Georgia is Where Talent Meets Opportunity

The 3rd Annual 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit brought together Georgia’s leaders in education, industry, and workforce development to share innovative strategies that will propel Georgia as the Top State for Talent. A special highlight was the conversation with Governor Kemp and Caylee Noggle (Georgia Hospital Association), setting the tone for collaboration, innovation, and actionable strategies statewide.

Spotlight Discussions: 

• Preparing Students for the Journey (Moderator: Miki Edwards, Office of Governor Brian Kemp)
  • Jackie Lundberg – Chief Operating Officer, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement
  • Dr. Barbara Wall – Deputy Superintendent for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education, Georgia Department of Education
  • Karen Kirchler – Deputy Commissioner, Workforce Development, Technical College System of Georgia
  • Dr. Scot Lingrell – Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, University System of Georgia
  • Lance Wallace – Senior Vice President for External Affairs, Georgia Student Finance Commission
  • Mark Peevy – Chief of Staff, Technical College System of Georgia
• What Georgia Needs Next (Moderator: Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Georgia Department of Labor)
  • Jamal Jessie – Region Lead, Workforce Development, Google
  • Jonathan King – Director, Workforce Development, Georgia Power
  • Rachel Linton – Planning and Engagement Manager, Oglethorpe Power
  • Steven Jahng – Vice President, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing
  • Margaret Ciccarelli – Director of Legislative Services, Professional Association of Georgia Educators
  • Janet Pack – Director of Talent Acquisition, AT&T
• Regional Partnerships – From a High Demand List to Action (Moderator: Dale Winkler, Southern Regional Education Board)
  • Elton Dixon – Valdosta Chamber of Commerce
  • Dr. John Fuchko – President, Dalton State College
  • Eric Toler – Executive Director, Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center, Augusta University
  • Dr. Valery Lowe – Chief of Community Engagement & Lifelong Education, Forsyth County Schools
  • Dr. Stuart Rayfield – President, Columbus State University
  • Dr. Emmett Griswold – President, Albany Technical College
• Aligning Education and Workforce – A Statewide Strategy (Moderator: Caylee Noggle, Georgia Hospital Association)
  • Chancellor Sonny Perdue – University System of Georgia
  • Commissioner Greg Dozier – Technical College System of Georgia
  • Superintendent Richard Woods – Georgia Department of Education
  • President Chris Green – Georgia Student Finance Commission
  • Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes – Georgia Department of Labor
• Pathways to Possibility – Where Talent Meets Opportunity (Moderator: Miki Edwards, Office of Governor Brian Kemp)
  • Carson Greene – Jones County College & Career Academy
  • Joshua Powell – Chattahoochee Technical College, Aviation
  • Aliyah Johnson – Kennesaw State University, Nursing
  • Jeffrey Lowe – Georgia State University, Business of Music; transfer from Piedmont Technical College
  • Clara Romero – Georgia Institute of Technology, Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy; Graduate Candidate

The insights and strategies shared at the Summit are intended to extend beyond the Georgia World Congress Center, inspiring action in workplaces, classrooms, and communities throughout Georgia, and strengthening the state’s position as a place Where Talent Meets Opportunity.

This list identifies the state’s most in-demand careers and directs education, training, and funding toward them, ensuring students, job seekers, and educators focus on pathways with the strongest opportunities for employment and advancement.