#United States #Washington #Opportunity@Work #STARs #LaFawn Davis

Opportunity@Work Expands Board to Enhance Skills-First Movement

In a significant step towards transforming the U.S. labor market, Opportunity@Work has appointed LaFawn Davis, formerly Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Indeed, to its Board of Directors. This move coincides with the organization's ongoing commitment to support the over 70 million workers classified as Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs), who possess skills acquired through non-traditional means rather than formal degrees.

The appointment is timely as the skills-first movement gains traction amidst the evolving landscape of the American workforce influenced by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). With a recent report indicating a 20% increase in jobs available to STARs, representing nearly 600,000 positions, Opportunity@Work is poised to leverage these dynamics to promote upward mobility among these underserved workers.

Byron Auguste, CEO and co-founder of Opportunity@Work, expressed the need for a reimagined labor market that addresses the flawed designs that often hinder employment opportunities for STARs. He emphasized that LaFawn Davis's extensive experience in talent development and her unique perspective as a STAR herself will be invaluable in achieving this objective. As she embarks on this new role, Davis aims to harness the potential of AI to create pathways that empower individuals based on their skills rather than their educational backgrounds.

LaFawn Davis: A Leader in Talent Development

LaFawn Davis is recognized for her capacity to bridge the gaps between technology, strategy, and human capability. During her tenure at Indeed, she played a pivotal role in initiating skills-first hiring practices, gaining firsthand insight into the complexities of moving towards a reformed hiring model devoid of degree biases. She is motivated by her personal journey of overcoming barriers in entering the workforce, making her a relatable figure for many struggling to find employment without traditional credentials.

“I’ve sat in the seat where decisions get made about who is considered ‘qualified,’ and I know how much talent gets filtered out before anyone looks at what a person can actually do,” said Davis. She believes this pivotal moment—shaped by rapid advancements in AI—presents an opportunity to redefine qualifications that may historically prioritize degrees.

The key challenge remains: Will AI perpetuate the old biases around degree requirements, or can it be utilized to value skills? Davis insists that shaping AI systems to recognize competencies should be a primary goal, and she is eager to contribute to this transformation through her involvement with Opportunity@Work.

Growth of the STARs Advisory Council

Alongside Davis’s appointment, Opportunity@Work welcomed twelve new members to its STARs Advisory Council. This Council, chaired by LaShana Lewis, focuses on ensuring STARs are actively involved in the initiatives designed to enhance their economic mobility. With a total of 19 members now, the Council represents the voices of those directly affected by labor market policies and practices.

“Every STAR knows what it feels like to be told you’re ‘one in a million’—when the truth is we’re one of millions, ready to contribute if someone will just open the door,” noted Lewis. The advisory board reflects the organization’s commitment to collaborative solutions that empower STARs not merely as beneficiaries but as architects of their own future.

Continued Momentum and Future Goals

The developments at Opportunity@Work stem from a foundational momentum established in 2025. At that time, they released their first State of the Paper Ceiling report, marking a crucial moment where STARs stopped losing ground in access to good-paying jobs. Currently, with the increase in job openings and ongoing community support initiatives, the organization aims to enable one million STARs to achieve upward mobility by establishing ten million jobs and generating an additional $20 billion in earnings by 2030.

This ongoing effort illustrates a broader, collective movement that champions skills-first hiring and advocates for essential changes in the job market, driven by the commitment of employers, governments, and individuals towards creating a more inclusive economy. Opportunity@Work remains at the forefront of this evolution, striving to transform labor market dynamics to benefit those ready and capable of contributing to America’s workforce.

For more information about Opportunity@Work and its initiatives, visit opportunityatwork.org.