Movers & Makers highlights workforce development
Workforce development remains a critical priority across Greater Cincinnati. Our collective efforts to attract, train, and retain talent are essential to sustained economic growth, not just today, but for decades to come. As the February 2026 issue of Movers & Makers notes, “in Greater Cincinnati, workforce development is about more than simply filling jobs; it’s about creating opportunity, economic growth, and building workforce and community resilience.”
That’s why this issue of Movers & Makers is especially meaningful to us. NKY Works is proud to lead and integrate the workforce development resources of Northern Kentucky across a spectrum of organizations and service offerings, and the nine featured organizations highlighted on pages 18–24 reflect the kind of collaboration and innovation that drive the NKY Works priorities forward. Each plays a distinct role in strengthening the region’s talent pipeline. These five organizations are especially connected to our work here in Northern Kentucky:
Easterseals/Redwood – President Pam Green offers a powerful reminder that work is about more than self-sufficiency; it’s also about dignity, confidence, and purpose. This message resonated strongly with our partners and was echoed by her colleague, Justin Banks, during a Partner for Success panel on inclusive hiring last fall.
Workforce Innovation Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce – Vice President and Executive Director Audrey Treasurer champions the importance of quality jobs—those that offer competitive pay, strong benefits, and clear pathways for advancement. This perspective aligns closely with NKY Works’ Employer Best Practices focus area, where Audrey also serves as a valued member.
Brighton Center – Brighton Center is involved in the workforce in several ways. In addition to serving as a Kentucky Career Center partner, they are the subcontractor for Adult and Dislocated Worker services and the One Stop Operator through the Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board (NKWIB). Their leadership is also deeply embedded in NKY Works: President and CEO Wonder Winkler serves on our Executive Committee, while Lauren Allhands sits on our Advisory Committee and leads the Work-Ready Adults focus area.
Ohio Valley Goodwill – Like Easterseals/Redwood, Ohio Valley Goodwill is a strong advocate for job seekers with disabilities. Their recent expansion as an onsite partner at the Kentucky Career Center in Covington increases access to employment support for workers in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties. We encourage partners to help spread the word about these expanded services.
The Talent Collaborative – The NKWIB is proud to be a founding partner of the Talent Collaborative, with NKY Works Director Correy Eimer continuing to serve on its board. Like NKY Works, the Talent Collaborative convenes partners to advance workforce initiatives across the Greater Cincinnati ecosystem, amplifying effective programs and collaborating closely with us to impact efforts in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties.
Together, these organizations illustrate what’s possible when employers, educators, service providers, and community leaders align around shared workforce goals. For professionals engaged in hiring, training, and supporting job seekers, this work is both a responsibility and an opportunity—to strengthen our talent systems, expand access to meaningful careers, and build a more resilient regional economy. We invite you to explore the full Movers & Makers feature and consider how your organization can connect, collaborate, and contribute to this collective effort.
If you would like to discuss your involvement - or if you have a specific workforce challenge that we can help you address – contact us by phone at 859.657.WRKS (9757) or by email at NKYWorks@NKADD.org.