Announcing Thursday Summit Series Exploring Talent Pipeline & Cities of Learning

We're excited to share a special series of summit sessions scheduled for Thursday, March 7. This programming explores topics surrounding the talent pipeline and cities of learning with mayors, a university president, and education leaders from across the country.

This programming spans beyond the education field to also impact the technology and business communities. SXSW registrants will have access to attend and participate in this unique program, giving SXSW EDU registrants an opportunity to connect with a new community as well.

Summit programming will take place in the Hilton Austin Downtown on the 6th floor.

Explore the programming below and stay tuned for additional summit news as the event approaches.

Building Talent Pipelines Through City Ecosystems

Thursday, March 7 from 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon K

We live in a time of rapid change. How the next generation learns, expresses themselves, socially and civically engage and what motivates them is shifting dramatically. Join this workshop to explore new approaches to building talent pipelines designed with the city as the core unit rather than educational institutions alone. We will be joined by civic and higher ed leaders as well as entertainment and design experts to discuss creating workforce solutions for the 21st century.

Connie Yowell - CEO, Collective Shift/LRNG
Paul LeBlanc - President, Southern New Hampshire University
Rob English - CCO, Friends At Work
Tom Vander Ark - CEO, Getting Smart

Catalyzing Innovation for the Future of Learning

Thursday, March 7 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon h

What actions should be taken to ensure every child and community thrives in the face of rapid change? This panel will explore forces of change shaping the future and will consider zones of innovation that can be leveraged to help prepare learners and communities for what’s next. Participants will hear from funders and implementors who are responding to and leveraging changes on the horizon to catalyze and sustain education innovation from the community to the classroom level.

John Garcia III - Program Officer, California Community Foundation
Charmaine Mercer - Program Officer, Education, Hewlett Foundation
Tyler Samstag - Director of Instructional Innovation, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Jason Swanson - Director, Strategic Foresight, KnowledgeWorks

Mayors, Youth, & the Fate of Cities

Thursday, March 7 from 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon J

Local leaders recognize that if they don’t attend to youth outcomes, their cities have little chance of success economically, socially, or civically. Hear from mayors that are taking up the mantle to change the odds for youth in order to increase social mobility in their communities, a Denver demo on how to move systems into the 21st Century, and ideate with participants on coordinating people, using data to drive decisions, and making smart investments in children and youth.

Eva Colen, Senior Policy Advisor for Youth Initiatives, City of Richmond Mayor's Office
Jorge Elorza - Mayor, Providence, RI
Shane Bemis - Mayor, Gresham, OR
Lisa Piscopo - Deputy Director of Policy & Analysis, Office of Children’s Affairs, City & County of Denver, CO
Elizabeth Gaines - Founder & Director, Children’s Funding Project

Rethinking Education as We Live & Work Longer

Thursday, March 7 from 11:00am - 12:00pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon H

The future of work is changing. As the skills needed for new jobs being created by new technology evolve, we're living longer and working longer. There are now more people in the U.S. over 50 than there are under 18. 63% of adults 60-64 still work, 40% of adults 65-69 still work. How do we tap into this talent pool and re-skill the greying workforce for the rapidly-changing nature of work for their benefit - how do we give them meaningful, purpose-driven jobs - and for the benefit of society?

Jane Oates - President, WorkingNation
Ramona Schindelheim - Editor-in-Chief, WorkingNation
Gary A. Officer - President & CEO, Senior Service America
Trent Stamp - CEO, The Eisner Foundation

Talent Development Strategies for Social Impact

Thursday, March 7 from 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon H

Corporations play a central role in talent development and lifelong learning. Join us as we look under the hood at innovative development programs that help workers learn and advance in a changing labor economy. Explore how leading companies set strategy, fund the work, coordinate with regional partners, and leverage cutting-edge technology to drive impact. We'll also discuss how these investments benefit more than just workers -- they benefit businesses, communities, and the economy at large.

David Soo - Chief of Staff, JFF
Marie Davis - Managing Director, National Employer Partnership, Penn Foster
Andrew Dunckelman - Head of Economic Opportunity, Google.org
Kristy VanAlstyne - Director JetBlue Scholars Program, JetBlue

Businesses Helping Build a Healthcare Talent Pipeline

Thursday, March 7 from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Hilton Austin Downtown - Salon H

The Healthcare Workforce Alliance of Central Texas is a community-sponsored and industry and education led group that exists to collectively address the workforce needs of the healthcare industry in Central Texas. Join representative members to access lessons learned in both policy and practice as they work to solve systemic talent pipeline challenges for entry- and career-level healthcare workers in the area.

Tamara Atkinson - - Chief Executive Officer, Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board
Sheila Fata - Chief Nursing Executive, HCA St David's
Garrett Groves - VP, Business & Industry Partnerships, Austin Community College District
Geronimo Rodriguez - VP, Diversity & Community Outreach, Ascension Seton

SXSW EDU 2019 speakers (t-b, l-r) Connie Yowell, ayor Shane Bemis, Rob English, Paul LeBlanc, Jane Oates, and Mayor Jorge Elorza.