Last month I reached a milestone — five years of leading the National Fund. In 2020 I stepped into the role of CEO as many new leaders do, filled with excitement and anticipation for what we could achieve together. What I didn’t anticipate was how dramatically the world would change just weeks into my tenure. Again, this was 2020, so you know what happened next — PANDEMIC.
The pandemic disrupted every aspect of life, in many ways exacerbating the racial and economic disparities our mission aims to address and forcing organization like ours to shift into “chaos mode.” It certainly wasn’t the way I expected to start out this gig! It goes without saying that leading in that moment was an immense challenge. But steering through that chaos to today has also been a profound privilege.
Leading Through Uncertainty
In many ways, it feels like we never quite emerged from operating in chaos mode. While one emergency fades into history, another rises in its wake. These five years have been a lesson in resilience and adaptability. Any work anchored in equity is never easy, and progress is rarely linear. What has kept me grounded is the unwavering dedication of our National Fund team and our Network Partners, who continually rise to every challenge, shifting with the tide. We have learned to embrace uncertainty, recognizing that transformative change requires persistence even when the path forward is unclear.
The Importance of Valuing and Supporting the People Behind the Work
“I found my people” is something I’ve heard more than once from members of our Network throughout my time here at National Fund. It makes my heart smile to think of what’s behind those words. To know that the professional space the National Fund curates for our Network Partners garners a sense of community and connection truly makes me feel like we are doing something right.
One of my favorite times is whenever we have a chance to gather together with our Network Partners. We come together for a little fun while also learning about what’s happening on the ground in the local communities represented by our Network. It’s a time for peer learning and professional growth, and a time to nurture connections built over years of involvement with the National Fund. This year there were a lot of big feelings in the room — from very real concerns about budgets to wondering if we can stay the course on our mission with so many headwinds blowing against us.
The work is hard, and so many things outside of our control make it harder sometimes. Spaces where the people that power the engine of workforce development can not only learn, but also feel heard, valued, and appreciated are necessary to the work.
The “how” of our strategy focuses on convening and inspiring people by celebrating wins and learning from setbacks. Helping to spark changes in thought and action by creating practical tools and coaching that help people work better. Then, embracing and boosting learning from the people who are working hard in communities to create a better workforce for everyone.
Taking Stock − in the Midst of the Chaos, We’ve Accomplished Much Together
Reflecting on the last five years, I marvel at what we’ve accomplished through the chaos. Despite all the challenges swirling around us, we’ve built tremendous momentum for our mission. In 2020 as the pandemic raged, we published the first of our Advancing Workforce Equity reports. It made the case that workforce equity must be at the center of building our economic future, and demonstrated how even “best practice” workforce programs can leave people behind. It represented the insights of disaggregated data and the transformative power of local leadership, design, and influence. Since then, recognition of the need to advance equity in workforce has surged, opening doors for bold conversations and innovative partnerships.
We’ve deepened our engagement with industry leaders, educational institutions, and workforce organizations — helping to shape thinking and practice around systems, career navigation, and job quality. Through various initiatives, we developed a research-backed approach to workplace practice change centered in employee engagement — using tools like our Job Quality Outcome Maps and HCD guide for workplaces. Our original research on career navigation led to a compelling mini-documentary series along with an innovative set of career journey maps that is helping the field think differently and shift narratives about the work we do.
Looking Ahead
Today, we find ourselves in another challenging moment. The political landscape has shifted, and efforts to advance equity — particularly in the workplace — are facing increased scrutiny and opposition. Across the country, policies once designed to promote inclusive practices are being challenged, and organizations like ours must navigate an environment where our work is sometimes misunderstood.
Yet, we remain steadfast. We can’t always control the chaos around us, but we can control our response. I can proudly say that the National Fund and our Network Partners continue to meet the moment.
We have a new strategic plan to anchor and guide us that builds on all the great work we’ve done. We’ll be working hand in hand with our Network Partners to push for lasting changes in policies and practices by tackling systemic barriers outside of the workplace, transforming career navigation and training systems, and activating employers to improve job quality.
