Degan Mercado Leopold on Building Better Talent Pipelines

How can New York City’s workforce system move beyond one-off opportunities and become a true engine of economic mobility?On this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Greg Morris sits down with Degan Mercado Leopold, Chief Partnerships Officer at the New York Jobs CEO Council, for a conversation about employer engagement, public talent pipelines, career-connected learning, and what it takes to connect more New Yorkers to high-demand careers.Together, they discuss the role of CUNY, NYC Public Schools, internships, work-based learning, and cross-sector partnerships in building a more coordinated workforce system — one rooted in trust, access, and real economic opportunity.Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionTopics: New York Jobs CEO Council; workforce development; economic mobility; public-private partnerships; employer engagement; CUNY; New York City Public Schools; career-connected learning; internships; talent pipelines; durable skills; systems change; New York City