Hollie Marston, Senior Director, Network Engagement

One of my favorite parts of my job is introducing people to the Shift Work Forward network. I get to hear about the work they’re leading in their communities, the challenges they’re navigating, and the opportunities they’re excited about. I also get to share what makes this network so valuable to the more than 30 communities that are part of it.

Our Network Partners share a common goal: creating workforce systems that work better for everyone, especially workers and communities that have historically been left out of economic opportunity. It’s ambitious work. No one community has it all figured out. But when you bring together leaders from more than 30 communities, you end up with an incredible amount of experience, creativity, and real-world perspective. That’s what makes this network so valuable. It’s a place to learn from one another, challenge each other’s thinking, share what’s working (and what’s not), and bring new ideas back to our own communities.

That’s exactly what made getting to know the leaders at Prosper in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Future of Work Action Lab at United Way of the Greater Triangle in North Carolina so enjoyable. Over the past year, I’ve had the chance to learn more about the work they’re leading and the way they approach it. They asked thoughtful questions, were eager to connect with peers, and were genuinely interested in both contributing to and learning from the network. Today, I’m thrilled to officially welcome them as our newest Network Partners.

Meet Prosper

Prosper has emerged as an important convener in the Birmingham region, bringing together leaders from workforce, education, business, philanthropy, and government to advance a more connected and inclusive economy.

What most drew us to Prosper was the organization’s ability to build relationships, align diverse partners around shared goals, and create the conditions for lasting change. Their work recognizes that no one organization can solve today’s workforce challenges alone.

As part of the Shift Work Forward Network, Prosper will both contribute to and benefit from a national community of peers who are exploring many of the same questions: How do we create better jobs? How do we strengthen employer practices? How do we build workforce systems that are more responsive to workers, employers, and communities?

Meet the Future of Work Action Lab at United Way of the Greater Triangle

The Future of Work Action Lab is taking on a defining challenge facing one of the country’s fastest-growing regions: ensuring economic growth translates into greater opportunity for everyone.

Grounded in equity and focused on increasing lifetime earnings, the initiative brings together employers, community organizations, education, philanthropy, and public partners to create more connected pathways to economic mobility. Rather than focusing on isolated programs, the team is working to better align systems and partners around a shared vision for the region’s future.

What impressed us most was their willingness to think beyond individual initiatives and ask bigger questions about how workforce systems can evolve to better serve both workers and employers. Their long term perspective, collaborative approach, and commitment to measurable impact make them an exciting addition to our network.

The Power of Shared Learning

One of the greatest benefits of the Shift Work Forward Network is that every partner arrives as both a teacher and a learner.

Prosper and the Future of Work Initiative bring fresh ideas, different approaches, and valuable experience that will enrich conversations across our network. At the same time, they’ll join a community of leaders who openly share what’s working, what’s not, and what they’re learning as they work to strengthen workforce systems in their own communities.

The value of our network comes from the willingness of our partners to learn from one another. The best ideas don’t stay in one community. They grow stronger when they’re shared, challenged, adapted, and improved by others. I have no doubt Prosper and the Future of Work Initiative will make meaningful contributions to those conversations, and I’m equally excited about the relationships they’ll build and the ideas they’ll take back to their communities.

Welcome to the Shift Work Forward Network. We’re so glad you’re here.