WPWDB Annual Meeting Ignited the Spark: Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in a Multi-Generational Workforce
By Sherry Bruck, Westchester-Putnam Career Center Operator
On June 24, 2025, the Westchester-Putnam Development Board (WPWDB) celebrated a successful year of collaboration between state and county agencies, non-profits, public education and the private sector to engage and unleash the potential of the current and upcoming workforce. The meeting was held at The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College, Valhalla, N.Y. and was attended by over 200 local business, education, non-profit, and government leaders, as well as workforce staff.
The meeting kicked off with breakfast and networking before transitioning to the keynote theme — “Igniting the Spark: Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in a Multi-Generational Workforce.” Author and internationally known speaker Mark C. Perna spoke for 90 minutes, identifying and unlocking the secrets of the Why Generation: how they think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions. He spoke on how the landscape of education, workforce and economic development has shifted and led to disengaged, demotivated youth. The solution is through ‘education with a purpose’ which leads to ‘employment with passion.’
Perna said: “I believe this generation is the smartest, most innovative generation in 50 years. They can achieve beyond all expectations if we bridge the generational divide and answer their why. As the skills gap widens, employers must tap into the creativity, intelligence and potential of the next generation.”
Westchester County Department of Social Services Commissioner Leonard Townes said: “Mark is a compelling and passionate speaker, who is dedicated to helping young people reach their potential no matter their career path and education level. I wish every educator and parent could have attended the meeting as it is evident that our current system and method of motivating students and preparing them for a career is not working. I walked away inspired to have Mark back and I look forward to reading his book ‘Answering WhY.’”
Katrina Alexander, Westchester County Deputy Commissioner, Department of Social Services, said:
“Changing embedded systemic paradigms can be overwhelming. I appreciated how Mark clearly articulated the challenges and offered practical tools stakeholders can use to create real change. I left the meeting feeling hopeful for our shared future.”
WPWDB Executive Director Thom Kleiner said: “Mark Perna so clearly demonstrated the importance of building a Competitive Advantage through three crucial components 1) academic knowledge 2) technical abilities AND most importantly 3) professional skills which many people call soft skills. Mark speaks to thousands of middle school and high school students and he has found that is crucial to make education relevant to their lifestyle and career goals no matter how grand, modest or laid back. This mindset is crucial for our employment counselors when advising customers.”
WPWDB Board member and business owner of Madison Approach, Inc. Allison Madison said: “I found Mark’s ‘Career Tree’ visual perfectly demonstrated the vast depth and breadth of professions like Culinary, Biomedical, Electrician which all have many entry level, technical and professional career tracks that require varying types of credentials, certificates and degrees. Every school should have career tree murals on their walls so students can see all of their options. The career tree is designed to keep students engaged and motivated, no matter how many times they change direction. What a transformational tool!”
To watch the keynote presentation click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SUiktUV73I
To learn more about the career tree: https://www.tfsresults.com/career-tree/
