2026 Securing Our Future Economic Mobility Summit
Description
The Securing our Future Economic Mobility Summit convenes cross‑sector leaders, practitioners, advocates, and community members to advance practical solutions that strengthen pathways to upward mobility. This full‑day experience moves beyond conversation to action—connecting policy, practice, data, and lived experience across the systems that shape economic stability.
Through a series of thematic workshops and experiential learning opportunities, participants will explore how coordinated strategies across housing, employment, transportation, food access, education, health and wellness, childcare, safety and justice, and place‑based initiatives can drive lasting economic outcomes for individuals and families. Each session is designed to surface real‑world challenges, spotlight innovative approaches, and elevate strategies that can be scaled and sustained.
What makes the Economic Mobility Summit unique is its deep grounding in lived experience and its emphasis on systems alignment. Sessions bring together local government, nonprofit and community‑based organizations, workforce partners, education institutions, and families to examine how policies and programs intersect—and where collaboration can unlock greater impact.
Attendees can expect:
Interactive workshops led by subject‑matter experts and community partners across key economic mobility domains
Place‑based and project‑focused learning, highlighting on‑the‑ground initiatives and community investments
Cross‑sector dialogue that connects data, funding, and practice to real outcomes
A focus on actionable insights and partnerships that extend beyond the Summit
Whether you are shaping policy, delivering services, funding solutions, or navigating systems firsthand, the 2026 Economic Mobility Summit offers a space to learn, connect, and contribute to strategies that help communities—and the people within them—thrive.
2026 Economic Mobility Summit Agenda
- 8:00 am - 9:00 am
Continental Breakfast
- 9:00 am - 10:30 am
Welcome / Opening Plenary: The Power of Place
"The Power of Place: Reimagining Communities Through Place-Based Economic Mobility Strategies"
- 10:30 am - 10:45 am
Refreshment Break & Transition to Breakout Session #1
Join us for some coffee and tea while you transition to the first of two Breakout sessions.
- 10:45 am - 11:45 am
Breakout Session #1 (See Breakout Session #1 tab above)
- 11:45 am - 12:00 pm
Transition to Lunch
Make your way from your Breakout sessions to the Lunch Plenary. Lunch will be served in the foyer and eaten in the plenary.
- 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch Plenary: Opportunity by Design
"Opportunity by Design: A Blueprint for Measuring and Expanding Economic Opportunity One ZIP Code at a Time"
- 1:30 pm - 1:45 pm
Transition to Breakout Session #2
Make your way from the Plenary to Breakout Session #2
- 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm
Breakout Session #2 (See Breakout Session #2 tab above)
- 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Refreshment Break
Get Energized with our second break of the day. We are providing lemonade, iced tea, mixed nuts, dried fruits, berry salad, and assorted smoothie shots.
- 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Closing Plenary: AI & the Future of Economic Mobility
- 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Summit Reception
Unwind with your Summit peers as you put theory to action!
Lineup
Raphael Clemente
Raphael Clemente will be joining us, as our Moderator, of the Morning Plenary: "The Power of Place: Reimagining Communities Through Place-Based Economic Mobility Strategies". Raphael is an urban planning and community development professional with nearly three decades of experience working in both the public and nonprofit sectors in Palm Beach County. He currently serves as Executive Director of Palm Beach Venture Philanthropy at the Quantum Foundation, where he leads place-based initiatives focused on neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, small-business development, and improving social determinants of health.
Keith Fudge
Keith Fudge will be joining us, as a panelist, of the Morning Plenary: "The Power of Place: Reimagining Communities Through Place-Based Economic Mobility Strategies". Keith is a director of policy management in the Research to Action Lab at the Urban Institute. He directs a body of work focused on providing data, tools, and technical assistance to support communities in increasing upward mobility from poverty. Previously, he managed the Evidence-Based Policymaking Collaborative and led technical assistance engagements for Urban's Pay for Success Initiative. Prior to Urban, Fudge worked in the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Policy Development and Research, where he supported research and communications efforts, including editing HUD at 50: Creating Pathways to Opportunity and editing and writing for Evidence Matters. He was a founding staffer and senior project manager for the White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities. Fudge has a BA in English from the University of Michigan and an MPP from the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Upendo Shabazz
Upendo Shabazz will be joining us, as a panelist, of the Morning Plenary: "The Power of Place: Reimagining Communities Through Place-Based Economic Mobility Strategies". Upendo Shabazz, with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit philanthropic sector, accepted the CEO position at Northend RISE in August 2024. Previously, she served as Regional Vice President for Allegany Franciscan Ministries and held roles at United Way of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County School District. Upendo began her career as a social worker and excels in managing people and relationships in the philanthropic sector. She has taught at Barry University and is a frequent speaker on placed-based investment and Trust-based philanthropy. Upendo holds degrees from Florida State University and certifications from the University of Miami.
Taruna Malhotra
Taruna Malhotra is a panelist on the Safety & Justice session "Safe Communities, Strong Economies: Reforming the Justice System to Support Second Chances and Economic Opportunity".
Orie Bullard
Orie Bullard is a panelist on the Safety & Justice session "Safe Communities, Strong Economies: Reforming the Justice System to Support Second Chances and Economic Opportunity".
