Quentin Bradley, MBA, M.Ed. Quentin Bradley is a workforce development and talent strategy leader with over 15 years of experience across education and healthcare. As Director of Talent Management at Ochsner Health, he leads initiatives that build sustainable talent pipelines, expand access to opportunity, and align workforce strategy with real industry needs. He is known for designing innovative programs that connect education, community, and employers—creating clear pathways for both emerging talent and incumbent workers. His work focuses on advancing economic mobility through skills-based development, career exposure, and strategic partnerships. Quentin is an Aspen Institute Fellow, reflecting his commitment to values-driven leadership and driving meaningful impact in communities. He holds an MBA and a Master’s in Education and is a strong advocate for the future of work, particularly in expanding access, improving talent experiences, and reimagining how organizations develop and retain talent.

Claire Jecklin is the founder and chief executive officer of the New Orleans Career Center (NOCC). New Orleans Career Center is the city’s flagship CTE organization. NOCC is a half day career training center serving almost 700 high school students this year from every open enrollment school among New Orleans’ all-charter system. NOCC works closely with employers, higher education institutions, and workforce partners to design career-aligned training pathways that connect students to high-wage careers in high-demand industries as well as postsecondary opportunities such as additional training or apprenticeships. Jecklin is a former New Orleans charter high school principal, instructional leader, and teacher. With over 20 years of education experience, Claire holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in education leadership. She chairs the Youth Committee of the City of New Orleans Workforce Development Board and is a close collaborator with New Orleans Public Schools and a variety of youth and workforce aligned nonprofits, working to ensure youth in New Orleans have a pathway to economic and career advancement with family-sustaining wages. She was designated as the 2024 NFL Inspire Change Changemaker of the New Orleans Saints, has been recognized as one of the 2025 New Orleans 500 Most Influential Leaders in Business and Industry, and is a 2025 Pahara Fellow.

Dana Peterson is the CEO of New Schools for New Orleans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every child in the city has access to an excellent public school. In this role, he leads efforts to strengthen the conditions that allow great schools, educators, and communities to thrive - working across the ecosystem to support school leaders, advance policies that expand opportunity, and invest in initiatives that help make New Orleans one of the best places in the country to teach and learn. With nearly two decades of experience in education leadership and policy, Peterson has played a key role in efforts to improve schools and expand opportunity for students across Louisiana. He writes and speaks about education reform, civic leadership, and the lessons New Orleans offers communities across the country seeking to expand opportunity for students. Previously, Peterson served as Assistant State Superintendent at the Louisiana Department of Education and as CEO of the Baton Rouge Achievement Zone. Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy Superintendent of External Affairs of the Recovery School District. Peterson is the founding board chair of the New Orleans Career Center and founder and chair of alignED New Orleans. He currently serves on the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Houston and an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Dana lives in New Orleans with his wife, Karen, and is a member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church.