Class of 2023-2024

The Fellowship is built to advance our shared goal of unlocking opportunity for America’s workforce.

Applications are now open for the class of 2025-26! Click here to learn more.

Introducing the 2023-24 Education and Career Mobility Fellows

The Education and Career Mobility Fellowship supports dedicated professionals who manage and administer talent development programs, recognizing the unique challenges and diverse backgrounds they bring.

This Fellowship — which is offered by UpSkill America in partnership with Guild — is designed for mid-career corporate education and talent professionals, offering a chance to learn, grow, and build a strong network.

Fellows will gain:

  • Deeper understanding of levers for career mobility and economic opportunity, education and upskilling strategies, and effective program design
  • Insights from national experts and direct connections with corporate learning and HR leaders, fostering best practices and exploring future career paths.
  • A trusted network of peers facing similar challenges, enabling faster problem-solving and shared learning.

This program empowers fellows to thrive in their career, develop leadership skills, and influence the future of education and workforce development.

For questions, please contact UpSkill America Associate Director Chelsea Miller at chelsea.miller@aspeninstitute.org

Della Adams

Frontline Learning Manager, Tyson Foods

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Dan Ahern

Global Learning & Development Lead Consultant, Allstate

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Joanna Anderson

Director of Career Development, USAA

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Ian Bridges

Principal Program Lead for Education Strategies, Chick-fil-A, Inc.

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Vashti Canty

Program Manager, Equity Strategy, Delta Air Lines

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Jennifer Cardillo

Senior Project Manager, Enterprise Learning, Citizens

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Stacy Delapenha

Talent Senior Strategy Analyst, M&T Bank

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Christina Huang

Manager, Learning & Development, Mastercard

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Tuqwan Jordan

Director of Talent Acquisition, Wellstar Health System

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Quincy Kissack

Learning & Talent Specialist, U.S. Venture

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Nadya Lakirovich

Principal Learning Consultant, Discover Financial Services

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Dorian Mastrogany

Hazel Health

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Evan McQuirns

Sr Consultant, Global Learning and Leadership Development, Aramark

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Chelsea Miller

Director, Education Portfolio and Opportunity, Walmart

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Fred Papp

Leadership and Development Manager, WM

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Darlene Perkins

Program Manager, Rocket Central

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Rosie Reyes

Director, Learning & Development at Baptist Health South Florida, Baptist Health

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Becky Ruban

Executive Director of Learning and Development, Wellstar Health System

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Paula Seward

Senior Manager, Continuing Education, Hilton

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Michael Shellabarger

Manager of Talent Development, Love’s Travel Stops

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Emily Sjodin

Lead Talent Management Consultant, Target

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Christina Sternhell

Manager, Organizational Learning, LCMC Health

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Courtney Vandiford

Principal: Store Support and Special Projects, Whole Foods

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Insights from the Fellowship

group of Fellows
Blog Posts

Moving Beyond a “Marriage” to Education

Last week, our second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship gathered in Indianapolis for their third and final seminar. Over three days of discussion and collaboration, a clear theme emerged: the growth our fellows experienced was fueled by the power of their collective.

Blog Posts

Announcing the 2024 Class of Education and Career Mobility Fellows

In partnership with Guild, UpSkill America is proud to support the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship. We would like to announce the 2024/25 fellows and the second cohort.

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Second Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

UpSkill America of the Aspen Institute, and Guild are proud to announce the second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship, a unique development program designed to support HR professionals in their efforts to build effective programs, connect opportunities, and create positive outcomes for employees across the workforce and the businesses that employ them.

Blog Posts

The Fellowship Effect: Lessons in Success from the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

But can I brag a minute about these Fellows? Because we may have provided the packaging, but THEY are the gift.

Blog Posts

Education and Career Mobility Fellowship Program Overview Update: 2024-25

By investing in and supporting early- and mid- career professionals, we invest in and support the long-term health and growth of this movement that is transforming lives while creating business value.

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Blog Posts

Canary in the Coalmine: Are We Teaching the Wrong Skills?

By fostering intergenerational conversations with Gen Z, we can harness the collective wisdom of diverse perspectives.

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Blog Posts

Mind The Gap: Leadership Development and Workforce Development

The iconic London Underground warning, “Mind the Gap,” holds a new significance for organizations striving for growth.

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Blog Posts

Developing for the Long Game

The future of American competitive success hinges on a strong, skilled workforce.

Blog Posts

Important and Hard Work

About Guild

Guild is a Career Opportunity Platform that enables forward-thinking employers to invest in their employees, unlocking life-changing opportunities for personal and professional growth through learning programs, career development, and one-on-one coaching. Visit www.guild.com

About UpSkill America

UpSkill America, part of the Economic Opportunities Program, supports employers and workforce organizations to expand and improve high-quality educational and career advancement opportunities for America’s front-line workers. Connect with us on LinkedIn and learn more at upskillamerica.org.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from UpSkill America

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Employer-Friendly Practices: Bridging Higher Ed Practices and Employer Realities

This paper is the first in a series. It elevates the specific issues that employers indicate are key enablers or inhibitors in their relationships and partnerships with colleges and universities.

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Building Bridges: Lessons from the ECCP Initiative

This brief highlights the key behaviors and strategies for successful partnerships between community colleges and employers.

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Investing in People Is an Investment in the Business: Talent Development Leads to Strong Business Outcomes

This case study shares Marlin Steel’s story over the past decade and illustrates a compelling model for how intentional investment in talent fosters competitive businesses and personal growth.

Woman in an office setting reviewing papers with graphs.
Blog Posts

Early Findings: Employer Perspectives on Skills Validation and Trust 

We’re just getting started with this analysis. Stay tuned in the coming months for insights on  the kinds of information about skills that employers are really looking for in wallets and portfolios, where in the talent management life cycle employers think having validated skills will pay off most, and what it will take for employers and HR professionals to adopt tools that use validated skills.

group of Fellows
Blog Posts

Moving Beyond a “Marriage” to Education

Last week, our second cohort of the Education and Career Mobility Fellowship gathered in Indianapolis for their third and final seminar. Over three days of discussion and collaboration, a clear theme emerged: the growth our fellows experienced was fueled by the power of their collective.