Beyond the Walls Education & Industry Forum - Session 2 Recap: Developing Private Sector Programs That Move the Needle

Session 2 of our Beyond the Walls Education & Industry Forum brought education and industry leaders together to advance a shared goal: building effective, scalable pathways to prepare Milwaukee’s future workforce. The discussion focused on private-sector partnerships that are already delivering results—and on creating new connections to expand that impact.

The session opened with perspectives from Amanda Payne, President & CEO of the Waukesha County Business Alliance, and Mark Mone, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Both speakers emphasized the growing demand for talent, the importance of early career exposure, and the critical role collaboration plays in aligning education with workforce needs.

A representative from GPS Education Partners followed, sharing insights on their work-based learning continuum. The model provides students with structured, sequential exposure to the workplace through partnerships among schools, employers, and community organizations—helping students build skills, confidence, and career readiness before graduation.

These insights set the stage for a panel discussion moderated by Luke Harrison of the Cristo Rey Network. Panelists shared candid perspectives on what makes education–industry partnerships successful, including lessons learned, opportunities for growth, and goals for the future.

Panelists included:

• Chris Her-Xiong, CEO, Hmong American Peace Academy & Matt Spencer, Senior Project Manager, VJS Construction Services

• Everette Fernandes, Vice President, Corporate Work Study Program, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School & Tami Martin, Director of Workforce Development, Froedtert

• Rene Howard-Paez, President, St. Joan Antida High School & Maddy Tarbox, Marketing Director, Continuum Architects + Planners

  
  

The session concluded with a private sector fair, where attendees connected directly with 17 private-sector companies interested in creating or expanding work-based learning opportunities within their organizations.

Beyond the Walls continues to serve as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and action—bringing educators and employers together to strengthen talent pipelines and invest in Milwaukee’s workforce for the long term.