Investing in Chicago's Future: Connecting Talent from Underserved Communities

Full Episode Description

About the Guest(s): Mark Hoplamazian Mark is the President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, a company where he has served for over 16 years. As a long-term Chicagoan, he proudly considers the city his home and the base for raising his family. Mark has taken on the role of Chairman at Skills for Chicagoland's Future, intertwining his corporate expertise with his dedication to empowering diverse workforce development. Pam Tully Pam Tully is the Chief Program Officer for Skills for Chicagoland's Future. With a dynamic background straddling both the for-profit and nonprofit realms, Pam carries over thirty years of experience. She specializes in leading extensive engineering organizations, as well as honing in on program development and social enterprises. Her role at Skills makes her an integral component of the organization's mission to connect the underemployed from disadvantaged communities with meaningful employment. Daniel Cervantes Daniel is the Senior Vice President of National Expansion and Strategic Initiatives for Skills for Chicagoland's Future. Involved with the organization for nearly 13 years, his focus lies in disseminating the Skills model across the nation, aiming for broad-scale impact. Daniel’s passion for providing equitable job access is pivotal to the organization's pursuit of reaching 25 cities over the next ten years. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of "Growing Your Business with People," we are introduced to three distinguished guests from Skills for Chicagoland's Future and Skills for America's Future. The episode accentuates the comprehensive support structures provided by Skills, including tailored guidance, demand-driven talent matching, and bespoke training programs catering to the specific needs of partnering corporations. Its data-driven approach and empathy-based ethos powerfully bridge the gap between marginalized communities and thriving business opportunities. Key Takeaways: Demand-Driven Talent Programs: Skills for Chicagoland's Future tailors its programming to meet the specific workforce needs of corporations, promising a deep understanding of both job roles and company culture. Community-Based Partners: Skills engages local organizations to form a network that effectively penetrates neighborhoods with high unemployment, thereby connecting companies with untapped local talent. Diversity in Workforce: Incorporating diverse talent from underserved communities drives corporate success and enriches the cultural composition of organizations. Employer-Tailored Guidance: Skills provides not only skilled talent but also preps candidates about the cultural alignment necessary to thrive within partnering organizations. National Expansion: The Skills model, with its proven success, is on a trajectory to be replicated in 25 cities over the next ten years, reflecting a commitment to dismantle employment barriers nationwide. Notable Quotes: "You can't help but have deep admiration and also respect for the effort that they put into doing what they're doing." - Mark Hoplamazian "The pool of people shrinks, it really puts corporations in a position where it's a business imperative almost for them to be looking at people who have transferable skills." - Pam Tully "We believe that our work is not done until everyone has equitable access to a quality job." - Daniel Cervantes "By tapping into and giving people access to be able to fulfill those hopes and dreams through a career that just means so much." - Jeff (Host) Resources: Skills for Chicagoland's Future: https://www.skillsforchicagolandsfuture.com/ Skills for America's Future: https://www.skillsforamericasfuture.org/ Hyatt Hotels Corporation: https://www.hyatt.com/