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

Christine Quinn—President and CEO of Women In Need (WIN), former New York City Council Speaker, and one of the city’s most passionate advocates—joins Greg Morris for a conversation on leadership, housing, and what it takes to make change stick in New York City. From her early days organizing and cold-calling her way into the room, to breaking barriers as the first woman and first openly gay Speaker of the City Council, Quinn walks through the moments that shaped her and the urgency that still drives her work today. Now leading the largest provider of shelter and supportive housing for families in the city, she brings both policy savvy and frontline perspective to one of New York’s most pressing challenges. Greg and Chris unpack the myths around homelessness, the reality of raising children in shelter, and the systems that too often keep families cycling instead of stabilizing. They also get into burnout in the human services workforce, the tension between service delivery and advocacy, and why “doing good” isn’t enough if the system itself isn’t working. Along the way, Quinn shares stories from the height of COVID, navigating crisis after crisis, and what it looks like when an entire sector has to improvise in real time and still deliver. There’s strategy, there’s honesty, and yes, there are a few unforgettable one-liners. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: homelessness; housing; advocacy; human services; workforce; public leadership; families; policy; WIN; New York City; systems change

Aldrin Bonilla, Executive Vice President of the Fund for the City of New York, joins Greg Morris for a conversation on public service, data, and what it takes to build stronger communities in New York City. In this first part of a two-part episode, Aldrin reflects on his journey growing up in Washington Heights and the experiences that shaped his commitment to equity, opportunity, and economic mobility. From navigating New York City in the 1970s and 80s to finding his way through community-based organizations and public leadership, Aldrin shares how mentorship, neighborhood, and lived experience influenced his path. The conversation explores the power of civic engagement—from transforming community board recruitment to leading one of the most successful census efforts in the country. Along the way, Greg and Aldrin dig into the role of data in shaping policy, why measurement matters, and how systems can either reinforce or challenge inequality. As the episode closes, the conversation turns to a critical question: if nearly half of New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, what has to change? Part Two will dive into the Fund for the City of New York’s “Overlooked and Undercounted” True Cost of Living brief—and what the data reveals about the growing gap between wages and the real cost of living in New York City today. Stay tuned. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; economic mobility; civic engagement; census; data and equity; public policy; community development; New York City; leadership; systems change

Randy Peers, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, joins Greg Morris for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to build a stronger, more inclusive economy in New York City. From his early days in workforce development to leading one of the city’s most influential business organizations, Randy reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership and why he believes economic development must come first if workforce systems are going to work at scale. The episode dives into the realities facing small businesses today: rising costs, regulatory pressure, and the ongoing challenge of accessing talent. Randy shares how the Chamber responded during COVID-19 by reimagining its role: meeting businesses where they are through direct outreach, launching new funding models for underserved entrepreneurs, and creating platforms to help local makers grow. Along the way, the conversation explores bigger questions about leadership, mentorship, and what it means to build systems that actually empower people. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: small business; economic development; workforce development; entrepreneurship; COVID-19 recovery; BIPOC businesses; leadership; Brooklyn; public policy; economic mobility

In this episode, Greg Morris sits down with Jeffrey Ginsburg, President & CEO of Volunteers of America–Greater New York, to explore the systems driving the city’s housing crisis, and what it will take to fix them. Drawing on his experience in East Harlem and now leading one of the city’s largest human services organizations, Jeff shares how housing instability, education, and economic opportunity are deeply connected. They discuss the barriers that keep thousands of New Yorkers cycling through homelessness, from bureaucratic delays to lack of political will, and unpack VOA-GNY’s “Street to Home” model, an approach focused on getting people into stable housing quickly rather than navigating a fragmented shelter system. The conversation also highlights a central tension: we know what works, yet struggle to scale it. From empty housing units to lessons learned during COVID and progress with veteran homelessness, Jeff makes the case that meaningful change is possible if systems align with urgency and intention. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: homelessness; affordable housing; human services; workforce development; public policy; Street to Home; veteran homelessness; systems reform; economic mobility

