Advocating for Today, Designing for the Future

NAWB is focused on both the needs of today and the system of tomorrow, advocating for the resources to serve our local communities while actively building a policy framework for the future. This first-of-its-kind event is designed to develop the system of the future to optimize meeting the needs of local communities.
> You’ll hear directly from senior federal officials, national partners, and policy experts on the issues driving the workforce agenda.
> Hands on advocacy sessions will sharpen your message and strengthen your strategy so you can walk into Capitol Hill meetings ready to make clear, compelling asks.
> Your Capitol Hill visits are where you will tell your story so lawmakers understand what local boards need to serve workers, employers, and communities.

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY

PRELIMINARY SUMMIT AGENDA

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

1:00 PM
Summit Opens: Welcome
1:15 PM

Congressional Staff Panel
Senior congressional staff from the committees of jurisdiction for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization and funding will discuss the outlook for federal workforce policy, including prospects for future workforce-related legislation and congressional oversight. Panelists will share insights on current priorities, emerging workforce challenges, and opportunities for bipartisan action. 

Featured Panelists:
Jules Collado and Brad Thomas, House Education and Workforce Committee
Jose Garcia and Ryan Sweeney, Senate HELP Committee
Amanda Beaumont, Senate Appropriations Committee

2:15 PM
Fireside Chat with HUD’s Felicia Gaither, Associate National Director in HUD’s Office of Field Policy and Management
Join us for an engaging fireside chat to explore how HUD supports jobseekers and engages with the workforce development system, the federal partnerships that shape HUD’s workforce priorities, and the unique challenges faced by HUD‑assisted households as they pursue employment and training. This session will feature examples of successful workforce initiatives in HUD‑assisted communities, discuss the supportive services residents find most essential, and highlight practical ways Workforce Development Boards can strengthen collaboration with Public Housing Agencies.
3:15 PM
Every Measure Is a Design Choice
What happens when organizations optimize around what gets measured? A cross-sector panel will explore measurement through the lenses of behavior, performance, tradeoffs, and scale before participants take on the design challenge themselves – building, stress-testing, and redesigning an accountability system for a changing world. Followed by a Design Session with all attendees.Featured panelists:
Amanda Welsh, Northeastern University
Sean Murphy, Bipartisan Policy Center
Andrew Bercich, NAWB
5:00 PM
Optional dinner meet-ups
On your own

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

7:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM
From Service Delivery to National Capability
What becomes possible when we view the workforce profession not simply as a network of service providers, but as a national capability? This future-focused session will explore how the collective knowledge, experience, and relationships of workforce professionals can help the field learn across communities, anticipate emerging challenges, and grow more capable over time. Following the panel conversation, participants will participate in a design session considering the expertise that should distinguish the profession and the capabilities it will need to create greater value in a changing world of work.Featured Panelists:
Anthony Terlizzi, CareerTeam
Jennifer Wilson, NAWB
Johnathan Overall, KRA
10:00 AM

Fireside chat with Marek Laco, Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the U.S. Department of Labor
This conversation will explore the Administration’s workforce development priorities, key trends shaping the nation’s labor market, and the role of the public workforce system in meeting the needs of both workers and employers. Attendees will gain insights into federal workforce initiatives, opportunities for innovation and partnership, and the outlook for workforce policy in the years ahead.

11:00 AM
Designing Infrastructure for Talent & Opportunity
What could employers do differently with better access to the workforce system’s collective insights, expertise, and capabilities? This future-focused conversation will explore how shared infrastructure and real-time intelligence can strengthen hiring and talent practices, expand career-connected learning, and help employers—especially smaller organizations—respond to changing skill needs and labor-market conditions. Panelists will offer possibilities and provocations to inform the culminating design session on the capabilities, roles, and relationships needed in a future workforce system. Followed by a Design Session with all attendees.Featured Panelists:
Kevin Fudge, Britebound
Laura Ward, Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas

