Hello! In May, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to join a team of passionate and dedicated professionals at NAF. In my new role, I will be leading the organization’s work to advocate for policies and practices that prepare high school students for college and career success.

Please take a look at our recent policy & advocacy updates and highlights and reach out to me at jpautz@naf.org if you’d like to learn more about NAF’s advocacy work or collaborate on policy issues. I look forward to working with you!

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer helped NAF celebrate our founder and chairman, Sandy Weill, in video remarks at our 19th Annual Benefit. Senator Schumer celebrated NAF for over 40 years of preparing students of all backgrounds from across the country to attend college, enter the workforce, and pursue successful careers. Watch

Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education, shared a special message for attendees at NAF’s annual professional development conference, NAF Next. In her remarks, Dr. Loyd commended NAF’s updated approach to work-based learning to focus on student outcomes and our new ed-tech product KnoPro. Watch

Thought Leadership from NAF 

Exploring Summer Youth Employment Programs: Increasing Access Through Career Pathways

• NAF was a member of the Advance CTE work group that created this tool, which builds the case and provides actionable recommendations for state-led support in the intentional alignment of summer youth employment programs (SYEP) with career pathways and the work-based learning continuum, including through CTE

Strengthening SYEP: Introducing NYC Youth to Higher-Wage Career Paths

• NAF was a member of the NYC-focused work group that informed this report on expanding employer partnerships with summer youth employment programs to prepare students for careers in high-wage, growing industries.

Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: The Future of Workers Task Force Blueprint

• NAF was also involved in the task force responsible for developing this blueprint for making significant improvements in talent development, job training, and employer services across the five boroughs of New York City.

Secretary Miguel Cardona and Representative Frederica Wilson visited NAF academies at William H. Turner Tech High School in Miami to see how they are preparing their students on pathways to college and career success. 

Federal

• NAF has been meeting with Congressional offices to share our suggestions for the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

Michigan

• The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is administering a $250,000 grant opportunity that will cover start-up costs for districts interested in opening NAF Academies of Health Sciences.

New York

• Following the release of the Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: The Future of Workers Taskforce Blueprint report, NAF met with NYC Office of Talent and Workforce Development to discuss upcoming policy and how NAF can engage further with their team. NAF also spoke at the City & State Education in New York Summit on a panel about the future of education in New York City and State.

North Carolina

• NAF attended the NC Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Conference in August and looks forward to engaging with the Chamber more in the future.  

In partnership with industry leaders and corporations, this interactive tool offers any high school student the opportunity to tackle real-world problems faced by business leaders, receive expert feedback from professional mentors, grow their skills and resumes, and more – with opportunities to win cash and other prizes! Keep an eye out for the official launch announcement and opportunities to get involved!

This summer, he worked as a Summer Associate at the Boston Consulting Group, where he accepted an offer for a full-time position following his graduation from UT Austin in May 2024. Neil is an active NAF alum who has dedicated his time as an alumni mentee and in support of NAF’s policy & and advocacy efforts. Connect with Neil on LinkedIn 

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