Program Schedule - Download Conference Program (pdf)
 

8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. –Registration and Breakfast Buffet

8:30 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions – Opening Speakers (U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, County Executive Andrew Spano)

8:50 to 9:20 - Keynote Speaker Rae D. Rosen, senior economist and an assistant vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York speaking on labor and workforce trends, regional economic climate and projections for the future.

Interactive Roundtable Discussions

Each registrant may attend two different Interactive Roundtable Discussions. The roundtables will be offered beginning at 9:30 a.m. and repeated (not continued) at 10:45 a.m. Each roundtable will feature a group of expert panelists, who will present background information. Moderators will facilitate a conversation to encourage participants to ask questions, identify priority issues and challenges, suggest strategies, ideas or models, and define action steps. Information and feedback from these discussions will be form the basis for a publication of the forum proceedings.

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Session One - Interactive Roundtable Discussions

10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. – Break

10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. – Session Two - Interactive Roundtable Discussions (repeat of Session One)
 

Roundtable 1

Work Locally, Compete Globally - Building the Regional Skilled Workforce
As Westchester County and its business community look forward to growth and opportunity, creating a skilled labor force that will rise to its demands remains a primary challenge. This panel will explore the role of immigrants in this new labor market and the advantages of expanding the capacity of the skill sets of the labor force to increase the competitive edge of Westchester’s newest workers.

Panelists
Jon B. Schandler, President & CEO, White Plains Hospital
John M. DeMarco, Senior VP and Corporate Counsel for Lowe Enterprises
Timothy Indiveri, Section Manager, Recruitment, Con Edison
Dr. Peter A. Creticos, President and Executive Director of the Institute for Work and the Economy and Senior Research Associate at Northern Illinois University Outreach

Roundtable 2

Access to Success – Higher Education, Language and Literacy
How do we ensure that our region remains a vital engine in today’s “knowledge-based economy”?

Join representatives from educational and business institutions as they outline strategic responses to educating, training and cultivating tomorrow’s skilled labor force. Find out how K-12 school systems are preparing students and what changes are in store for higher education and ESL programs.

Panelists
Dr. Suma Kurien, Director, LaGuardia Community College Center for Immigrant Education and Training
Howard Smith, Superintendent of Schools, Tarrytown

Tara Colton, Associate Research Director, Center for an Urban Future

Roundtable 3

Economic Development - Innovation and Partnerships for Business, Education and the Community
Westchester and Fairfield County businesses, colleges and nonprofits are preparing to partner in the Department of Labor’s multi-million dollar WIRED project (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) to develop the leadership, vision, and strategies to compete globally. Through a public/private partnership, Westchester Community College’s new Gateway Center will provide educational opportunities for thousands of students and workers. How can your organization participate in and profit from new partnerships?

Panelist(s)
Christopher Bruhl, Head of the Business Council of Fairfield

Julian L. Alssid, Executive Director, Workforce Strategy Center

Dr. Timothy Dowding, Connecticut Information Technology Institute (CITI), University of Connecticut

Roundtable 4

Immigration Policy and Legislation – Creating Policies that Work
Obtaining clear, objective information regarding immigration policy and legislation is key for leaders in the business community. Engage with legislators and policymakers as they discuss the development and implementation of comprehensive solutions to the challenge posed by immigration and its effects on the business community.

Panelist(s)
Bill Mooney, Westchester County Association

Chung-Wha Hong, Executive Director, The New York Immigration Coalition

Robin Bikkal, Senior Partner, Silverman, Bikkal & Sandberg LLP

Roundtable 5

The New Talent Pool – Diversity, Leadership and International Professionals
The face of America’s labor force is changing dramatically. How will these diverse professionals re-shape our traditional business models and how can our institutions be more responsive in cultivating new leadership? Discover ways to leverage your talent pool and successfully incorporate global professionals into the workplace.

Panelists
Manuel Boado, CEO of the bilingual recruiting firm SPANUSA
Nikki Cicerani, Managing Director, Upwardly Global
Elizabeth McIsaac, Executive Director, Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)

Roundtable 6

Cost of Living - Building the Infrastructure for the New Workforce
In today’s competitive marketplace, attracting and retaining skilled workers often hinge on the strength of a region’s infrastructure and variables such as housing costs and accessible public transportation. Explore ideas for how businesses could work with community or government resources to address the challenges of bridging the gap between the salaries and cost of living.

Panelists
Brian Nickerson, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Administration at Pace University and Director of the Edwin G. Michaelian Institute for Public Policy & Management
Jerry Mulligan, Westchester County Planning Commissioner
Isabel Villar, Executive Director, Centro Hispano

12 noon – Lunch begins

12:30 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. - Roundtable Summary – Key Issues, Strategic Themes and Vision

12:45 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. - Keynote Speaker Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation speaking on how diversity will enrich the leadership of tomorrow

1:15 to 1:30 p.m. – Dr. Joseph N. Hankin, President of Westchester Community College, speaking on how the college will prepare tomorrow’s workforce, and the role of the Gateway Center

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