2025 Connecticut Workforce Summit: Developing Future-Ready Talent

The way we learn, work, and develop skills is undergoing transformational change, demanding innovative solutions that prepare both employees and employers to successfully address future challenges.

Based on some estimates, over half the jobs today’s students will hold five years from now currently don’t exist. Will the skills being taught today become obsolete within a few years? How do we adapt and navigate this rapidly changing environment? 

The 2025 Connecticut Workforce Summit brought together business, education, government, and nonprofit leaders to discuss rapidly evolving talent needs and the programs and initiatives that will create long-term, sustainable career pathways.

Dr. Michelle Weise, author of the bestselling book Long Life Learning: Preparing for Jobs That Don’t Even Exist Yet, offered thought-provoking insights, helping attendees understand hurdles and opportunities—and what’s needed to make those opportunities a reality.

We also reviewed current Connecticut workforce initiatives and programs, with perspectives from participants and employers, to assess skills development and success rates—with an emphasis on what’s needed to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing job market.

The summit shined a spotlight on artificial intelligence—examining the way this technology is transforming Connecticut’s workplaces and economy, with tools and insights for developing the workforce to meet that challenge.

Agenda

8 am | Check-In & Networking Breakfast

9 am | Welcome Remarks

• Chris DiPentima, President & CEO, CBIA
• Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Chief Workforce Officer, Office of Workforce Strategy
• Ryan Drajewicz, Chair, Governor’s Workforce Council; Head of External Affairs & Communications, Bridgewater Associates 

9:30 am | Preparing for Jobs That Don’t Even Exist Yet

• Dr. Michelle Weise, CEO, Long Life Learning Strategies, LLC

10:15 am | Talent Talk: Transforming Healthcare Pathways

• Rosemary Sheehan, EVP & Chief People Officer, Hartford HealthCare

10:30 am | Networking Break

10:45 am | CareerConneCT: What We’ve Learned & Pathways Forward

• Moderator: Kelli-Marie Vallieres
• Caterina Passoni, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Director, Havenly
• Yolanda Rivera, Executive Director, Connecticut State Building Trades Training Institute 
• Scott Wilderman, President & CEO, Career Resources, Inc. (We Rise)

11:30 am | Talent Talk: Accelerating Manufacturing Careers

• Marcia LaFemina, President & CEO, Penn Globe

11:45 am | Networking Lunch

12:45 pm | Talent Talk: Opportunity & Access

• Mariana Monteiro, Chief Opportunity Officer, Office of the Governor

1 pm | Career Pathways: Program Participant Perspectives

• Moderator: Shannon Marimón, Executive Director, ReadyCT
• Aaron Charles, University of Connecticut, Class of 2028
• Adrienne Henry, Central Connecticut State University, Class of 2026
• Randy Ramdin, Waterbury Career Academy, Class of 2025 
• Shamir Ramsingh, Weaver High School, Class of 2025
• Moise Zebie, North Atlantic State Carpenters Union Local 326 

2 pm | Talent Talk: Developing Digital STEM Skills

• Mario Acosta-Velez, VP, Local Engagement & Corporate Social Responsibility, Verizon

2:15 pm | AI in the Workplace: Reinventing Talent Development

• Moderator: Pablo Prieto, Partner, McKinsey & Company
• Michael Grande, President & CEO, Vancord
• Sal Marino, Head of Business Development, Charles IT
• Tekla Moquin, Skills to Jobs Lead—Americas & Asia-Pacific, Amazon Web Services

3 pm | Adjourn