At the recent Westchester County Association’s 73rd annual leadership event Michael N. Romita, WCA president and CEO, announced two new WCA-led initiatives designed to extend the impact of the organization. “So much of what we do is spotting trends, building alliances, growing support and consistent advocacy for the issues everyone is most concerned about, including our vital workforce. Recognizing the critical need to bolster our regional talent pipeline and stimulate economic growth, the WCA is launching a new workforce initiative, The 1,000 Jobs Challenge. This ambitious endeavor aims to fill 1,000 high-demand jobs in five years, translating to over $60 million in annual economic impact, underscoring the WCA’s commitment to proactively foster job creation and fortify Westchester’s position as a hub for talent and innovation.” 

Led by Jason Chapin, WCA’s director of Workforce Development, and guided by the work of WCA’s talent committee, “1000 Jobs” program elements will include WCA’s working groups, committees, job fairs, conferences, career days and grant initiatives, all aligned to address Westchester’s talent needs and attract young working professionals to Westchester. 

Romita announced that Andrew Weisz, president, RPW Group, and Brad Schwartz, partner, Zarin & Steinmetz LLP, are co-chairs of the WCA New Leader Roundtable, a new initiative to cultivate Westchester’s next generation of professional leaders. The powerhouse of young executives aims to engage emerging leaders to be a force for change through strategic activities and has already collaborated with Yonkers Partners in Education to provide high school students exposure to diverse career paths.

 The Westchester County Association is an influential professional membership organization in Westchester and the surrounding region with the purpose of uniting professional leaders to advance issues and lead initiatives that strengthen the regional economy, drive Westchester’s economic vitality, stimulate new business development and job creation and provide its members with the resources and talent they need to grow.