September is Workforce Development Month, and we’re pleased to welcome members of the Colorado Workforce Development Council to the show to discuss the work CWDC does, what workforce centers do and what services they offer, and highlight the work they do in Jefferson and Larimer Counties, in particular.
Joining us are Lee Wheeler-Berliner, Managing Director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council, Kat Douglas, Director of the Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center, and Jacob Castillo, Director of Larimer County’s Economic & Workforce Development Department.
Hosted by Colorado Business Roundtable President Debbie Brown.
Lee Wheeler-Berliner
As the director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council Office, Lee manages the execution of strategies to develop and sustain an industry-led talent development system in Colorado. By forging relationships with industry and public partners at the local and state level, Lee helps to ensure the alignment of talent development efforts statewide. Lee has been with the CWDC for four years and brings extensive project management and leadership experience to this role. He previously worked as an independent consultant for mission-driven for-profit and nonprofit entities, as well as holding senior leadership positions with Hunger Free Colorado and Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates. Lee holds an MBA with a concentration in social entrepreneurship from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and is an active coffee drinker at his local Edgewater coffee shop.
Kat Douglas
Kat Douglas is the Director of the Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center. In this role she leads the workforce development solutions for a three-county region. By fostering partnerships with industry leaders, community organizations, education providers, economic development offices, and chambers of commerce, Kat ensures workforce efforts are aligned and best poised to meet the diverse industry and talent needs. Kat has been with Jefferson County for 17 years supporting the Human Services Department and leading the Community Development programs prior to joining the Business and Workforce Center in 2012. Kat holds an MPA from University of Colorado at Denver, and a BSBA with an emphasis in International Business from Denver University.
Jacob Castillo
Jacob Castillo serves as the Director of Larimer County’s Economic & Workforce Development Department. He has nearly two decades of diverse experience in regional economic and workforce development. Mr. Castillo has led the County’s effort to align local workforce initiatives and economic development activities to support upward mobility, wealth generation and economic inclusion. Castillo has co-founded two ventures with a strong social and environmental commitment. He was a contributing author to a text book on sustainable venturing and has served as an instructor at Colorado State University (CSU). He holds three undergraduate degrees in Agricultural Business, Foreign Language and Literature, and Economics from CSU and pursued a double masters in Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise and Agricultural & Resource Economics at CSU.