Every few years, moments arise when it becomes clear that incremental change is no longer enough. Our systems have shifted and the economy has evolved. The workforce we need today, and the one we will need tomorrow, looks fundamentally different from the one our policies were built to support.
That recognition was at the heart of the National Talent Collaborative’s Spring Gathering in Washington, D.C., where leaders from across the country came together with a shared conviction: the future of America’s workforce must be led by business.
As Chair of the National Talent Collaborative (NTC), I left Washington encouraged because the alignment among leaders is growing stronger. CEOs, regional executives, policymakers, and philanthropic partners showed up to build solutions grounded in real markets and real people.
A Rare Moment of Alignment
The National Talent Collaborative is a CEO-led alliance of more than 20 regional impact organizations spanning nearly every corner of the country. Our regions differ in size, industry mix, demographics, and political perspective. But in Washington, what stood out was how aligned we were on the core issue:
America has a talent and opportunity gap, and business has both the responsibility and the leverage to help close it.
This is an economic imperative. Employers across industries are struggling to find skilled workers, even as millions of Americans remain disconnected from opportunity. The paradox persists because our workforce systems were not designed for today’s economy, let alone tomorrow’s.
As former Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker noted during the gathering, the scale of the challenge demands leadership that can move faster than traditional policy cycles. That leadership must come from those closest to the labor market: employers and regional economies.
From Conversation to Action
This gathering was different because of its focus on outcomes. We convened to make decisions, rather than to simply share updates or best practices. Four clear priorities emerged, each reflecting the belief that business leadership must inform policy.
1. Building a Unified Voice for Business
One of the most powerful moments of the gathering was recognizing just how rarely business speaks with a coordinated voice on workforce policy, despite being the primary consumer of talent.
During our discussions, NTC members engaged regional leaders, CEOs, government leaders, and foundations. We agreed on four federal policy recommendations that will now be developed into a practical, evidence-based playbook. This playbook is a guide rooted in what regions are already doing successfully and what federal systems must enable at scale.
As Alejandra Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, reminded us, “Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.”
Regional employers see in real time where systems break down. Our responsibility is to translate that insight into actionable policy.
2. Unlocking the Power of Regional Data
If we want to change outcomes, we must first measure what matters.
Across NTC regions, vast amounts of workforce and education data already exist. However, they are fragmented, inconsistent, and often underutilized. A shared data platform would allow regions to align metrics, track progress, and identify what truly moves the needle.
This platform will create a common language that helps employers, educators, and policymakers make better decisions as well as direct funding toward strategies that work.
3. Funding and Scaling a Pilot Program
Our host, the Greater Washington Partnership shared a compelling examples: the Employer Signaling System.
At its core, employer signaling aligns businesses around shared skill requirements, credentials, and career pathways. It also sends clear messages to education and training providers about what the labor market actually needs. The result is less guesswork, faster alignment, and better outcomes for both employers and workers.
This model needs to be portable. With the right support, it can be adapted and scaled across regions with very different economic profiles. NTC’s role is to help make that happen by connecting regions, sharing infrastructure, and accelerating adoption.
4. Strengthening the Collaborative Itself
Finally, we reaffirmed that this work cannot happen in isolation.
The National Talent Collaborative exists because no single region or sector can solve these challenges alone. Our decision to continue quarterly virtual convenings and gather again in New Orleans this fall reflects a simple truth: sustained collaboration is what turns good ideas into durable systems change.
The Role of CEOs in Creating Opportunity
The one thread running through every conversation in Washington was that CEOs have a unique role to play in shaping an economy that works for more people.
That role goes beyond hiring and also includes signaling demand, investing in partnerships, advocating for smarter policy, and helping redefine what opportunity looks like in a changing labor market.
Business has always been a driver of economic growth. Today, it must also be a driver of economic inclusion.
The National Talent Collaborative is proving that when CEOs lead. When they think systemically and engage regionally, progress accelerates. The goal of business should be to help align government and education around real outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Our work in Washington was a milestone. The coming months will be focused on translating our shared priorities into action: developing policy playbooks, advancing shared data infrastructure, and supporting regions as they scale proven solutions.
I’m optimistic because of the quality of ideas and the seriousness of commitment. Nearly every region in the country was represented, across industries and ideologies, and united by the belief that talent is the defining economic issue of our time.
If we get this right, we will strengthen our businesses and expand opportunity, mobility, and prosperity for millions of Americans.
And that is work worth doing together.
We would like to thank the leaders from all the organizations that participated, including PSP Partners, the Charles Koch Foundation, the Kay Family Foundation, the Greater Washington Partnership, the US Economic Development Administration, Intel, AWS, and Google.