2:15 PM
Legislative Landscape: Where Things Stand
Hear from NAWB’s Policy & Advocacy team as they break down the current mood on Capitol Hill, where key workforce proposals stand, and what elected officials and their staff are focused on when NAWB visits Congress. This session offers a quick, insider look at the dynamics shaping federal workforce policy and the issues driving conversations in congressional offices right now.Featured Speakers:
Chris Andresen, Dutko Government Relations
Steve Voytek, Foresight Law + Policy
Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied, NAWB

3:15 PM
Reviewing the Ask
This session breaks down the essentials of effective advocacy on Capitol Hill: what Workforce Development Boards should be asking for, how to frame those requests, and the conditions shaping congressional conversations right now. NAWB’s team will outline the dynamics influencing lawmakers and staff, share practical guidance on approaching Hill meetings, and offer strategies to ensure your message resonates and drives impact.Featured Speakers
Chris Andresen, Dutko Government Relations
Gail Ravnitzky Silberglied, NAWB
4:15 PM
Practice “Making the Ask” and State Coordination
In this interactive session, advocates will meet with others from their state to plan how they’ll approach joint Capitol Hill meetings. Together, you’ll clarify your key asks, decide who will lead each part of the conversation, and coordinate how to ensure your state’s full message is delivered effectively. This is a chance to practice your approach, align your strategy, and walk into each meeting confident, prepared, and unified.
5:00 PM
Day concludes
Dinner on your own

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

7:45 AM
Board buses to Capitol Hill
8:00 AM
Buses depart
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Hill meetings
If you indicated that you plan to participate in Capitol Hill visits, a customized meeting schedule has been prepared for you. You can find your full itinerary — including office locations, meeting times, and background information on each Member of Congress — in the Advocacy Day App. Spend the day advancing your state’s workforce priorities and engaging directly with congressional offices.
5:00 PM
Congressional Reception & Presentation of Awards
Join us at the end of the day for a special Capitol Hill reception celebrating the Workforce Impact Summit alongside colleagues, partners, and Members of Congress. NAWB will honor Senator Patty Murray and Representative Burgess Owens as Congressional Workforce Champions, recognizing their leadership and commitment to strengthening the nation’s workforce system. Attendees will also hear from additional special guests as we close the day with connection, recognition, and celebration.
6:30 PM
Board buses for return to hotel
6:45 PM
Buses depart for hotel

Schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Hotel Information

Washington Hilton
1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
Conference rate: $259/night
The discounted room block expires August 28, 2026.

Advocacy Day App

We will once again use the Advocacy Associates app, which will include:

Helpful Information

NAWB will supply everything you need for effective advocacy, including:
1. A Success Story
Members of Congress need to hear how your board helps people with the greatest barriers to employment find a path to economic security. Record a video, gather a testimonial, or write a narrative — and share it with us in advance.
2. A One‑Pager
Prepare a one‑ or two‑page summary of:
Please bring:
Do not bring:
Visit the Capitol Visitor Center rules for more information.
Note: Visitor Center rules may differ from House/Senate building rules.

For those participating in Workforce Impact Day on Capitol Hill, NAWB is working with Advocacy Associates to group advocates by state or region so no one advocates alone. During registration, you’ll be asked to provide additional addresses/counties/regions to ensure accurate matching based on your service area. Advocacy Associates will use this information to arrange your individual schedule on Capitol Hill.

By Air
By Train
From DCA (Reagan National)
Metro: Blue/Yellow → transfer to Red → Dupont Circle (10‑minute walk)
Taxi/Rideshare: ~20 minutes
From IAD (Dulles)
Metro: Silver Line → transfer to Red → Dupont Circle
Taxi/Rideshare: 40–60 minutes
From BWI (Baltimore-Washington)
Train + Metro: Shuttle → Amtrak/MARC → Union Station → Red Line → Dupont Circle
Taxi/Rideshare: 60–90 minutes