June 9, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Eastern

The willingness and ability of employers to implement practice change is key to building equitable workplaces. While many employers have the will, they are uncertain of the way. Cross-sector collaboration can accelerate employer practice change and advance workforce equity at scale by giving employers the skills, tools, and confidence to lead change.

The session highlights Chicago’s collective employer programs that use a cohort model to successfully shift employer behaviors across hiring, retention, and advancement with a focus on fair chance hiring, engaging young adults as they enter the workforce, training frontline managers, and accessing “untapped” talent across Chicago.

Presenters, including workforce development practitioners and employer partners, will share how cross-sector coordinated partnerships, peer learning, and coaching can support employers in moving from awareness to action. The session offers a practical, replicable framework for regions seeking to align multi-sector partnerships around equitable practice change.