Upwardly Global hosts first community engagement session to discuss AI’s impact on the U.S. job market and connect jobseekers to real-time resources.
Coffee chats that lead to real, in-person connection — that was what Upwardly Global’s Community Engagement event felt like as our Promise Renewed Tour kicked off in Washington, D.C., this week. We brought together jobseekers, alumni, partners, and community leaders for a morning of meaningful conversations and shared purpose.
The first panel, “The Future of Work: Unlocking International Talent in the Age of AI,” featured leading voices that are shaping the future of our workforce. Moderated by Michelle Hackman of The Wall Street Journal, the conversation featured Gregory Haile, CEO of Upwardly Global, and Wendy Chan, AI Strategy and Transformation Executive at Accenture. Together, they discussed:
- How AI is reshaping the workforce and demanding that professionals keep up with changing expectations.
- How to leverage AI to support resume building, email outreach support, and interview practice.
- Building alternative pathways for internationally trained professionals through entrepreneurship and apprenticeship opportunities.
- The importance of human skills, including communication, critical thinking, and teamwork, as AI takes care of more administrative tasks.
- Leaning on the Upwardly Global community to help guide the job search process.
Another breakout panel featured Sarah Jackson‑Han, UpGlo D.C. Leadership Council member; Abdul Hadi Hazrat Shah, Senior Employment Services Advisor at UpGlo; and Lorena Aceff‑Coorsh, UpGlo alum and talent acquisition professional. Moderated by Abel Mucyo, UpGlo’s Senior Manager of Community Engagement, the conversation focused on real-time advice and candid discussions on career pathways, confidence building, and navigating the job search.
More than anything, the event highlighted the strength of UpGlo’s network: real people showing up for one another, sharing in-person insights and feedback, and building a more inclusive future of work together.