What happens after college graduation, and why are so many degree-holders still struggling to find their footing? In this episode, Greg Morris sits down with Kalani Leifer, Founder and CEO of COOP Careers, to unpack the growing crisis of underemployment among college graduates. Drawing from his early experience as a high school teacher in the Bronx, Kalani shares how a promise he made to his students—to work hard, go to college, and secure a path to the middle class—led him to confront a difficult reality: a bachelor’s degree is no longer a guarantee of economic opportunity. Together, they explore why the transition from college to career is one of the most overlooked—and most critical—moments in the workforce pipeline. Kalani breaks down how isolation, lack of social capital, and systemic inequities leave many first-generation and low-income graduates navigating the job market alone, often internalizing structural barriers as personal failure. The conversation dives into COOP’s model, which centers on peer networks, near-peer coaching, and the power of relationships to unlock opportunity. They also discuss the role of employers, the limitations of a “skills-first” narrative, and why building social capital may be just as important as building skills. Finally, Greg and Kalani look ahead to what it will take to scale solutions—from catalytic funding to the promise of Workforce Pell—and how systems must evolve to truly deliver on the promise of higher education. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; underemployment; social capital; college-to-career transition; economic mobility; first-generation college graduates; higher education policy; COOP Careers; Workforce Pell; alumni networks and peer coaching; equity in employment; public-private partnerships.

Greg Morris sits down with Randy Moore, President at CD&R Foundation, for a conversation about leadership, equity, and the role philanthropy can play in expanding economic opportunity. Moore reflects on his journey from teaching in Miami classrooms to working across the country in workforce development, education, and social impact. Along the way, he shares how those early experiences, working with students reading years below grade level and navigating structural barriers, shaped his commitment to building systems that support long-term mobility. The conversation explores Moore’s framework that “access is an event, but mobility is a system,” and what it means to pursue equity through opportunity by investing in ecosystems rather than isolated interventions. Morris and Moore discuss the intersection of philanthropy, private equity, and workforce development, and how organizations can move beyond symbolic commitments to make meaningful investments in communities. Moore also shares personal stories that shaped his leadership philosophy—from the legacy of his grandfather in Jamaica, Queens, to lessons learned as an educator and nonprofit practitioner across the country. Together, they reflect on vulnerability in leadership, the importance of human connection in systems change, and why the next generation must remain at the center of workforce and economic policy. The conversation closes with a reflection on love as an ethic for leadership and systems design and what it means to build opportunity with intention, humility, and a deep commitment to community. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; philanthropy and social impact; economic mobility; equity through opportunity; systems change; private equity and community investment; education and literacy gaps; leadership and storytelling; HBCUs and Wilberforce University; youth opportunity; human capital infrastructure.

Greg Morris sits down with Chris Watler, Co-Chair of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition Board and Executive Vice President of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), for a wide-ranging conversation about what it takes to build a safer, fairer New York—especially for New Yorkers returning from incarceration. Watler traces his path from growing up in Crown Heights to national nonprofit leadership, sharing the lessons that shaped his commitment to service, community, and economic mobility. The discussion digs into why mass incarceration is a policy failure—not a behavior problem—and what real “public safety” looks like when communities have the resources to thrive.' They explore CEO’s evidence-based reentry model, the importance of immediate income and wraparound supports, and how employment, training, and career pathways can reduce recidivism and expand opportunity. Watler also highlights the Reentry Assistance Bill and makes the case for direct financial support at release as a smarter, more humane investment than continued reliance on incarceration. The conversation closes with a look at how city government can better partner with workforce organizations in moments of crisis—from major storms to pandemics—and a reflection on what it would mean to expand the supports that keep families and neighborhoods stable. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; reentry and justice reform; mass incarceration; recidivism reduction; employment and economic mobility; transitional jobs; wraparound supports; Reentry Assistance Bill; community-based public safety; nonprofit–government coordination; NYC affordability and inequality.

Greg Morris sits down with Scott French, Administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), for a conversation about protecting New York City’s safety net at a critical moment. French shares his journey from nonprofit leadership to overseeing an agency that serves more than three million New Yorkers each year. The discussion focuses on the return of expanded federal SNAP work requirements, what they mean for hundreds of thousands of city residents, and how HRA is working with community-based organizations to minimize confusion, prevent benefit loss, and keep families connected to essential wraparound supports. They also tackle common misconceptions about public benefits, the realities of affordability and generational poverty, and recent efforts to better align housing subsidies, homelessness prevention, and workforce systems to support long-term stability. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on public service, accountability, and keeping the safety net strong for New Yorkers who need it most. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: HRA leadership and public service; SNAP; work requirements; protecting food assistance access; affordability and generational poverty; workforce development and benefits systems; housing subsidies and homelessness prevention; strengthening NYC’s safety net.

