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Maria Flynn

Maria Flynn

President and CEO at Jobs for the Future

Maria Flynn is the president & CEO of Jobs for the Future (JFF), a leader in workforce policy and economic advancement. She has driven JFF’s growth, launching JFFLabs to bridge traditional education and workforce systems with tech-driven solutions. Under her leadership, JFF acquired the Employment Technology Fund (now JFF Ventures) and EQOS, strengthening its impact on equitable career pathways. Before joining JFF in 2007, she was a senior executive at the U.S. Department of Labor, shaping national workforce policies. A recognized expert, Maria speaks at major conferences and has testified before the U.S. Senate on workforce reform. She was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact list and recognized among Massachusetts’ top women-led businesses. She serves on the SkillUp Coalition board and is a member of NationSwell and Chief. Frequently featured in top media outlets, Maria continues to shape the future of work and education policy.

2023 Back to School Featured Speaker
Global Skills Week

Maria Flynn

President and CEO at Jobs for the Future

Maria Flynn is the president & CEO of Jobs for the Future (JFF), a leader in workforce policy and economic advancement. She has driven JFF’s growth, launching JFFLabs to bridge traditional education and workforce systems with tech-driven solutions. Under her leadership, JFF acquired the Employment Technology Fund (now JFF Ventures) and EQOS, strengthening its impact on equitable career pathways. Before joining JFF in 2007, she was a senior executive at the U.S. Department of Labor, shaping national workforce policies. A recognized expert, Maria speaks at major conferences and has testified before the U.S. Senate on workforce reform. She was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50: Impact list and recognized among Massachusetts’ top women-led businesses. She serves on the SkillUp Coalition board and is a member of NationSwell and Chief. Frequently featured in top media outlets, Maria continues to shape the future of work and education policy.

2023 Back to School Featured Speaker
Global Skills Week
2025 Global Skills Summit
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
9:45 am

Opening Panel: The Future of Skills and Economic Opportunity—Breaking Barriers, Unlocking Growth

This high impact opening panel explores the U.S. skills economy, identifying key barriers, opportunities, and strategies to strengthen workforce resilience and economic mobility. With deep expertise in higher education, workforce and education policy, and philanthropic investment, our panelists will highlight key drivers for advancing skills-based pathways. Moderated by Maura Pally (Blackstone Charitable Foundation), this conversation brings together Maria Flynn (Jobs for the Future), Ted Mitchell (ACE), and Julie Lammers (ASA) to set the stage for the day’s deep dives and workshops, providing a strategic foundation for action.
Details
2023 New York, 'Back to School' Summit
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
4:30 pm

Powering the transformation of U.S and Global education and workforce systems

Here in the US, Jobs for the Future recently announced it’s New North Star Goal: In 10 Years, 75 Million People Facing Systemic Barriers to Advancement Will Work in Quality Jobs. Less than half of employed workers in the U.S. are in quality jobs; JFF aims to improve the number with support from a coalition of public, private, and nonprofit sector changemakers. Meanwhile, OpenClassrooms, based in Europe delivers upskilling to learners in over 180 countries. In OpenClassroom’s 2022 Mission Report the company reaffirmed it believes that education should be accessible to everyone and everywhere. Regardless of age, gender and ethnicity. Regardless of social and cultural background. Regardless of financial capacities.
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