MassHire Metro North Workforce Board

Meet Sacha Stadhard! We’re excited to welcome Sacha as the newest Board Member of the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board (2026), helping guide our mission and strategic direction. "Serving on the Board allows me to contribute my experience in workforce policy and system alignment to support innovative strategies that strengthen pathways to employment for jobseekers and meet employer needs." With deep expertise in workforce policy and system alignment, Sacha plays a key role in helping ensure our programs and policies align with our mission, strategic goals, and federal and state requirements. "I believe in serving others. In my role, I help people to help people navigate and access the resources and services they need to pursue meaningful careers." In addition to her Board role, Sacha also serves on our Workforce Systems Committee, further strengthening our impact across the region. Read more about Sacha on our website: https://lnkd.in/ez-uwiuU #masshire #massachusetts #meetourboard #workforce #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory

Meet Taneshia Camillo-Sheffey, Founder and Creative Director of MadeINcubator, Inc and Living Art Boston. Pioneering the first fashion and creative incubator of Boston, mentorship is a natural extension of Camillo-Sheffey's work. This Spring, she is sharing her entrepreneurial expertise with the next generation as a mentor for our New Biz WIOA Youth program. New Biz connects aspiring entrepreneurs with local small business owners who were once in their shoes. Mentorship is the heart of the program, and a defining feature of the model. "I think it is important for a mentor not to just tell the mentee what to do, but to help them realize their own strength, their own power in what they're doing," says Camillo-Sheffey. "That is the best part for me, where their moment is realized." Funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth grant, the second youth-focused cohort is currently underway. Providing 14 weeks of training through the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) “Start It Up” curriculum, local youth are learning business fundamentals, preparing for the Certiport Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) exam, developing a business plan, and learning to pitch their ideas to an audience. We will continue sharing the stories of our NewBiz mentors throughout the duration of this cohort, so stay tuned for more installments of our "Meet the Mentors" series! To learn more about NewBiz, visit the link to read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/eEbzVusu #entrepreneurship #mentorship #meetthementors #newbiz

Meet Nancy Conti! Since 2017, Nancy has served on the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board, bringing extensive expertise in human resources, including recruitment, benefits, and hiring. “I chose a career in HR because it is my passion to engage with people and support my organization in building inclusive, sustainable teams. Building careers not just jobs in my company.” Her work ties directly to the Board’s mission to build partnerships, generate resources, and champion workforce solutions that foster a skilled workforce, thriving businesses, and equitable access to meaningful careers. Why did Nancy join the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board? “I want to make a difference with people looking to find their career path and passion.”   Thank you, Nancy, for using your passion to serve job seekers and employers across Metro North! #workforcedevelopment #masshire #massachusetts #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #meetourboard Boyd

Not sure what careers are actually in demand right now? Our new Youth Career Guide, prepared by our Data & Impact Manager, Liana Gracia, breaks it down for you! Designed for teens and young adults, this guide helps you: • Explore real career paths • Understand local job opportunities • Learn what skills and training you actually need • Provides a list of free/low cost local training programs From first jobs to long-term career planning, it highlights the industries shaping the Metro North workforce and where the opportunities are growing. Check out the full guide on our website: https://lnkd.in/e3hkapW2

Meet Maria Kefallinou! Since 2017, Maria has served on the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board. As the Director at Cambridge Community Learning Center, she brings valuable experience in workforce development through direct community work, creating vital programs that respond to community needs. Maria also serves on our Workforce Systems Committee. Maria shares how her upbringing has shaped her career path: “Coming from a low-income family, I know firsthand the barriers one must overcome to build a stable future. I strongly believe that education is the key that opens doors, expands opportunities, and broadens horizons.” Maria also shares what serving on the MNWB means to her: “Serving on the Metro North Workforce Development Board offers a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of our communities. The Board brings together education, training, and employment efforts to align with local industry needs, and through strong partnerships with employers, ensures that individuals have access to the skills and opportunities needed for meaningful and stable careers.” We are thankful to have Maria’s voice and expertise at our table! #womenshistorymonth #workforcedevelopment #community #massachusetts #masshire

Meet Colleen Moran! Colleen has served on the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board since 2019 and has recently completed her term as Board Chair from 2023-2026. She also contributes her leadership to both the Board of Directors and Membership Committees, bringing deep expertise in workforce development, especially in healthcare.   For Colleen, this work is about much more than employment.   “Connecting people with good jobs is very meaningful and rewarding to me. Work is so much more than a paycheck - it provides purpose, social connection, confidence and competence, and a sense of being part of something larger than yourself. Building my career around fostering environments for people to grow in their careers has immense significance for me, that is my purpose.”   Her advice to young women interested in entering her field: “Get involved and build your network. Volunteer for any projects or committee work, attend professional events and sit with people you don't already know. You will learn how to do the tasks in your job description, and you need to learn the landscape as well.”   We’re grateful for Colleen’s leadership and dedication to the employers and jobseekers of Metro North!

Women are helping lead workforce development in the Metro North! At the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board, women hold 10 of the 18 seats on our Board (that’s 56%), representing industries from healthcare, education, government, nonprofits, manufacturing, and labor organizations, all working to strengthen workforce development in the Metro North region. The MassHire Metro North Workforce Board is a nonprofit that guides workforce development across the region and is one of 16 workforce boards in Massachusetts. Our Board brings together leaders from business, education, labor, and community organizations to help shape workforce programs, connect employers with talent, and expand access to job training and career opportunities. The Board also oversees the MassHire Metro North Career Center, which provides job search support for residents and hiring assistance for employers. Stay tuned throughout March as we spotlight some of the women helping guide workforce development across the Metro North region. Check out all 18 Board Members: https://lnkd.in/eeWMKPEd #workforcedevelopment #womenshistorymonth #Masshire #Massachusetts Maria Kefallinou Sacha Stadhard Colleen Moran Nancy Conti

Last week, MassAbility's Business Relations team connected with the local business community in Malden for a Morning Mixer Networking event in partnership with the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board and Malden Chamber of Commerce! We were excited to support a space for sharing best practices and exploring future collaboration while engaging with the local business community, non-profit organizations, and workforce and economic development partners. Local business connections are key to the work we do opening up opportunities to help persons with disabilities gain and maintain employment- and critical for businesses to recruit and retain qualified employees. If you’re a business or organization of any size, looking for talent acquisition support, come work with us! Send an introduction to MassAbilityBusinessRelations@mass.gov Watch this space to learn more about future networking event opportunities and how MassAbility can help address your recruitment needs!

Special thanks to Greg Walton, IT Support Engineer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for giving such an inspiring presentation to local students at Everett High School today. Speaking on the importance of grit and determination, students left feeling empowered to take on their futures with confidence! #careerreadiness #workforcedevelopment