FOCUS Forums are a series of engaging public discussions featuring expert panelists who discuss a range of topics that impact Central New York residents, including education, environment, local government, business, health, public service, and more. Each forum consists of insightful presentations followed by a moderated Q&A session that encourages community participation. We aim to create an inclusive space for residents to learn and contribute to the issues that matter most in our community.
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026 | Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (Doors Open at 11:45 a.m.)
Registration & Location: In-Person & Zoom. Registration: Free and Open to Everyone.
This FOCUS Forum FOCUS Forum will be held in-person at One Group, with the option of virtual participation via Zoom.
Topic: Join FOCUS for a hybrid public forum exploring how Central New York is building and reshaping its workforce system, and what it means for residents, employers, and the broader civic community. Across the region, training programs, workforce development systems, and employers are working to respond to changing skill demands and evolving economic conditions. This conversation brings together ERIE21, CenterState CEO, and the Manufacturers Association (MACNY) to examine how these systems interact in practice; where alignment is happening, where gaps remain, and what it takes to translate training into sustainable opportunity. The discussion will focus on how workforce pipelines are formed and supported across education and industry, how employers communicate and adapt to talent needs, and how regional partnerships are shaping access to careers in a changing economy. Importantly, the forum will also highlight how residents can play an active civic role in this system, not only by preparing for opportunities, but by engaging with the policies, partnerships, and decisions that shape workforce development across Central New York. After opening remarks from our panel, the conversation moves to a moderated Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and discover ways to engage with local priorities and initiatives. This is a welcoming, respectful space for community members to learn, engage, and explore ways to be actively involved in shaping the civic life of Central New York.
Language Access: FOCUS Forums are presented in English. Zoom provides optional, automated live captions and translation features that participants may choose to enable. These tools are generated by Zoom and are not professionally interpreted.
How We Built This Conversation: This topic was shaped by community input and informed by data from the CNY Vitals Life Needs Assessment, which tracks the issues impacting Central New York most. Have a topic you’d like to see at a future FOCUS Forum? Suggest a topic or panelist here.
Panelists:
Aimee Durfee, Vice President of Workforce Innovation, CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity
Amy Stage, Director of Registered Apprenticeship | Deputy Director, MTI, MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
Tylah Worrell, Program Director, ERIE21 at Le Moyne College
Tylah Worrell was raised in Syracuse and serves as the Program Director of ERIE21 and HARC at Le Moyne College. She is a workforce development program director and community systems builder working across workforce development, education, and community investment. Her work centers on advancing economic equity through durable systems that expand access, stability, and opportunity, and she designs and leads initiatives that dismantle structural barriers, align institutions, and create pathways to financial freedom and long-term prosperity.
Through ERIE21, a multi-generational workforce development and STEAM education initiative, she leads programming that serves families from youth through adulthood across Central New York. She also directs HARC, the Healthcare Advancement Resource Center, which supports internationally medically trained graduates through mentorship and career navigation as they build pathways into the healthcare workforce.
A 2023 graduate of Citizens Academy through FOCUS, Tylah credits the program with changing the trajectory of her career, helping her find alignment and purpose in civic engagement. Today she invests her time, talent, and treasures in contributing to her community in meaningful ways.
At the core of her work is connection: connecting people to opportunity, institutions to strategy, and systems to the communities they serve.
Elevate Our Community By Sponsoring a 2026 FOCUS Forum!
Join us in making a difference by becoming a sponsor and helping sustain this impactful program! Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, organizations, and businesses who are eager to make a positive impact!