Matthew Fieldman is the Executive Director of America Works, a nationwide initiative to coordinate the American manufacturing industry’s training efforts, generating a more capable, skilled, and diverse workforce. Based at MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Matt works across the nation’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network to increase collaboration, efficiency, and impact of local and regional workforce development efforts. Previously, he was Vice President of External Affairs for MAGNET, a nonprofit that helps Northeast Ohio’s small- and medium-sized manufacturers grow locally while competing globally. In this role, he launched the annual Ohio Manufacturing Survey; MSPIRE, a regional startup pitch competition; manufacturing apprenticeships for inner-city youth; and oversaw the organization’s fundraising, legislative relations, media relations, and more. In his volunteer work, Originally from Orlando, Florida, Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, cum laude, from the University of Florida, a Master of Business Administration from The George Washington University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University. He is a former Ariane de Rothschild and American Council on Germany Transatlantic Fellow and was also a Civil Society Fellow at the Aspen Institute.
Rahim Nichols, the Director of the Early College Early Career Program at MAGNET Ohio, raises awareness about life-changing manufacturing careers aimed at Northeast Ohio’s underserved populations. Rahim joined MAGNET in 2020, bringing with him an enthusiasm for helping individuals with substance abuse, mental health, and educational challenges. A Cleveland State Graduate, Rahim loves collaborating with his ECEC team on projects that can transform the fortunes of the region’s underrepresented youth. His passion has even taken him overseas, where he worked among young leaders in the African nation of Zambia. Rahim has been fortunate to work for several non-profits in the city while also previously working in public service for Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court for eight years.
Shonda Anderson is the Director of Internships and Apprenticeships for the Kansas Department of Commerce. She grew up in Colorado, earning an undergraduate degree in agriculture and resource economics and agricultural education from Colorado State University. Over 20 years ago, life brought her to Kansas, where she earned a master’s in agricultural economics from Kansas State University. Previously, she was the director of the apprenticeship for Kansas City’s Metropolitan Community College. She is a proud mother of two and will never forget she started her career driving dump trucks for her dad’s asphalt business.
Heather A. McKay is the Senior Vice President of Employer Engagement and Executive Director of the Strada Institute for the Future of Work. Prior to joining the Strada Institute, she served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE), a newly formed office in the Commonwealth housed at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership charged with examining linkages between education and the labor market. Before coming to VOEE Heather was the founding director of the Education and Employment Research Center at the School of Management and Labor Relations at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. At Rutgers, Heather researched and evaluated community college programs, state and federal workforce development systems, and education and workforce policies. Heather completed her bachelor’s degree at Bryn Mawr College. She has a master’s degree in history and a master’s degree in global affairs from Rutgers University.
