D214 administrators graduate from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Academy

Two High School District 214 administrators - Dr. Lazaro Lopez and Dr. Marcella Reca Zipp - have further honed their workforce development expertise by graduating from a program facilitated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program - TPM Academy - is based on the foundation's Talent Pipeline Management®.

Lopez, Co-Interim Superintendent and Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Reca Zipp, Director of Grants and Special Programs, play leading roles in District 214's innovative work-based learning network. This program last year drew recognition from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden as a prime example of effective career-connected learning.

Lopez and Reca Zipp were selected to participate as members of the Illinois cohort along with 71 other leaders from the business community, economic development agencies, community colleges and community-based organizations from around the country. Individuals were selected by a panel of their peers based on their understanding of the skills gap challenges in the community they serve, a demonstrated understanding of the TPM approach, and a track record of putting plans into action.

"TPM is a nationally-recognized framework that seeks to unlock employer leadership and orchestrate talent supply chains aligned to industry demand," says Cheryl Oldham, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber Foundation. "We congratulate the graduates of the TPM Academy and look forward to seeing how these leaders will apply what they have learned to improve career pathways for opportunity populations in their communities."

Lopez said, "We appreciate the opportunity to participate in this employer focused strategy to build fully developed talent pipelines from school to career. The training provided by the U.S. Chamber Foundation distinguishes High School District 214 and represents our intentional approach to career pathways and work-based learning in ways that significantly benefits students while also aligning with the talent needs of community employers."

Upon completion of the training, TPM Academy graduates join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's dedicated network of more than 850 workforce and economic development professionals from 44 states, Washington D.C., and Canada to build dynamic, sustainable talent pipelines that close skills gaps across industries.