The Glendale Chamber of Commerce will host an Education and Workforce Readiness Now and For the Future forum.

The event starts at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, 9495 W. Entertainment Blvd., where breakfast will be served.

This inaugural event and collaboration with education partners will address various junctures of education and workforce initiatives, promote better partnerships for educational and training experiences, and create opportunities while strengthening ties to the business community, a press release states.

The event will feature two panels of community education leaders, innovators, and stakeholders who will discuss ideas for shaping the future of K-12 education. They will address workforce challenges faced by employers and educators, along with the need for an integrated approach to create and maintain the necessary amount of skilled, educated workers to meet the job demand in Glendale and the West Valley.

The K-12 panel will include Dr. Jennifer Cruz, Pendergast Elementary School District superintendent, as moderator; Cindy Segotta-Jones, Glendale Elementary School District superintendent; Dr. Jason Reynolds, Peoria Unified School District retired superintendent; Brian Capistran, Glendale Union High School District superintendent; and Dr. Scott Spurgeon, Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) superintendent.

The Higher Education & Workforce Panel includes Kelli List, Charley's Sports Grill, Charley’s at the Lakes, and Saguaro Grill owner, as moderator; Dr. Todd Sandrin, ASU West vice provost; Lauri Perdue, National Workforce Director at University of Phoenix; Marilynn Babyar, WestMEC director of student services; Dr. Lorelei (Lore) Konopka, Glendale Community College interim vice president of academic affairs; Dr. Joshua C. Baker, Midwestern University Glendale campus senior vice president and chief academic officer.

“We look forward to hosting this event with thought-provoking discussions that will be vital to strengthening the education system and aligning it to the future of Glendale’s labor market and economy,” says Glendale Chamber President and CEO Robert Heidt.

(Photo provided by Glendale Chamber of Commerce)

“We look forward to hosting this event with thought-provoking discussions that will be vital to strengthening the education system and aligning it to the future of Glendale’s labor market and economy,” Robert Heidt, Glendale Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, shared in a press release.

Cost is $35 to attend the breakfast forum, and it’s open to education professionals, business leaders, community members, and anyone with an interest in the community’s future of education and workforce readiness.

Click here to register.

For sponsorships call 623-937-4754 or email Shea Torres at storres@glendaleazchamber.org.