2021 Employer Partner of the Year: CWEE’s EAC
For much of CWEE’s 40-year history, we have honored individuals and partners for their exceptional contributions to our mission with the Silver Flame award. This year we are pleased to honor the members of our Employer Advisory Council as the 2021 Employer Partner of the Year.
Multifaceted partnerships with employers characterize CWEE’s approach to employment preparation and support.
Over nearly 40 years in the community, CWEE has developed a strong network of over 100 employer partners and advisors that help CWEE continually evolve our programming based on changing economic and labor market trends.
Among this group of employer partners is a special group of 12 dedicated individuals who serve on CWEE’s Employer Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC works closely with CWEE to adapt our program to the rapidly changing labor market. Members of the EAC also volunteer to conduct mock interviews with CWEE career seekers, review resumes, and host employer meet-and-greets to expand opportunities for our participants.
Even amid the pandemic, members of the Employer Advisory Council have remained steadfast in their commitment to CWEE and our participants. The EAC continued to meet virtually and advise CWEE leaders, despite the challenges members were facing within their own companies.
By spring of 2020, as an organization focused on employment in an increasingly virtual world, CWEE understood that in order to position our participants for success, we needed to focus on digital equity and digital literacy. With the support of the EAC, CWEE developed our new intensive digital literacy program, focusing on online learning complemented by individual coaching and employment support.
Some members of the EAC also supported CWEE in our massive effort to get each one of our career seekers set up with a laptop and at-home internet service. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of our career seekers had only their smartphones to go online.
For their tremendous commitment to CWEE, we are proud to recognize the Employer Advisory Council as this year’s Silver Flame Employer Partner award winner.
The leaders that serve on our Employer Advisory Council represent a range of industries, including technology and telecommunications, retail and hospitality, health care, IT training and staffing, commercial banking, education, and more. Our 2021 EAC members include:
- Laura Gassman, Innovar Group
- Scott Green, King Soopers/City Market
- Qwincy Houston, ACI Learning
- Vanessa Humes, Checkr
- Carrie Leathers, Collegiate Peaks Bank
- Bailey Maves, Randstad
- Aaron Moore, LinkedIn
- Leslee Torres, PASCO
- Kelly Turow, Comcast
- Ben Wankel, UCHealth
- Kristi Waters, Denver Public Schools
- Karina Woodka, Sage Hospitality Group
With the support and expertise of the members of CWEE’s Employer Advisory Council, we are able to deliver a career readiness program that consistently meets the needs of local employers.
EAC Purpose: Support CWEE in preparing participants and alumni for today’s workforce by helping us evaluate the program curriculum, employment opportunities and community partnerships.
EAC Mission: Provide participants with relevant workforce development experiences that promote confidence-building, skill-building, and career advancement.
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For much of CWEE’s 40-year history, we have honored individuals and partners for their exceptional contributions to our mission with the annual Silver Flame award. Silver Flame winners embrace CWEE’s mission and go above and beyond to support our career seekers and activities.
In 2021, we are pleased to recognize these additional winners:
- Volunteer of the Year: Katherine Keegan
- Program Partner of the Year: PC’s for People
- Corporate Partner of the Year: Comcast
- Alumni of the Year: In 2021, CWEE recognizes the incredible efforts and accomplishments of all of our current career seekers and alumni