Advertise on podcast: The NYC Workforce Drop with NYCETC’s Gregory J. Morris

What does it take to turn opportunity from something determined by luck into something every New Yorker can count on? Greg sits down with Richard Buery, CEO of Robin Hood, for a wide-ranging conversation about poverty, workforce development, education, racial equity, public service, and building systems that create real economic opportunity. Rich reflects on growing up in East New York, discovering his passion for service while working with young people in Roxbury, and the path that took him from founding community programs to leading major nonprofits, serving as Deputy Mayor of New York City, and now heading one of the city’s largest anti-poverty organizations. Greg and Rich discuss what New York learned from building Pre-K for All, why stronger leadership and coordination are essential to the city’s fragmented workforce system, and why success should be measured by whether people land good jobs with strong wages, benefits, and lasting opportunity. They also explore the connections among higher education, child care, workforce development, and economic mobility, and why systems designed to expand opportunity must confront persistent racial inequities. The conversation also turns to artificial intelligence and the choices New York City must make as AI reshapes education and the workforce. Rich makes the case for preparing young people to use emerging technology thoughtfully rather than allowing fear of its risks to widen existing opportunity gaps, and reflects on Robin Hood’s efforts to build the long-term resources needed to fight poverty and respond to future crises. Produced by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionFilmed at The Greene SpaceTopics: workforce development; poverty; economic mobility; good jobs; education; higher education; child care; artificial intelligence; racial equity; public service; philanthropy; New York City

How does New York City stay competitive while creating more opportunity for the people who live and work here? Greg sits down with Steven M. Fulop, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City and former Mayor of Jersey City, for a wide-ranging conversation about economic growth, workforce development, housing, public service, and the future of New York City’s economy. Steve reflects on the path that took him from Goldman Sachs to the Marine Corps after 9/11, into elected office, and ultimately through three terms as Mayor of Jersey City. He also discusses his new role leading the Partnership for New York City and how the business community can work more closely with government and nonprofits to strengthen the city. Greg and Steve explore job creation, employer engagement, nonprofit partnerships, child care, housing production, and the policies shaping New York City’s competitiveness. They also examine the growing impact of artificial intelligence on entry-level jobs and why workforce organizations, employers, libraries, and government must work together to prepare New Yorkers for an economy where the skills employers need are changing quickly. Produced by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionFilmed at The Greene SpaceTopics: workforce development; economic development; job creation; artificial intelligence; future of work; housing; child care; nonprofit partnerships; business engagement; New York City economy

What does it mean to represent a community that is continually asked to do more with less? Gregory J Morris (NYCETC CEO) sits down with New York City Council Member Althea Stevens (D-16) as she reflects on more than two decades in youth development and the nonprofit sector, the young people who encouraged her to run for office, and how that experience shapes her leadership as Chair of the Council’s Committee on Children and Youth. Council Member Stevens discusses persistent youth unemployment, expanding year-round employment and work-based learning, and why nonprofit professionals must have a stronger voice in government. They also examine contracting challenges, community investment, and Althea’s decision to oppose a city budget she believes did not provide her district with its fair share. From transportation access and food insecurity to public-private partnerships and collective impact, Council Member Stevens makes the case for a more equitable approach to strengthening Bronx neighborhoods and creating opportunity for the people who live there. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: youth employment; workforce development; nonprofit sector; city contracting; New York City budget; economic equity; community investment; youth development; District 16; the Bronx

Greg sits down with Maria Torres-Springer, President of the Charles H. Revson Foundation and former New York City First Deputy Mayor, for a conversation about public service, economic opportunity, and building a city that works for working people. Maria reflects on growing up in a working-class immigrant family and how those experiences shaped more than two decades of leadership in city government and philanthropy. Greg and Maria discuss the systems that determine whether government can deliver, from procurement and hiring to budgets, technology, and implementation. They also explore why workforce development must be an engine of economic development and how housing, transportation, and child care shape access to good jobs. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: public service; workforce development; economic development; economic opportunity; government effectiveness; housing; public trust; philanthropy; New York City

