Last year, we kicked off an engaging conversation on workforce development resources—and now we’re back for more. Whether or not you attended the first session, this discussion stands on its own and offers fresh insights into the services available to support employers and the workforce development system.

HR professionals will walk away with actionable strategies to attract, train, and retain top talent—many at little to no cost

Thank you to the University at Albany for sponsoring and hosting this event! 

Agenda:

5:00pm - 5:30pm - Registration & Hor d'oeuvres

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Content

Panelists:

Erin Abele is a nonprofit administrator with more than 26 years of progressive leadership experience advancing employment outcomes for people with and without disabilities. She currently serves as Director of Employment Services and Industrial Operations at Liberty ARC. Throughout her career, Erin has focused on aligning mission-driven services with regional workforce needs—building strong employer partnerships, creating pathways to meaningful employment, and strengthening our talent by leveraging practical supports which benefit both employers and job seekers.  As part of her oversight, Erin administers the Capital Region Employer Resource Network®.  An ERN® Success Coach assists employers to increase their workforce stability and job retention outcomes by connecting employees experiencing professional or personal barrier with one-on-one support and guidance.  Erin is deeply committed to strengthening our workforces and communities and currently serves on the Board of Directors of United Way of the Greater Capital Region and the New York State Association of People Supporting Employment.

 Jonathan Scherzer serves as the Director of Business Development for the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA).  His experience includes marketing, public relations and sales contact with out of the box creative concepts and on-air talent experience. At CDTA, Jonathan’s role and goals are to drive the building of relationships through like-minded civic organizations and businesses to promote the benefits of public transportation. His prior experience includes 10 years providing sales and marketing expertise for two minor league sports franchises in Albany, NY that allows for a wide-range of abilities applicable across many business models.

Abbe Kovacik serves as the Executive Director of Brightside Up, Inc., which was previously known as the Capital District Child Care Coordinating Council, based in Albany, NY. Brightside Up, Inc. passionately works to connect community resources that help enhance both the availability and quality of child care. Here at Brightside Up, we're committed to fostering a world where every child feels truly understood. We achieve this by promoting a strength-based approach to the growth and development of both children and adults.  Abbe holds a B.S. in Psychology from Messiah College and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the College of Saint Rose.  She is the co-author of Observing and Understanding Child Development: A Child Development Manual, published by Delmar Cengage Learning.

Moderator:

Brian Williams has over 25 years’ experience in the workforce development field assisting youth, adults, and businesses with workforce options.  He has specific expertise in employment and training program administration, advocacy, youth programming, job development and career guidance, human resource policies, labor laws, recruitment, grant and proposal writing, and marketing.  Currently, Brian is the Executive Director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board of Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady Counties.  Brian serves on several other Community Boards including Past President for the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) Board,  Board Chair for the Commission On Economic Opportunity in Troy,  the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center Board of Hudson Valley Community College, and the Center for Economic Growth (CEG) Leadership Board.

This program will be submitted for 1.5 SHRM and HRCI credit hour.

Please note: a $20 late fee will apply to any registrations submitted after 5:00 PM on March 31st, 2026