Midwest Urban Strategies

Debra Bahr-Helgen has led the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program for more than 11 years. Prior to holding the Director position, Bahr-Helgen served as Program Manager.  Debra is a highly engaged leader in workforce and economic development. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University and completed graduate studies at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Tammy Biery is the executive director at Career Solutions, a partner agency in CareerForce St. Cloud. Career Solutions' focus is workforce development initiatives, primarily in Stearns and Benton Counties. Services provided include dislocated worker programs, career and job-related programs for at-risk youth in the community (CareerONE, Youthbuild, Youth At Work), as well as assisting employers with their workforce needs. Tammy works with multiple programs and partners to use resources to encourage joint participation and collaboration to achieve needed outcomes.

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JoAnn Breedlove serves as executive director to the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board located in Ohio. Prior to her appointment as executive director in March 2022, JoAnn began her employment with Workforce Initiative Association in 2008 as an Employer Account Representative and has served as the organization’s Business Services Manager, Business Resource Network Project Director and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the programmatic aspects of the Workforce Initiative Association which include OhioMeansJobs Stark and Tuscarawas County Center operations, programs funded through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act and Ohio’s youth Comprehensive Case Management & Employment Program.

JoAnn views the workforce system as perfectly poised to strengthen communities by supporting businesses with strategies that serve their workforce needs while ultimately improving the lives of its citizens through employment and training resources.

Prior to her service with the public workforce system, JoAnn worked for the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a Contract Procurement Specialist and in sales and management with Kimberly Clark Corporation. JoAnn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Marketing and Human Resource Management from The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science degree in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.

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Julie Cayo, AICP is a seasoned urban planning professional with 25 years of experience in redevelopment, economic development, and workforce development. Specialties include workforce development, project management, brownfield redevelopment, economic development, tax incremental financing, labor market information analysis, and the development of small and large federal, state, and local grant proposals.

Julie currently serves as the Interim CEO and Chief Planning Officer at Employ Milwaukee. She has a robust background in urban planning and workforce development, with over 25 years of experience in various leadership roles within the field.

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Lisa Daugherty is serving as the new President & CEO of Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI), which provides solutions to meet the workforce-related needs of customers in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski counties in Northwest Indiana.

Prior to coming to CWI, Lisa served as President and CEO for Lake Area United Way (LAUW), leading the organization through a significant transition to a new community impact model, focused on strengthening low-income working families by helping them access financial education resources, child care and better paying jobs. While in that role, she earned NIPSCO’s Luminary Award for Outstanding Community Leadership.

Before LAUW, Lisa entered the nonprofit sector as the Director of Marketing & Development for TradeWinds Services, Inc., an organization serving children and adults with disabilities. She also managed the Employment Services Department which connected clients with job opportunities and provided supportive services to retain employment.

Prior to her roles in nonprofits, Lisa enjoyed a diverse career in media with The TIMES Media Company serving lastly as the Advertising Director and General Manager. Throughout her career at The TIMES, she held various sales, management and director level positions in circulation, marketing, human resources and advertising.

Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts as well as a Master of Arts in Communication and Creative Arts from Purdue Northwest.

Outside of her work priorities, Lisa works really hard to pamper her four rescues.

Twenty-plus years of progressive experience and responsibility in the Workforce Development and Community Services field to include: executive leadership, performance assessment/evaluation, operational monitoring, budgeting, contracting, community outreach, team development and grant policy implementation. * Outstanding communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.* Major strengths in planning, problem-solving and public relations.* Provide operational strategic guidance and develop regional long-term planning goals. * Ability to interpret and convey complex policies, procedures and guidelines.* Promote professionalism and success.

Marie Mackintosh has served as President and CEO of EmployIndy since the fall of 2022. As a workforce development board and nonprofit intermediary in
Indianapolis, EmployIndy is focused on creating strategic partnerships, connections, and opportunities that enable all Marion County residents to grow and prosper in a career that meets employer demand for talent.

