GRACE HEFFERNAN
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Expertise: Workforce Development
Team Member Since: 2019
What attracted you to education and workforce development?
We have an economy in America that doesn’t work for everyone. It is neither equitable nor accessible for many in our communities. I am drawn to workforce development because it is at the center of these tensions, existing at the intersection of the economy and people. Because of that, it presents an opportunity to influence not just the workforce system, but also economic and community development, and human services systems.
What TPMA value means the most to you and why?
Community Impact is the TPMA value that means the most to me because at the end of the day, that’s what this work is all about. Communities know their own strengths, weaknesses, assets and challenges better than anyone, so being a part of the infrastructure that helps them realize their vision for the future is a very special position to be in that I do not take lightly.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the people being served by the programs and projects of our clients. Their relentless tenacity to overcome barriers in the face of structural inequity to pursue better lives for themselves and their families inspires me to do the work that I do.
What is the most impactful project you have been a part of?
There are so many to choose from – it’s hard to pick a favorite! That said, I think the most impactful project that I have been a part of was with Towards Employment and it was the Cleveland based skills based hiring project, TalentNEO. It was my first exposure to the intersection of programmatic work and systems change and has subsequently fueled my interest in systems change work and competency and skills based sourcing and advancement.
