Opening Doors for Teen Interns: 2017 Youth Career Development Summit

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Partners for Progress, a diverse coalition of leaders dedicated to providing high school students with the opportunities necessary to build a vibrant workforce for New York City, announced today the 2017 Youth Career Development Summit to be held Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

This event is aimed at driving collaboration among New York City business, nonprofit, and other civic leaders to explore new ways to connect youth with the business community and to find scale for high school internships through increased corporate investment and high school career pathway programs.

"Our goal is to further open the doors of the private sector to provide opportunities for high school students," said Stephen E. Hessler, Partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and Chairman of Futures and Options' Board of Directors, one of the coalition's key partners. "Our coalition members are dedicated to giving New York City's economically challenged teens the opportunities to explore careers and guiding them to further their education."

"The importance of structuring internships, so that they are both rewarding for employers and students, is critical," said Laurie R. Dien, Vice President – Programs at The Pinkerton Foundation. "Non-profit organizations are essential partners for businesses to build the capacity for internship opportunities to provide meaningful work experiences. These opportunities for students are addressing vital concerns around future economic development for New York City."

"The skill sets needed for future jobs have changed, and now more than ever students are in need of the necessary access, opportunity, and knowledge in order to develop family-sustaining careers and lead choice-filled lives," said Randy Moore, Vice President, Post-secondary Partnerships & Innovation, HERE to HERE. "The HR Visionaries Panel will provide crucial insight into how leading companies in the coalition are stepping up their efforts to provide internship opportunities to high school students."

HERE to HERE works strategically with employer, education and community partners to create and enhance career pathways that mutually benefit 14 to 25-year-olds and employers seeking diverse talent.

Hessler concluded, "We at Kirkland & Ellis have recognized the long-term value associated with the time and resources we invest in these internships, nurturing a diverse pipeline of talent for us and the private sector."

The event will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, 50^th Floor, New York, NY 10022 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm ET. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to Gergana Trendafil, 646-880-3603.

Keynote speakers and panel moderators:

• Noel S. Anderson, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Educational Leadership and Director of the Educational Leadership Program, New York University
• Gregg Betheil, President, PENCIL
• Gabrielle Fialkoff, Senior Advisor to the Mayor of New York City and Director of the Mayor's Office of Strategic Partnerships
• Stephen E. Hessler, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Chair, Board of Directors, Futures and Options
• Randy Moore, Vice President, Post-secondary Partnerships & Innovation, HERE to HERE
• Richard Rivera, Executive Director, Internships, Summer Placemen & Special Initiatives, HERE to HERE

Panelists:

• Jeffrey Bickley, Human Resources Manager, Banana Republic, Manhattan and This Way Ahead NYC Leadership Team
• Martine Cadet, Vice President, Global Talent Enablement, Infor
• Kristin Cahill, Principal, H.E.R.O. High (Health, Education, and Research Occupations High School)
• John A. Cruz, MPA, Director, Geriatric Career Development, The New Jewish Home
• Jason Duchin, Co-Executive Director, DreamYard
• Simon Fenwick, Executive Vice President, Global Talent & Inclusion, IPG Mediabrands
• Ben Grossman, Principal, Bronx Academy for Software Engineering (BASE)
• Catalina M. Gutierrez, Managing & Sales Director, Corporate Work Study Program, Cristo Rey New York High School
• Liam McCarthy, Senior Director, Institutional Advancement and Strategic Planning, Wildlife Conservation Society
• Jeffrey Palladino, Principal, Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School
• Jennifer Stredler, Senior Director, Philanthropy & Engagement, Salesforce.org

Media Contact:

Patty Machir
Executive Director, Futures and Options
[email protected] 
646-880-3607

All other inquiries: Gergana Trendafil, 646-880-3603

About Partners for Progress
Partners for Progress is a diverse coalition of leaders across the business, nonprofit, government, and academic sectors who recognize the pressing need to open doors for our youth to meaningful professional careers—and who embrace the resulting positive impacts for those students, the business community, and beyond. Partners for Progress is dedicated to building a vibrant workforce for New York City by preparing youth from high-need communities to be productive employees and by providing early access to the training, exposure, and work experiences that are the catalysts for rewarding careers. Partners include Career Internship Network, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, DreamYard, Futures and Options, HERE to HERE, infor, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Kirkland & Ellis, the Mayor's Office of Strategic Partnerships, NYC Center for Youth Employment, The Opportunity Network, PENCIL, The Pinkerton Foundation, and salesforce.org.

SOURCE Partners for Progress