Building a Stronger Future: Exploring the Intersection of Workforce Development and Investment

Empowering Communities Through Strategic Investments in Skills and Talent

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  Linda Topoleski

  Linda Topoleski serves as Vice President for Talent Strategy and Programs at the Allegheny Conference. In her role, Linda directs talent attraction and retention initiatives, including a regional Talent Council which focuses on making the Pittsburgh region more competitive in attracting and retaining talent. Linda was instrumental in the development and stakeholder outreach for the Conference’s landmark workforce report, Inflection Point: Supply, Demand and the Future of Work in the Pittsburgh Region. This report has become a defining element of workforce strategy in the region and a model studied by other regions across the U.S. She’s most passionate about the Pittsburgh region’s ability to come together at pivotal times in our history to solve the biggest challenges we face and create an example for the world to follow. Prior to the Conference, Linda provided marketing, communications and strategic planning expertise to regional and global corporations and nonprofits in the education, economic development, health care and technology fields. Clients have included: Alcoa Foundation, Apple, Bayer, National Science Foundation, and The Pittsburgh Promise. She has been recognized nationally and regionally with public relations and advertising industry awards, including the CIPRA (Creativity in Public Relations), the Edward L. Bernays Award for Excellence in Public Relations, the Public Relations Society of America-Pittsburgh Renaissance Awards, and ADDY Awards for her role in directing regional and national advertising programs. Linda holds a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She serves on the board of directors of Partner4Work, and is a member of the Carnegie Science Center STEM Advisory Committee, the University of Pittsburgh School of Computing and Information Workforce Advisory Council, and the Remake Learning Council.

  Allegheny Conference on Community Development

  VP, Talent Strategy & Programs

  Works with investors to grow the region through talent

  Linda Topoleski

  VP, Talent Strategy & Programs

  Allegheny Conference on Community Development

• Help member companies recruit, train, & retain skilled workers

  Lance Harrell

  Director, Workforce Development and DEI

  The Master Builders’ Association

• Oversees 21 Career & Technical Education programs

  Angela Mike

  CTE Executive Director

  Pittsburgh Public Schools

• Moderator

  Adrienne Miles

  DEI Manager

  UPMC Corporate Construction

Exploring Pittsburgh's Construction & Development Landscape

Analyzing Trends that will Influence Future Developments in the Industrial, Residential, and Mixed-Use Sectors

• promote the economic development of PAACC

  Chris Heck

  President/ CEO

  Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

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  Michael Goldstrom

  Mike is an experienced Senior VP of Real Estate with a demonstrated history of working in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years. Mike was a Naval Officer on active duty from 1994 to 2001 and then a Naval Reservist until 2003. He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Old Dominion University with a Masters in Engineering Management. Mike has a solid real estate background skilled in land development, project management, property management, and ground-up construction. Mike has been with RIDC for just over two years leading Construction/Development, Property Management and Asset management. Previous to RIDC Mike spent five years with Al. Neyer LLC is leading its design-build and development practice in the Pittsburgh market. Before that, Mike spent over six years with the international Real Estate Services Company – JLL. He started and grew the Project and Development Services practice in the Western Pennsylvania market. Previously, Mike spent over eight years working for Millcraft Investments and Oxford Development Company – two of the more well-known real estate developments firms in the region, managing third-party and self-developed projects in the Pittsburgh area. Major projects he has worked on include Mill 19, Carrie Furnace, Fairywood Industrial, JLG/Oshkosh – Findlay Township, Theater Square, UPMC Shadyside – Posner Tower Addition, Market Square Place, and ANSYS Headquarters – Southpointe.

  Regional Industrial Development Corporation

  SVP Real Estate

  Mill 19 & Carrie Furnace

  Michael Goldstrom

  SVP Real Estate

  Regional Industrial Development Corporation

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  Bomani Howze

  Bomani M. Howze is Vice President of Development for the Buccini/Pollin Group, a real estate company that focuses on the acquisition, development and management of hotels, commercial and residential real estate. Bomani’s primary focus is on commercial office and multifamily housing. This includes advancing financing, entitlement approvals, leasing and Greenlining efforts. Mr. Howze played a key administrative role in the recent commencement of construction for the 26 story, FNB Financial Center in Pittsburgh’s Lower Hill District. Prior to this role he founded OLMEC Development Company and has helped secure an award of 500+ residential, mixed income units.

  The Buccini/Pollin Group

  VP of Development

  LOWER HILL DISTRICT CIVIC ARENA

  Bomani Howze

  VP of Development

  The Buccini/Pollin Group

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  Steve Mazza

  Steve Mazza was born and raised in Sheraden, Pennsylvania. Steve brings more than 30 years of building trade experience as well as community relationship building through the projects he has worked on, and the committees and organizations for which he serves. As a Council Representative for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (Formerly Keystone + Mountain + Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters), Steve works firsthand with contractors, politicians, engineers, architects, union leadership and the membership to achieve overall goals for projects and the community. Steve has been actively involved in politics and community service throughout his entire career, with a significant focus on jobs and building the region. Steve is one of the Vice Presidents of the Pittsburgh Building & Construction Trades Union and is currently the Chairman of the Pittsburgh Construction Tax Fraud Task Force. He has held several notable positions as a member of the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Local 432, including Vice President, Recording Secretary, and Delegate. Before rising through the ranks and becoming a Council Representative, Steve worked on many significant union projects, including PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the Heinz History Center. Steve is a long-time member of the Allegheny County Labor Council and is the Parade Chairman of the annual Pittsburgh Labor Day Parade, coordinating with 75,000 union members and families. He is an appointed representative of Pittsburgh’s Land Bank, a Rebuilding Together Board Member, and a 20th Ward Committee Person for more than 15 years.

  Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

  Council Representative

  KEYSTONE MOUNTAIN LAKES CARPENTERS TRAINING FUND

  Steve Mazza

  Council Representative

  Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters

• Moderator

  Tommy McCafferty

  First VP

  CBRE