2025 Sponsor Spotlight – Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
At Midwest Urban Strategies, we are proud to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to building stronger, more connected workforce ecosystems. Hosting our convenings across the country takes vision, coordination, and heart, and it’s made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. These organizations not only invest in our mission, they actively shape the future of workforce development through innovation, partnership, and impact.
We’d like to take a moment to introduce each of them to you. Whether you’re looking for new collaborators, resources for your programs, or ideas to strengthen your work, we hope you’ll take a closer look. After all, it’s through partnership that both business and community-driven initiatives grow.
The Foundation for Talent Transformation is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to helping individuals navigate the future of work through self-assessment and learning tools. Their free suite of apps and quizzes, covering personal values, emotional intelligence, digital literacy, and career interests, provides personalized guidance backed by research and a global network of coaches. They partner with organizations to embed their tools into coaching, mentoring, and workforce systems, helping more people align their strengths, growth mindset, and long-term goals.
CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) is a national nonprofit membership organization focused on connecting adult learners with meaningful education to career pathways. They build partnerships across postsecondary institutions, workforce boards, employers, and community organizations to create agile and responsive systems that help adult learners and workers navigate skill development and credentials. With more than 50 years of experience, CAEL delivers tools and strategies, from credit for prior learning to career pathway mapping, to help organizations expand their impact and promote long-term economic mobility.
Lightcast is a leading provider of labor market analytics, compiling over 18 billion data points to deliver real-time insights on jobs, skills, compensation, and workforce trends. Their platforms, ranging from Analyst and Developer to Career Coach and Skillabi (Personalized insight for program-to-career alignment), all of which empower government agencies, workforce boards, educators, and employers to align training, hiring, and strategic planning with current and emerging market needs. With data that’s refreshable, scalable, and backed by expert consulting, Lightcast helps organizations build smarter, skills-focused systems that meet real workforce demands.
Skilltrade delivers flexible, employer-aligned healthcare training programs designed to reduce staffing gaps, accelerate job placement, and improve retention. Their hybrid model blends online learning, hands-on training, and industry-informed curriculum to meet the needs of healthcare providers, workforce boards, and academic institutions. With turnkey solutions that include lab coordination, externship support, and real-time reporting, Skilltrade helps partners train new talent, retrain dislocated workers, and expand non-credit offerings with measurable impact.
NAWB (National Association of Workforce Boards) represents over 590 local workforce development boards and more than 12,000 business partners across the U.S. They champion workforce solutions through federal advocacy, training, technical assistance, resource sharing, and strategic convenings, including their annual Forum, the nation’s largest workforce development event. NAWB equips its members with data-driven tools, professional development, and policy influence to strengthen local systems and expand economic opportunity.
QuickStart Academy is a nationally recognized IT training provider offering bootcamps and certification programs that prepare both emerging and experienced professionals for in-demand technology careers. Their offerings span cloud engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, software engineering, and web development, combining instructor-led virtual classrooms, hands-on labs, and career support services. Backed by over 35 years of experience and powered by an AI-driven adaptive learning platform, QuickStart partners with government, enterprise, and workforce organizations to close critical IT skills gaps.
Association of General Contractors (AGC) is a full-service trade association representing commercial contractors, construction managers, specialty contractors, and related firms across Michigan. Their mission centers on fostering skill, integrity, and responsibility within the industry through comprehensive programming, training, advocacy, and safety resources. With over 400 member companies and a legacy dating back to 1916, AGC of Michigan equips its members to build safer worksites, grow professionally, and influence policies that strengthen the construction sector.
We’re grateful for the shared commitment, creativity, and care our sponsors bring to the table. Their work reminds us that lasting change doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s built together. As we continue to grow this network, we look forward to the new connections and collaborations still to come.
