The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP) is thrilled to announce the launch of six new Workforce Leadership Academies in 2025. Three new communities join the Academy network from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Durham, North Carolina; and Fresno, California. In addition, three partners that hosted Academies in 2023 have launched additional Academies in Baltimore, Central Ohio, and Southern Arizona.

Like their predecessors, the 2025 Academies will bring together cohorts of leaders from across their local workforce ecosystems into a 10-month fellowship to deepen networks and strengthen systems leadership skills. Participating leaders work together to address local and regional systems-based challenges and advance skills-based talent strategies in their communities.

Through a rigorous application process, we selected local partners from across the country to lead Academies. These outstanding partners are notable for their capacity to convene a wide range of stakeholders in their regions and for their commitment to economic opportunity. Partners are responsible for all aspects of Academy delivery with support from EOP including a curriculum, coaching, and a challenge grant. To date, EOP has offered 22 Academies in 17 communities across North America, adding hundreds of alumni to our Economic Opportunity Fellows Network. Today’s addition brings the total to 28 Academies in 20 communities.

Click below to learn more about each Academy partner:

City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department and Central New Mexico Community College — Albuquerque, New Mexico

United Way of the Greater Triangle  — Durham, North Carolina

Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board — Fresno, California

Ohio Workforce Coalition and the Greater Ohio Workforce Board — Delaware, Knox, and Licking Counties, Ohio

Center for the Future of Arizona and Pima Community College — Southern Arizona

United Way of Central Maryland — Baltimore

We are excited to partner with these remarkable organizations, and we look forward to supporting and learning from their work as they advance skills-based mobility, equity, and opportunity.

This initiative is made possible by the generous support of Walmart.

For more information about the Academies, contact Dee Wallace (Senior Fellow). 

Learn more

The Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on publications, blog posts, events, and other announcements.