From left to right: Nancy Yazmin Ibarra, Martin Nava, Elsie Salamanca Martin Nava Executive Director Corazon Community Services Nancy Yazmin Ibarra Managing Director Corazon Community Services Elsie Salamanca Workforce Development Program Manager Corazon Community Services Corazon Community Services, an impact-driven community organization, is reshaping how Cicero youth are obtaining gainful employment. In this interview, Elsie Salamanca, Martin Nava, and Nancy Ibarra, share

Michael Chiappetta Director of US Financial Services Business Operations & The US Apprentice Network Champion Accenture Meet Michael Chiappetta, a strategic leader at Accenture and a driving force behind the firm’s pioneering Apprenticeship Program. What began as a five-person pilot in Chicago has grown into a national movement, with Accenture hiring over 2,500 apprentices to date. As a founding leader of the Chicago Apprentice Network, Michael has been instrumental in scalin

Richard Klawiter Partner (Retired) DLA Piper Rich F. Klawiter is the former Vice Chair of Real Estate at DLA Piper. After working at the firm for 31 years, Rich is now continuing his commitment to social good as a fellow at the University of Chicago's Leadership and Society Initiative. Continue reading to learn how one cold call from a colleague led to a multi-year workforce success story between DLA Piper and Chicago CRED. What was your role at DLA Piper? I was a partner a

Gernell Turner Senior Coordinator of Workforce Initiatives Chicago Transit Authority Almost since her start in January 2024, Gernell has spearheaded the Citywide Career Fair and developed it into the multi-agency effort that it is today. For jobseekers, the fair is a groundbreaking event that brings together 60+ employers and thousands of sustainable wage career opportunities within in-demand industries; for employers, the fair serves as a great way to tap into Chicago’s unde