This week on the NYC Workforce Drop, Greg Morris welcomes New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin for a dynamic conversation on affordability, workforce development, and the city’s economic future. Speaker Menin outlines her vision for a more proactive City Council — from advancing bold affordable housing strategies using public assets like libraries and vacant land, to reforming a broken procurement system that wastes taxpayer dollars. She shares why cracking down on long-term no-bid contracts could free up billions for priorities like universal childcare, a longtime focus of her leadership. The conversation also spotlights the Council’s first-ever Committee on Workforce Development and why connecting workforce strategy to economic growth is essential as New York competes with other cities for jobs and talent. Speaker Menin reflects on her work protecting billions in federal funding through the 2020 Census, expanding access to banking through the Municipal ID program, and creating a Committee to Combat Hate during a historic moment for the city’s leadership. Tune in for a conversation on accountability, expanding opportunity, and building a more affordable, inclusive, and economically competitive New York City. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: proactive City Council leadership and governing vision; affordable housing development using public libraries and city-owned land; tackling NYC’s affordability crisis; procurement reform and eliminating long-term no-bid contracts; fiscal accountability and smarter city spending; universal childcare as economic policy; after-school access and working family support; childcare workforce and facility expansion; launching the City Council’s first Committee on Workforce Development; connecting workforce strategy to economic growth; job creation trends and interstate economic competition; attracting businesses and building tech corridors; protecting federal funding through the 2020 Census; establishing a permanent NYC Office of the Census; Municipal ID and financial empowerment for unbanked New Yorkers; public libraries as trusted civic infrastructure; combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate; interfaith leadership in a historic moment for New York City; long-term leadership and public service resilience.

In this NYC Workforce Drop mini episode, Greg Morris talks with Jeff Brault, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Hornblower Group, about how NYC Ferry invests in training, retention, and long-term career growth for its workforce. Jeff breaks down what deckhand training actually includes, from customer service and ADA accessibility to safety, emergency response, and hands-on learning on active ferry routes. He also explains how ongoing professional development, internal training programs, and mentorship support career mobility, including pathways to captain licensure and advanced maritime roles. The conversation highlights the employer investment required to make workforce development work—and why sustainable training pathways depend on long-term commitment, public–private partnership, and a focus on retention rather than churn. Listen in for a look at how NYC Ferry is building durable maritime careers on New York City’s waterfront. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition

Welcome aboard the NYC Workforce Drop as NYC Employment and Training Coalition CEO Greg Morris sits down with Jeff Brault, Vice President of Global Public Affairs at Hornblower Group, for a conversation about the “blue highway” and why water transit is more than just a scenic commute. Recorded at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Greg and Jeff dig into what makes NYC Ferry feel like the “People’s Yacht,” from skyline views (even in freezing weather) to a strong rider culture. They break down the basics—routes and stops, fares and discount programs, and why the NYC Ferry app can be a game-changer for planning trips. But the heart of the episode is workforce: Jeff shares how NYC Ferry is helping open doors to maritime careers for New Yorkers who’ve never imagined themselves working on the water. Hear how many captains started as entry-level deckhands, what it takes to move up, and why access to waterfront jobs matters in a city with hundreds of miles of shoreline. Plus: the story behind NYC Ferry’s 50 millionth rider, how ferries show up in moments of crisis, and a look ahead to NYC Ferry’s February 10 career fair at Brooklyn Borough Hall as hiring ramps up for the busy season. Whether you ride daily or have never stepped on board, this episode is a deep dive into transit, opportunity, and the future of NYC’s waterfront. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: the “blue highway” and the future of NYC’s waterways; public transportation as workforce and economic development; NYC Ferry routes, fares, and accessibility; reduced-fare programs and transit equity; ferry culture and the “People’s Yacht”; maritime careers and entry-level pathways; deckhand-to-captain career mobility; workforce development on the waterfront; community outreach and hiring across all five boroughs; transit deserts and neighborhood connectivity; ferries in times of crisis and recovery; climate resilience and sustainable transportation; building inclusive public transit systems run by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers.