Greg sits down with New York City Comptroller Mark Levine for a wide-ranging conversation about public service, economic uncertainty, nonprofit infrastructure, and preparing New York City for the next economy. Mark reflects on his path from teaching bilingual math and science in the South Bronx to founding Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union in Washington Heights, serving in the City Council and as Manhattan Borough President, and becoming New York City Comptroller. At the center of the conversation is the city’s economic and fiscal future. Mark and Greg discuss slowing private-sector job growth, rising inequality, the city’s structural budget challenges, and why delayed contracts and payments threaten human services nonprofits and the workers delivering essential services. They also examine how artificial intelligence will reshape New York City’s labor market, from productivity and job creation to large-scale displacement.  Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionTopics: New York City Comptroller; workforce development; artificial intelligence; future of work; nonprofit contracting; human services; city budget; job training; economic mobility; fiscal responsibility

Greg sits down with Lauren Melodia, Director of Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School, for a conversation about child care, affordability, economic justice, and building an economy that works for working New Yorkers. At the center of the conversation is New York City’s child care system and the workers holding it together. Lauren and Greg examine the realities facing home-based providers, many of whom are immigrant women and women of color earning far below a living wage. They discuss the need for wage subsidies, stabilization funding, rental assistance, and contracts that cover the true cost of care. Along the way, they talk universal programs, targeted investment, housing affordability, the Rent Guidelines Board, racial unemployment disparities, immigrant labor-force participation, the Knicks, and the challenge of turning bold policy commitments into systems that work. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; economic justice; Center for New York City Affairs; The New School; child care; early childhood education; family child care providers; universal child care; Child Care Assistance Program; living wages; nonprofit human services; home health care; affordability; housing; inclusive economic development

"Don’t ask what’s needed of you. Find the need and fulfill it.” That idea has shaped Degan Mercado Leopold’s career across social impact, public service, diversity recruiting, philanthropy, politics, and now her work as Chief Partnerships Officer at the New York Jobs CEO Council. In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris sits down with Degan to talk about what it takes to build a workforce system that creates real pathways to opportunity - not just one-off connections. The conversation explores the role of the New York Jobs CEO Council as an employer-led intermediary working across business, education, and talent development. Degan talks about CUNY, New York City Public Schools, work-based learning, internships, early-career hiring, and why public talent pipelines are essential to New York City’s economic future. Greg and Degan also dig into the human side of systems change: the durable skills that often go unnamed, the role of identity and belonging in accessing opportunity, why employer engagement should be treated as core economic infrastructure, and what it will take to build a more coordinated workforce system that gives more New Yorkers real access, real support, and real choices about what comes next. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: New York Jobs CEO Council; workforce development; economic mobility; public-private partnerships; employer engagement; CUNY; New York City Public Schools; career-connected learning; internships; talent pipelines; durable skills; systems change; New York City

What does it take to build a neighborhood people want to be part of? In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris sits down with Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director of the Meatpacking District Management Association, for a wide-ranging conversation about civic life, economic development, housing, public space, politics, and the many ways New Yorkers build power by showing up. Jeffrey reflects on the path that brought him into public service and the conversation explores how relationships, persistence, local institutions, and civic engagement shape what is possible in a city as complex as New York. Greg and Jeffrey talk about the role of community boards, political clubs, campaigns, housing plans, land use, and why losing can teach you how to fight harder for the wins that matter. They also dig into the evolution of the Meatpacking District - from its history as a working market and meat processing hub to its present-day mix of public plazas, historic architecture, restaurants, retail, museums, tech, fashion, nightlife, and nearly 15 million annual visitors. Jeffrey shares how he thinks about public space as an economic development tool, why foot traffic and dwell time matter, and how streetscape projects, cultural institutions, tourism, and major events like the World Cup can help strengthen New York City’s economy. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: Meatpacking District; business improvement districts; economic development; workforce development; public space; civic engagement; community boards; housing; land use; affordable housing; political clubs; campaigns; neighborhood change; tourism; small business; retail; hospitality; public realm; streetscape; Manhattan; New York City; World Cup; civic leadership; local government; community building