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She joined EmployIndy in 2016 and guided the implementation of several pivotal initiatives that collectively work to create economic prosperity across
Indianapolis for all residents and businesses. Whether the New Skills Ready Network Collaborative, Modern Apprenticeship, Talent Bound, Rapid Re-
Employment Response, or the Good Wages Initiative, Mackintosh has led the EmployIndy team to integrate investments and to focus on ensuring that
students and workers are prepared for 21st century jobs through career-connected learning, access to career coaches, and equitable postsecondary
options. Simultaneously, her team engages businesses to ensure they are competitive in a global marketplace by offering opportunities to co-create
talent pipelines, become a choice employer with good jobs, and make connections to a diverse and well-prepared talent pool so that that the Indianapolis economy can grow and thrive.

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Mackintosh brings over 20 years of relevant experience to this role, having worked immediately prior to EmployIndy in various leadership roles at the
Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in marketing at a global manufacturer, and in advising and academic affairs at Butler University,
DePauw University, and the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. She holds an MBA from Butler University and a BA from Indiana University, where
she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. She was named one of Indy’s Best and Brightest in 2017 and has served on numerous committees and boards for
organizations that include the U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council, Midwest Urban Strategies Consortium, Indy Chamber,
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Business Equity for Indy, Far Eastside Collective Impact Council, Near Eastside Innovation School Corporation, and
IndyFringe

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Clyde R. McQueen serves as President/Chief Executive Officer, of the nationally recognized job training and placement enterprise, the Full Employment Council (FEC), Inc. Since 1987, FEC has been the strategic workforce entity and fiscal agent for two Workforce Development Boards, serving five counties, including two of the largest cities in Missouri, Kansas City and Independence, in a region that covers 2,700 square miles serving urban, suburban, and rural markets.

He previously worked as the Division Director of Training and Employment Development for the Texas Department of Community Affairs, the administrative agency for the Workforce Development system throughout the State of Texas. Clyde also served as Chairman of the Technical Review Committee for Economic Development, which oversaw the disbursement of an economic development fund for non-entitlement cities. He developed the program design and application procedure for the state’s Economic Development Grant Program, which utilized community development block grant funds for economic development.   

Clyde served as Administrator of Technical Programs for the Texas Economic Development Commission where he worked with communities and various groups to develop strategies for attracting businesses and industries into specific regions of the state. He served as an Administrative Technician, working with small and minority businesses, providing management and technical assistance in securing contracts and financial assistance.

Clyde also served as an Assistant Instructor at Texas State University, and as a Field Supervisor for the City of San Antonio Nutrition Program.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Speech Communications and Political Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.  He completed the Top State Manager’s Executive Education Program at Duke University. 

As a volunteer, Clyde has served as President of Kansas City Consensus, President of U.S. Conference of Mayor’s Workforce Development Council, President of the National Association of Counties Training and Employment Professionals, President of the National Business League (Centex) Chapter, Chairman for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and a member of the Missouri Automobile Task Force, the Community Development Advisory Committee of the Federal Reserve Bank/Kansas City Region, Missouri Community Service Commission, United Way of Greater Kansas City, The Starlight Theater, and the Austin/San Antonio Corridor Council.

Presently, Clyde serves as an executive committee member of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the United Services Community Action Agency, Board member of the Clay County Economic Development Corporation, member of the Personnel Committee of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and a Board member of the Construction Workforce Development Board of the City of Kansas City, MO.

Clyde has been recognized as “Professional of the Year” by the Missouri Association of Workforce Development, “Local Hero” and “100 Most Influential Kansas Citians” by Ingram’s Magazine, “Job Training Professional of the Year” by the National Alliance of Business, “Distinguished Service Award” by the Texas Association of SDA Administrators, and “Top State Manager” by the State of Texas.  

Clyde has also been awarded resolutions, sponsored and the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate on his accomplishments in workforce development.  Clyde has testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions Committee regarding the reauthorization of workforce development programs in the United States. Clyde also was recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives and inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame to honor the achievements of African Americans who made significant contributions to the state of Missouri.   He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas City NAACP and recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.  His work has also been cited in Nations Business Magazine and the New York Times.

Jim McShane MPA is a seasoned professional in workforce development, co-founding The Workforce Alliance, a non-profit encompassing nine workforce boards across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. As Chief Executive Officer of CareerSource Capital Region, Jim leads a dedicated team to assist job seekers and employers, while engaging in advocacy through the US Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. Jim's extensive experience includes previous leadership roles at organizations such as the South Shore GRANTS Center and the Crossroads Workforce Investment Board, and a solid educational foundation with a Master's in Public Administration from Indiana State University. Throughout a diverse career spanning decades, Jim has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing workforce development and community support.

