In this episode, Amber Shepherd, the strategic alliances business partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation, discusses her transformative career journey from rural Florida to global consulting and her extensive experience in workforce development. Amber shares insights on overcoming organizational challenges, promoting a strong workforce culture, and the importance of inspirational leadership. She emphasizes the significance of employee engagement, career growth, and breaking departmental silos for organizational success.

Episode Highlights:

02:51 Amber's Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Global Consultant

09:56 Transformational Leadership and Workforce Development

13:06 The CEO's Compass: Navigating Leadership Challenges

14:47 Amber's Secret Sauce: Achieving High Placement Rates

26:21 Strategic Workforce Development: Challenges and Solutions

Amber Shepherd is the Strategic Alliances Business Partner at Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation (NEFEDC). As a local business owner and global consultant with a dynamic career in global B2B/B2C business development, customer service, and operations across multiple industries, she brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative strategies to her role. Having nearly 15 years’ experience in workforce development, Amber's roles in Career Services showcased her extensive expertise in aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs. Her experience enhances her ability to support workforce initiatives at NEFEDC, promoting regional economic growth through skilled workforce development. As a global executive management consultant, she drives high-impact marketing strategies, fostering growth through data-driven insights. Amber's ability to turn complex business challenges into strategic opportunities significantly enhances her role at NEFEDC, fostering economic development and community engagement while leading efforts to connect the corporation with key initiatives both nationally and internationally.

How to connect with Amber:

Website: www.nefedc.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-shepherd-mhrm-823b0734/

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