“A room and a job to pay for it.” That line has shaped The Doe Fund’s work for nearly 40 years, and in this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris sits down with Jennifer Mitchell, President and CEO of The Doe Fund, to talk about why that idea still matters and what it looks like in practice today. Jen traces the path that brought her to this work: growing up in a family grounded in service, joining the Peace Corps in Nicaragua, discovering workforce development, spending 12 years at The Doe Fund, leading programs at The HOPE Program, and eventually returning to The Doe Fund as President and CEO. The conversation explores the model behind Ready, Willing & Able, The Doe Fund’s signature program supporting men experiencing homelessness through transitional housing, paid work, training, structure, and community. Jen talks about why work can be transformative, why housing is foundational, and why the people closest to the work — including graduates, credible messengers, and staff with lived experience — are essential to building programs that actually meet people where they are. Greg and Jen also dig into the future-facing parts of the work: green jobs, rain gardens, HVAC, solar, climate resilience, supportive and affordable housing, AI, city contracting challenges, and what it means for human services organizations to prepare people for a labor market that is changing in real time. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: The Doe Fund; Ready, Willing & Able; workforce development; homelessness; transitional housing; affordable housing; supportive housing; economic mobility; human services; green jobs; climate resilience; rain gardens; HVAC; solar; AI; nonprofit leadership; lived experience; credible messengers; New York City; public service; city contracting

Greg sits down with Angie Kamath, Dean of the NYU School of Professional Studies, for a conversation about career pivots, higher education, workforce systems, and what it really means to keep growing in a changing economy. Angie brings a career path that spans the private sector, nonprofit leadership, New York City government, CUNY, and NYU, and with it, a deeply practical view of how people move through work, get stuck, start over, and find new momentum. She reflects on her early days in banking, her first workforce role at StreetWise Partners, her time leading Per Scholas New York, and her years at the Department of Small Business Services during moments of crisis and recovery for the city. At the center of the conversation is Sidetracked: The Hidden Crisis in Mid-Career Professional Economic Mobility, a new report from NYU SPS and the Burning Glass Institute examining why so many mid-career workers experience career stall.  and why that stall is a structural problem, not a personal failure. Angie and Greg unpack what the report reveals about wage growth, title progression, skills, job changes, and the interventions that can help workers keep moving forward. They also discuss the role of higher education in an era of rising costs and shifting expectations, the importance of short-term and targeted training, the value of first jobs, the danger of tracking young people too early, and why lifelong learning has to become a normal part of working life. Along the way, they talk City Bikes, marathons, public speaking, social media, leadership, AI, career navigation, immigrant-family expectations, the Knicks, and the simple reminder that if you feel stuck, you are not alone. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; economic mobility; NYU School of Professional Studies; Burning Glass Institute; Sidetracked report; mid-career workers; career stall; higher education; career pathways; lifelong learning; upskilling; reskilling; public administration; AI; leadership; job mobility

Greg sits down with Ayesha George, Executive Director of STRIVE New York, for a conversation about leadership, second chances, career pathways, and the deeply human work of helping New Yorkers move toward economic mobility. Ayesha shares how her journey began in Michigan, where athletics opened a door to college and helped shape the discipline, competitiveness, and resilience that continue to guide her work today. She reflects on the throughline of her professional life: connecting people to opportunity, helping families and communities navigate systems, and making sure individuals have the support they need to keep moving forward. The conversation explores STRIVE’s approach to workforce development, including career readiness, occupational credentials, job placement, wellness supports, and lifetime support for graduates. Greg and Ayesha also discuss STRIVE’s work with New Yorkers facing significant barriers to employment, including justice-impacted individuals, young adults, underemployed workers, and people reentering the workforce after long periods away. Ayesha highlights the importance of employer partnerships, especially in healthcare, construction, and maintenance, and talks about STRIVE’s expanding work in Brooklyn . Along the way, they talk basketball, pandemic-era lessons, nonprofit leadership, government funding, unions, wage equity, and why workforce development must be treated as a core part of New York City’s economic future. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionTopics: workforce development; economic mobility; STRIVE; STRIVE New York; reentry; justice-impacted individuals; career readiness; job training; occupational training; wraparound supports