Lisa Patt-McDaniel joined the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio as the first President and CEO in November 2016. The Board develops strategies for placing jobseekers on the path to family sustaining careers and works with employers to identify talent pipelines for their businesses. The Board works through its Ohio Means Jobs Center Columbus Franklin County (OMJCFC) and other partner agencies to create innovative workforce solutions for the Central Ohio Business Community. 

Previous to this position, Ms. Patt-McDaniel was an Executive on Loan to the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County to stand up a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with the capacity to lend on housing and mixed-use developments in Franklin County. 

Ms. Patt-McDaniel spent over 20 years at the Ohio Department of Development working in the areas of economic, workforce and community development, completing her career there as the Director of the Department and a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. While she was Director, Ohio claimed its third Governor's Cup from Site Selection Magazine by focusing on taking the steps necessary to be competitive, even in a challenging economic environment. McDaniel joined Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) in 2011 as Director of Community Development where she was responsible for developing relationships and services related to community development, including working with cities and in rural areas to address vacant land and housing, leveraging resources for development, and convening local officials around common development issues. 

Ms. Patt-McDaniel is a Certified Economic Development Professional (EDP) through the National Development Council.  She is an officer on the boards of the Ohio Workforce Association, Midwest Urban Strategies, the Columbus Next Generation Corporation, and Heritage Ohio. She is also on the Board of the US Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council. Ms. Patt-McDaniel is a lecturer at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs where she has taught classes in public policy and strategic management. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Miami University and a Master of Public Administration from the John Glenn College of Public Policy at The Ohio State University.  Ms. Patt-McDaniel is married to Dana McDaniel, City Manager of the city of Dublin, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Caitlyn and Colleen.

For more than 20 years, Chris has worked with established companies, startups and offshore environments to help them maximize revenue, develop distribution strategies, and deliver unparalleled customer service. When he worked at Time Warner alone, he launched five major, national sales campaigns, raising the bar for sales performance for thousands of employees.

 Despite his success at Fortune 500 companies, it was his passion for helping young people that drove his development of the Visionz Group. Since 2001, Chris has mentored at-risk youth, partnering with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and providing engaging and interactive educational training.

 In 2016, Chris founded the Visionz Group to help youth and young adults learn the skills to be successful learners and earners as they progress through life. His experience as an educator and mentor has proven invaluable to the Visionz organization.

 Currently, Chris has positioned the Visionz Group as a leader in the soft skills development space. The company boasts such clients as Health Management Systems of America, the Michigan Department of Corrections, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, and Dallas County Juvenile Detention, where it provides individuals with the tools to “Get the Job,” “Keep the Job,” and “Transition to New Opportunities.” using fun and interactive techniques to engage their audiences.

Katie Thomas, Executive Director for Southeast AlabamaWorks, is a long-time resident of southeast Alabama and a local expert on Workforce Development specific to the 10-county region they serve. Katie was a 2005 third-generation graduate of Troy University and worked in business and industry for 13 years before transitioning to a Workforce Development role in 2018. Katie remains dedicated to helping our local economy grow through workforce development and remains active on several Boards and Leadership Councils across Southeast Alabama.

Robert Shimkoski Jr. lives in Detroit Michigan and is the Director of Planning and Resource Development for the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), a Michigan Works! Agency that administers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) Programs in the city of Detroit. He holds a B.S. in Public Administration from the University of Scranton and a M.A in English from Wayne State University. He has served as a volunteer with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and worked for the city of Detroit’s Workforce Development and Housing Departments and several non-profits.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Community Housing Coalition, President of the Board of Directors for the Mary Turner Center for Advocacy and is a board member for several other organizations.   He has also completed a fellowship with the Aspen Institute’s Detroit Workforce System Leadership Development Academy.

Tera N. West has dedicated over 25 years to being a servant leader in workforce development. She is an Elyria, Ohio native who moved to Louisville, Kentucky in 2005—shortly after earning her Master of Business Administration from Kent State University.

Over the course of her professional career, Tera has served in leadership positions for the Louisville Urban League, the Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s Apprenticeship Division, and of course, KentuckianaWorks. One of Tera’s most notable accomplishments is spearheading the Mayor’s SummerWorks program in Louisville, Kentucky. Additionally, she led, coordinated, and/or managed a cadre of other local, state, and federally funded programs in the Midwest and Atlantic South regions.

