BHEF 2025 Spring Convening: Agenda

Monday, March 31, 2025

7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.    
Optional drop-in networking at the hotel bar 

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.    
Board of Directors Meeting (Board members and BHEF staff only)

11:00 a.m.    
Registration Opens 

12:00 p.m.    
Welcome Lunch and Opening Keynote

Welcoming remarks from:

  • Jeff Armstrong, President, California Polytechnic State University and BHEF Vice Chair
  • Laura Ipsen, CEO, Ellucian and BHEF Chair
  • Kristen Fox, CEO, Business-Higher Education Forum

Keynote Speaker:
Matt Beane, Author of The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines and Assistant Professor, UCSB

12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.    
Session I: The Talent Our Nation Needs: Building Tomorrow’s Workforce 

This opening session dives into the transformative role of AI in shaping industries today. Business leaders from diverse sectors will share use cases, cutting through the hype to showcase AI's tangible impacts on productivity and innovation. This session offers a unique opportunity to understand how businesses are integrating AI into their operations and the implications for aligning academic strategies with industry realities. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the evolving demands of AI-driven workplaces and how higher education can better support these shifts.    

Moderator:
Adela de la Torre, President, San Diego State University (TBC)

Speakers:

  • Aaron Nasi, Sr. Director, Cybersecurity, Albertsons
  • Walt Duflock, VP of Innovation, Western Growers
  • Lisa Gevelber, Global Vice President, Grow with Google

2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Break

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.    
Session II: Learning from Regional Ecosystems Meeting the Moment: Case Studies of Effective Partnerships 

This session explores how collaborative regional partnerships are addressing economic needs through coordinated efforts among businesses, higher education, government, and other stakeholders. Featuring compelling case studies, it will examine how these alliances tackle shared obstacles, the strategies behind their success, and the tangible outcomes they achieve. Attendees will gain practical insights into building and sustaining partnerships that effectively respond to evolving workforce demands. 

3:30 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Break and Transition to Bus Tour

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cal Poly Bus Tour: Learning by Doing

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.    
Board Chair’s Reception

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Board Chair’s Dinner and Fireside Chat on AI and a Human-Centered Economy

Join Jeff Armstrong, President, Cal Poly, and Paul LeBlanc, Former President of Southern New Hampshire University and co-founder of Matter and Space, for an engaging fireside chat exploring the role of AI in shaping a more human-centered economy. Drawing from his extensive experience at the intersection of education and technology, LeBlanc will discuss how AI can enhance workforce transitions, support lifelong learning, and put human well-being, connectedness, and flourishing at the center of work to empower individuals to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Speakers:

  • Jeff Armstrong, President, California Polytechnic State University
  • Paul LeBlanc, Former President of Southern New Hampshire University and co-founder of Matter and Space

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.    
Networking Breakfast 

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.    
Session III: Strategies to Activate All Human Talent and Potential in a Rapidly Changing World

Activating the full potential of the U.S. workforce is both an economic necessity and a cornerstone of social mobility. As businesses and higher education institutions grapple with shifting workforce dynamics and policies, strategies for sourcing, developing, and retaining students and workers are no longer enough. Political and economic shifts are changing the tools available to support talent development, while AI is reshaping skill and labor needs. These dynamics are posing ethical considerations that leaders must face as they navigate this new landscape. Panelists will share insights into building resilient, future-ready pipelines that drive economic success and social mobility in an era of rapid transformation.

Moderator:
Carol Carter, Founder and CEO, Global MindED

10:15 p.m.– 10:30 a.m.        
Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.    
Session IV: “How to Build It” Working Sessions

These facilitated peer-to-peer conversations enable networking and learning about effective approaches that advance our key initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss two topics of their choosing.

  1. Upskilling and Re-Skilling Strategies that Work in the Era of AI
  2. Beyond Internships: Building Scalable Models for Learning and Working
  3. The Power of Place: Effective Strategies for Regional Talent Ecosystems

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.    
Session V: Lunch and Fireside Chat: The Future of Work and AI  1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.    
 

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Session VI: Taking Action: How Higher Education and Business Can be America’s Engine
Partnerships between higher education and business have the potential to transform how the nation addresses its most urgent challenges. These collaborations are key to strengthening economic competitiveness, fostering social cohesion, and preparing a skilled workforce for the future. Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies for advancing these partnerships, along with tools to clearly convey their value to stakeholders, driving long-term prosperity for communities and the country.

2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Closing Discussion: Our Work Ahead and Next Steps

3:00 p.m.    
Meeting Adjourns