Kelly Friend

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I am a workforce strategist and education leader with more than 15 years of experience connecting education, industry, and community to strengthen career pathways and talent pipelines. As Senior Manager of Education and Workforce at TPMA, I lead statewide initiatives that align education and workforce systems, expand mico-credential adoption, and advance employer engagement strategies across higher education. 

My experience spans leadership roles in higher education and workforce development, including Vice Chancellor of Student Success and Executive Director of Career Coaching & Employer Connections at Ivy Tech Community College, and Director of Workforce Development & Partnerships at Veryable Ops. My work focuses on scalable strategies that improve retention, credential attainment, and workforce readiness through collaboration between education and employers. 

I’m also a leader in Indiana’s veteran ecosystem—supporting efforts with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, INVets, and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to strengthen career pathways for transitioning service members and military-affiliated students. 

I’m a frequent speaker on workforce innovation, veteran readiness, and micro-credentialing, having been featured in TPMA’s Veteran Ready Communities webinar series and national workforce conferences.