This episode explores what it means to build a “for-community-benefit” organization for older adults, and what it takes to lead through the intersecting realities of aging, workforce shortages, and persistent ageism in New York City. Greg is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Farber, President and CEO of The New Jewish Home, and his journey from geriatric medicine and academic training to executive leadership. Together, Greg and Dr. Farber trace the organization’s legacy of innovation, from its 19th-century origins to its modern-day role caring for thousands of older New Yorkers each year, while unpacking the deeper cultural forces that shape how society values (or devalues) aging and caregiving. A major throughline is workforce: the urgent need for more caregivers and the systems required to recruit, train, and retain them. Dr. Farber breaks down how SkillSpring evolved from the original Geriatrics Career Development (GCD) program into a fast-growing workforce pipeline, supporting high school students and young adults alike with training, mentorship, wraparound supports, and clear career ladders into roles like CNA, LPN, and beyond. The episode also digs into what “real” workforce development looks like: removing barriers, building social capital, and creating a workplace culture people actually want to stay in. The conversation closes with a reflection on leadership during COVID-19, and what it meant to steward an older adult care system in the heart of the crisis, what the organization learned, and what moments of resilience and purpose emerged even in the hardest days. This episode is a deep dive into aging services leadership: the weight of responsibility, the power of intergenerational connection, and the urgency of building a workforce—and a culture—that honors older adults with the dignity they deserve. Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Topics: aging services leadership and innovation; confronting ageism and redefining “nonprofit”; the caregiver workforce crisis and chronic underfunding; SkillSpring and career pathways from CNA to LPN and beyond; mentorship, wraparound supports, and retention; intergenerational connection as a workforce strategy; leading through COVID-19 in older adult care.

What does it really take to build pathways to economic security, especially in moments of uncertainty? In this mini episode, NYCETC CEO Greg Morris sits down with first-time guest host Courtney Granger for a conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and why the way we talk about “workforce development” may need a serious rebrand. Drawing on her experience across New York City’s education, workforce, and social service systems, Courtney reflects on the power of relationships, place-based hubs, and truly holistic models that meet people where they are--whether they’re young adults disconnected from school, workers navigating instability, or individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Together, Greg and Courtney unpack real-life examples from Courtney’s career, including lessons from The Door and partnerships with major employers, to illustrate how low-barrier, human-centered design can unlock opportunity and dignity. The conversation also looks ahead to Courtney’s next chapter at Project Renewal, and what it means to connect job pathways with stability, care, and long-term mobility, especially for people navigating crisis. Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

In this mini episode, we return to the urgent question at the heart of nearly every workforce conversation: wages—and whether working New Yorkers can actually afford to live in the city they serve. Michelle Jackson, Executive Director of the Human Services Council of New York, joins us again for a discussion about the growing number of wage justice campaigns unfolding across the city and state. From #JustPay to Living Wage for All NY, fair pay for home care, childcare, and beyond, the two unpack what it takes to align movements that share the same goal but often move on parallel tracks. Michelle reflects on the responsibility of coalition leadership in a moment when coordination matters more than ever—why rowing in the same direction (and ideally the same canoe) is essential to building power, avoiding fragmentation, and making real progress toward a true cost-of-living wage. The conversation digs into hard realities, including wage compression, business concerns, subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, and youth, and why those most often left out must be centered in economic justice efforts. The episode also confronts the often-overlooked benefits cliff—how raises can unintentionally put families at risk of losing essential supports—and why imperfect progress is still progress if the sector is willing to move together. Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

This episode explores what it means to lead not just an organization, but a broad, values-driven coalition responsible for shaping systems, policy, and power across New York City’s human services sector. The conversation centers on Michelle Jackson, Executive Director of the Human Services Council, and her leadership journey stewarding collective power at scale. From the early days of large-scale mobilization—most notably the 6,000-person #JustPay rally—to the ongoing responsibility of representing providers, workers, and communities, Michelle reflects on what it takes to responsibly hold power that extends far beyond any single institution. Together, Greg and Michelle dig into the current moment facing human services and workforce advocates: persistent workforce shortages, compensation challenges, and sustainability concerns, all unfolding amid a transition to a new city administration and evolving state dynamics. Michelle speaks candidly about the emotional and strategic weight of coalition leadership—what feels most urgent, what feels most heavy, and what continues to fuel her commitment to the sector. Looking ahead, the conversation turns to what’s next. With a new mayoral administration on the horizon and shifting policy priorities at the state level, Michelle outlines where the human services sector needs to go and how HSC helps chart that path—balancing advocacy, partnership, and accountability while translating shared vision into real, measurable action. This episode is a deep dive into coalition leadership: the joy, the pressure, and the responsibility of building power collectively—and using it to move systems that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day. Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC) Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Topics: coalition leadership and collective power; human services workforce sustainability; the legacy and lessons of mass mobilization; navigating city and state transitions; advocacy at scale; translating shared vision into policy action; responsibility, resilience, and stewardship in movement leadership.