Before returning to KentuckianaWorks as Deputy Director, Tera provided leadership to Equus’ U.S. Department of Labor Industry Intermediary contract for Registered Apprenticeship Expansion. She worked alongside partners and stakeholders to create opportunities for career seekers—especially those from underserved and underrepresented populations—as they endeavored to increase their skill levels and earning potential.

Other notable experience for Tera includes more than 10 years of service as an Algebra Teacher for the Whitney M. Young Scholars Program run by the Lincoln Foundation. Tera’s community service activities include serving on the Metro United Way Program Review Team and Community Impact Cabinet (through June 2015), membership on the Board for the Community Action Partnership, and ministry service at the Canaan Christian Church Family Life Center— where she is also a parishioner.

Dana L. Williams is President & CEO of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), the fiscal and administrative agent for the workforce in the city of Detroit. She is responsible for overseeing system operations, representing the workforce perspective in various settings, and providing a data-based foundation upon which the system operates for the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board.

Dana’s progressive career includes experience in Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility, Foundation Giving, Legislative Advocacy, Community Outreach, Education, Sales, Marketing, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. She has successfully led strategic initiatives in various industries, including energy & utilities, aerospace & defense, professional services, nonprofit, and public education.

Dana is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Walsh College, and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class XLI. She believes in serving the community, especially Detroiters, as evidenced by her leadership in The Links, Inc., United Way of Southeastern Michigan, City of Detroit Civil Service Commission, Detroit Society of Human Resource Management, Michigan Diversity Council, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and New Paradigm Loving Glazer Academies Charter School Board.

Sara Worstell serves the Southwest Indiana Workforce Board as the Executive Director. Throughout the 9 counties in the region, Sara helps to break down barriers to employment. Sara’s passion is to connect resources to people to help them reach self-sufficiency. With 18 years of experience in workforce development, Sara leads the organization by bringing awareness through re-branding, increased collaboration, and funding diversification. One result of Sara’s leadership is the Neighborhood Navigator program which meets people throughout the community right where they are. Sara’s education includes an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Vincennes University; Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master in Science in Leadership both from the University of Evansville.

George Wright became the CEO of The Chicago Cook Workforce (The Partnership) in June 2023. Wright comes to the role after a distinguished career in banking and community investment and after serving as the co-chair of The Partnership’s Board of Directors since 2015.  In April, he stepped down from The Partnership Board and retired as director of community relations for Citibank’s Global Consumer Group. As director of community relations, Wright led all aspects of Citi’s community development portfolio in Illinois and across the Central Region. 

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Previously, Wright served as national director of emerging markets for Washington Mutual, where he was responsible for national home loan sales and operations to emerging market consumers and oversaw a team of more than 200 employees. Earlier in his career, Wright was a senior vice president at GMAC Bank where he was one of the six senior founding bank managers and was responsible for all areas of the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act initiatives, as well as customer service and philanthropy. He began his career at Citicorp / Citibank in Illinois as a management associate and was progressively promoted throughout his 30 years there, ultimately rising to
become community investment officer where he managed all aspects of community development for the Central Region and national manager of planning and integration. 

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In addition to his service on The Partnership Board, Wright has also served as Board Chair of Acciόn Chicago and the Center for Economic Progress, as well as the Greater Englewood CDC.  In addition, he is the recipient of numerous community leadership awards including the James Sills Community Reinvestment Act Leadership Award, the YMCA Black / Hispanic Achiever in Industry Award, Englewood “Maker of Men” Award, 100 Black Men Leadership Award, Chicago Defender “Man of Excellence” Award, Executive of the Year for AFP and Chicago “Community Change Maker” Award. 

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Wright received his BS degree in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College and did his graduate studies at Illinois Institute of Technology.

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Prior to joining the Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio as Executive Director, Beth Yoke served as Chief Strategy Officer for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library from 2018 - 2024. From 2004 - 2018 she served as Executive Director of the Young Adult Library Services Association, and has also worked as a university and a high school librarian, and an elementary school teacher. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College and her master’s degree from Louisiana State University. You can find her on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. Yoke is a resident of the Northside neighborhood in Cincinnati, OH.