Greg sits down with Miquela Craytor, Senior Advisor (former interim Executive Director, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation (SBIDC), founder of Craytor Strategies, for a conversation about planning, power, environmental justice, industrial policy, and what it takes to build real economic opportunity in New York City. Miquela reflects on her path from Oregon to New York, from waiting tables and working as a corporate paralegal to becoming a planner, advocate, and economic development leader. She shares lessons from her time at Sustainable South Bronx, NYCEDC, NYC Small Business Services, and her current work supporting climate and industrial-sector clients through Craytor Strategies. Her work has included environmental justice, the South Bronx Greenway, industrial policy, advanced manufacturing, workforce strategy, stakeholder engagement, and helping legacy businesses connect to emerging opportunities in offshore wind, building electrification, and the green economy. Greg and Miquela also dig into the complicated work of community engagement: how good ideas can fail when communities are not heard, why trust and truth-telling matter, and how development projects can better connect infrastructure investment to local jobs. Along the way, they talk about the Bronx, Brooklyn’s working waterfront, green jobs, worker cooperatives, housing, manufacturing, climate resilience, developers, public-sector decision-making, and why environmental justice and economic justice must be understood as deeply connected. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionTopics: workforce development; economic development; environmental justice; economic justice; green jobs; climate jobs; industrial policy; manufacturing; offshore wind; building electrification; South Bronx; Brooklyn waterfront; community engagement; urban planning; worker cooperatives; New York City; infrastructure; inclusive growth; small business; Craytor Strategies

Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, joins Greg Morris for a conversation about restaurants, nightlife, small business survival, and what really happens behind the scenes in one of New York City’s most beloved industries. From hard-to-get reservations to rising labor costs, health inspections, outdoor dining rules, liquor licenses, and the future of nightlife, Andrew breaks down the pressures facing the city’s restaurants and bars, and why the hospitality industry remains such a powerful engine for jobs, culture, and community. Greg and Andrew also dig into what makes hospitality work so special: the people. Andrew reflects on growing up in his family’s bakery, learning the rhythm and rigor of restaurant work, and why everyone might benefit from spending some time in a kitchen or dining room. Along the way, they talk robots, regulation, workforce training, community boards, 4 a.m. licenses, minimum wage debates, and why New York’s small businesses need policies that help them thrive. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: hospitality; restaurants; nightlife; small business; workforce development; New York City; economic development; labor costs; regulation; community boards; outdoor dining; liquor licenses; minimum wage; restaurant jobs; small business advocacy

Anthony Barrows, Executive Director of ⁠Lift New York⁠ and longtime advocate for economic justice and systems reform, joins ⁠Greg Morris⁠ for a conversation about poverty, public systems, and the role community plays in helping families thrive. Drawing on his own experiences growing up in public housing in Boston, navigating foster care, and relying on social support systems as a young person, Anthony reflects on how these experiences have shaped his work and worldview. Now leading Lift New York, he focuses on helping families build economic mobility through coaching, direct cash support, and community-centered approaches rooted in what Lift calls “Hope, Money, and Love.” Greg and Anthony discuss the realities of chronic scarcity, the importance of lived experience in shaping policy, and why dignity and trust must be central to anti-poverty work. They also explore the long-term impacts of welfare reform, lessons learned during the pandemic, the challenges facing immigrant and working families in New York City, and what meaningful systems change could look like under a new administration focused on economic justice. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: economic justice; poverty; foster care; public benefits; workforce development; family support; behavioral science; lived experience; economic mobility; community building; social policy; New York City

Brian Aquart—Vice President of Workforce & Community Education at Northwell Health, host of the Why I Left podcast, and founder of Storyline by Kingswood—joins Greg Morris for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and building clearer pathways into healthcare careers. From arriving in New York after the 2008 financial crisis and navigating early-career setbacks to leading workforce education initiatives at one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, Brian reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to mentorship, storytelling, and opportunity creation. At Northwell, his work focuses on expanding access to healthcare careers through partnerships with NYC Public Schools, FutureReadyNYC, the Northwell School of Health Sciences, and MedVoyage. Greg and Brian explore the role healthcare systems can play as anchor employers, the importance of early career exposure for young people, and how workforce development can create lasting economic mobility for underserved communities. They also discuss career transitions, failure, and why storytelling matters in helping people see where they belong. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; healthcare careers; economic mobility; public education; leadership; mentorship; storytelling; FutureReadyNYC; Northwell Health; career transitions; New York City