New England Workforce Network Conference

Save the Date
Friday, March 14, 2025
Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyannough Road
West Barnstable, MA 02668

The New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference is a collaborative effort with workforce professionals from all over New England. NEWN was conceived in 2001 in response to the desire among workforce development providers to share best practices and network in a larger context that goes beyond state boundaries. Since 2002, NEWN has held 12 conferences that focused on a range of topics that resonate among professionals who are involved in workforce development within community colleges, workforce development boards, economic development agencies and other settings. This year, representatives from the New England states have chosen the theme Embracing the Entrepreneurial Mindset: Driving Innovation in Workforce Development, recognizing our resourcefulness, adaptability, and persistence as workforce development professionals. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset involves a proactive approach to problem-solving, a willingness to take risks, a focus on innovation and a strong drive for success. By cultivating these traits, workforce development professionals can better meet the needs of the workforce and ignite positive transformation in their organizations and communities. 

Keynote

Dr. Liza Talusan, a distinguished facilitator, educator, and scholar-practitioner specializing in leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion, will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the New England Workforce Network Conference on March 14, 2025. Dr. Talusan will guide us in community discussions aimed at fostering innovation in workforce development while reinforcing our commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice.

Dr. Talusan is an educator, strategic change partner, leader, writer, leadership coach and parent. With over 25 years of experience in PreK-20 education and organizational leadership, Liza is an engaging facilitator in conversations about diversity, anti-racism, bias, privilege and power and creates environments that allow for people to build skills for difficult conversations. Liza’s approach is focused on empowering individuals to create a more inclusive organization, environment, community and team.  

Dr. Talusan has been invited to more than 350 organizations across the country and internationally to deliver keynote addresses and facilitate dialogue groups, training workshops, strategic planning, and change management. Certified as a Professional Coach by the Institute for Professional Education in Coaching (iPEC), Liza helps individuals and organizations achieve their goals by centering values, strengths, and vision.  

Talusan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Child Development from Connecticut College; Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from New York University; Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Massachusetts Boston; Certificate in Human Resources, Stonehill College; and PCC Coaching Credentials.  

Liza's cumulative research interests include identity-conscious practices; the experiences of underrepresented populations; Asian American and Pacific Islander students; socialization to graduate programs; navigating academic parenthood; interracial relationships; recognizing and reducing unconscious bias; and the impact of federal financial aid policies. She has integrated scholarship and research by conducting equity audits and organizational focus groups.  

In addition to her work at the national level with corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools, Liza serves as a faculty member in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she teaches in both the Masters and Doctoral programs.  Her recent book The Identity Conscious Educator: Building habits and skills for more inclusive schools was published by Solution Tree Press in 2022 and earned a Gold Medal from the IPPY Awards in 2023.