NASWA Annual Conference: A Catalyst for Workforce Innovation

The recent NASWA Annual Conference in New Orleans was an exceptional gathering of workforce agency leaders from across the nation. With nearly 1,100 attendees from across the country, it was an incredible opportunity for workforce leaders to come together and share insights on how we can better serve our communities through innovative solutions. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Fast Enterprises, LLC for sponsoring this year’s event.

As a board member of Region 9, and re-elected for 2024-25, I am excited about the collaborative opportunities to drive Employment Development Department ’s modernization effort benefitting Californians.

One of the most significant benefits of NASWA is the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with peers from diverse states and jurisdictions. The discussions on state modernization efforts were especially insightful, providing a clear view of how we can advance our initiatives while avoiding common pitfalls. It's through this exchange of knowledge that we can truly elevate workforce development programs nationwide.

I’m excited about the work we are doing at EDD to build customer-focused modernization through #EDDNext, and I look forward to continuing these critical conversations with workforce leaders nationwide as we all work toward a shared vision of progress.