE New Orleans Cohorts 12 and 13 for graduating with their Certified Medical Administrative Assistant and Certified Logistics Associate certifications. We look forward to seeing your continued success on your Pathway to Possible!

Thank you to our keynote speaker Patrick Young (National Vice President, Workforce & Economic Development, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.) and our workforce and community partner speakers: Arlanda J. Williams-Smith, PhD (Vice Chancellor, Office of Workforce Development, Delgado Community College) and Ernest Johnson (Director, Ubuntu Village NOLA).

Link in comments to learn more about STRIVE New Orleans.