MOED Director Named President of
U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council
Karen Sitnick elected to serve one year term

Baltimore, MD - Mayor’s Office of Employment Development Director Karen Sitnick was elected president of the United States Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (WDC) at the organization’s 78th Winter Meeting last week in Washington D.C. Ms. Sitnick will lead the WDC for the next year and will continue the council’s efforts to provide a forum for Mayors and their employment and training administrators to examine all workforce development issues and to strengthen the ability of cities to meet the needs of their citizens; particularly economically disadvantaged individuals, those with serious skill deficiencies, dislocated workers, and others with special barriers to employment, including youth.   

“I am honored to serve in this important role with the U.S. Conference of Mayors,” said Ms. Sitnick. “Jobs and the economy continue to be a primary focus for Baltimore and all cities, and I look forward to providing mayors with the critical information that will help them effectively address today’s workforce development challenges.”

“With an impressive record of accomplishments, the Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council remains the most important voice in the nation for the myriad of workforce issues faced by cities, and a dynamic vehicle to help mayors and their staff members address local economic, education, training and job challenges in an increasingly complex world, particularly the transition from blue collar to green collar jobs,” said Conference CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. “We are delighted that Karen Sitnick has been selected by her peers to serve as president of this important Conference of Mayors affiliate organization, and we look forward to her strong leadership and vision as we strive to put Americans back to work.”

Noting that last year the WDC provided technical assistance to cities to assist with the implementation of summer jobs programs funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Ms. Sitnick added, “This is a great example of how the council provides timely and vital resources to our nation’s local employment and training systems. We will continue to support cities over the next year as they link job seekers to employment opportunities.”

Ms. Sitnick will be supported in her WDC role by 1st Vice President Thomas Phillips, president/CEO, Capital Workforce Partners in Hartford, Connecticut and 2nd Vice President Clyde McQueen, president/CEO, Full Employment Council in Kansas City, Missouri.