Highlights educational and workforce success across Southwest Florida
More than 130 CEOs and C-Suite executives attended the sold-out Breakfast of Champions, an event that shared 10 years of regional impact, partnership, and progress.
Dawn Belamarich, Collaboratory CEO, described FutureMakers as a movement that has brought together more than 230 cross-sector organizations and 400 leaders who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder to launch projects and change policies around education and workplace issues.
In the 10 years of impact, they have moved the needle by increasing high school graduation rates, technical college completion rates, credentialed workforce employees, start-up businesses, children who are kindergarten ready, and third graders with proficient reading skills.
Belamarich also announced a new goal to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the proportion of skilled workers, those holding high-quality credentials, to 60 percent by 2030. The goal aligns with the state’s initiative and is also supported by Florida Chamber of Commerce and Florida College Access Network.
“Southwest Florida doesn’t back down from big goals,” Belamarich said. “We come together. We innovate. We lead. And we deliver.”
Speakers included Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Aysegul Timur, president of Florida Gulf Coast University; Dave Harner, Lee County manager; and Dakota Pawlicki, director of Talent Hubs at CivicLab, who spoke about the impact of FutureMakers.
Wilson congratulated FutureMakers on “getting it right.”
“Everything can be solved by creating good jobs for people,” Wilson said.
He shared his concern for children born into generational poverty who live primarily in 15 percent of the 150 ZIP codes in Florida. He challenged businesses and nonprofits to adopt one of the ZIP codes and “step in and be a dot connector.”
“The secret to breaking generational poverty is for parents to receive job training and their kids to receive early learning,” Wilson said.
Belamarich reiterated that FutureMakers will continue to collaborate with its partners and expand its track record as a proven force for change.
“Collaboratory is committed to leveraging their superpower- convening partners across the region to champion social issues,” Belamarich said. “Our community deserves nothing less than a future where everyone has a chance to succeed.”
About FutureMakers Coalition
FutureMakers Coalition is a regional collective impact initiative that has been designated a Talent Hub by Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation to support local efforts to increase educational attainment. Formed in 2015 around existing regional collaborations, the Coalition is committed to creating a cradle-to-career pathway to ensure success for traditional students and adult learners. FutureMakers Coalition was one of Lumina Foundation’s 75 national Community Partners in Attainment and is a member of the National Talent Network. Collaboratory provides backbone/administrative support to FutureMakers Coalition.