Daniel Eisinger
Daniel Eisinger is a panelist on the Safety & Justice session "Safe Communities, Strong Economies: Reforming the Justice System to Support Second Chances and Economic Opportunity". Daniel Eisinger, a lifelong resident of Wellington, Florida, and an alumnus of the University of Florida, has been with the Palm Beach County Public Defender's office since 2003. He has extensive experience representing clients in various criminal cases and currently oversees a large team and budget. Daniel is actively involved in initiatives to reduce jail populations and address racial disparities, and he is a member of several professional organizations. He will begin his first term as Public Defender in January 2025.
Elisa Cramer
Elisa Cramer is the moderator of the Safety & Justice session "Safe Communities, Strong Economies: Reforming the Justice System to Support Second Chances and Economic Opportunity".
Dr. Lisa Williams-Taylor
Dr. Lisa Williams-Taylor is a panelist on the Childcare session "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure: Strengthening Workforce Participation and Economic Opportunity". Dr. Lisa Williams-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County, has worked at the Council for 22 years. As CEO, she oversees a wide range of prevention and early intervention services that help tens of thousands of Palm Beach County children and families each year. More than 190,000 children and families were served last year, including funding for 32,500 in childcare, afterschool, and summer camps. The Council's funding supported over 720 programs and numerous public education and outreach campaigns last year with the vision to help all children grow up healthy, safe, ready for school, and ready for life. Prior to becoming CEO, Dr. Williams-Taylor served as Chief Program Officer at the Council, overseeing the areas of research and evaluation, system and program performance, and program operations. Dr. Williams-Taylor has extensive experience working with local, state and national policymakers to build evidence-based systems of care. She has written more than 25 publications. Prior to joining the Council, Dr. Williams-Taylor worked in research and evaluation in the areas of education, addiction, mental health and criminal justice. She spent many years providing mental health services to both children and adults. She holds Master's Degrees in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Criminal Justice.
Eric Roby
Eric Roby is a panelist on the Childcare session "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure: Strengthening Workforce Participation and Economic Opportunity". Eric Roby is CEO of Fuller Center, where he leads programs supporting children and families through education, youth development, and family services. An accomplished nonprofit executive and former award-winning journalist, Eric has held leadership roles with Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and the American Red Cross. Before entering the nonprofit sector, he spent 25 years in broadcasting, including 18 years as a main news anchor in South Florida. A first-generation college graduate, Eric brings both professional expertise and personal experience to his commitment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for children and families.
Laura Conway
Laura Conway is a panelist on the Childcare session "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure: Strengthening Workforce Participation and Economic Opportunity". Laura Conway is a nonprofit executive and early childhood education leader with more than 23 years of experience strengthening organizations and improving outcomes for children and families. She began her career in Honduras, where she and her husband helped grow a nonprofit serving children who had experienced severe violence and abuse. Over 13 years, the organization expanded from a single building to a 17-building campus providing comprehensive care, protection, and education. They also helped establish a bilingual school to prepare children for successful, independent futures. After returning to the United States in 2016, Laura joined Migrant Head Start in Alabama as a Center Director before advancing into Head Start leadership. Today, she serves in executive leadership with Lutheran Services Florida’s Head Start and Early Head Start program in Palm Beach County, overseeing operations, fiscal stewardship, compliance, partnerships, staff leadership, and services for children and families.
Aruna Gilbert
Aruna Gilbert is the moderator of the Childcare session "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure: Strengthening Workforce Participation and Economic Opportunity". Aruna began her career at the United Nations Environment Program, coordinating the Global Youth Forum on Youth and the Environment. For ten years, she advocated for children with special medical needs as a Medical Foster Care Coordinator at the Florida Department of Children and Families. She also worked as a Behavioral Health Professional in Palm Beach public schools. Since 2005, she has been with the Early Learning Coalition, focusing on high-quality preschool experiences and excellent customer service. Aruna holds a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Masters in Social Work from Barry University.
Carlos Serrano
Carlos Serrano is a panelist in the Housing session "Housing Instability to Economic Mobility: Affordable Housing Solutions That Change Conditions and Advance Upward Mobility".
Carol Jones-Gilbert
Carol Jones-Gilbert is a panelist in the Housing session "Housing Instability to Economic Mobility: Affordable Housing Solutions That Change Conditions and Advance Upward Mobility".
Natalie Vasquez
Natalie Vasquez is a panelist in the Housing session "Housing Instability to Economic Mobility: Affordable Housing Solutions That Change Conditions and Advance Upward Mobility". Natalie Vazquez is Director of the Division of Senior and Veteran Services for Palm Beach County’s Community Services Department, where she leads programs supporting older adults, veterans, caregivers, and vulnerable residents. With more than 14 years of public-sector leadership, Natalie has advanced initiatives focused on economic mobility, housing stability, food security, and community access. Previously, she served as Senior Program Manager for the County’s Community Action Program, directing federally funded programs supporting low-income households. Natalie is a Certified Community Action Professional and holds a Master of Science in Education from Keiser University.
Dr, Cristina Lucier
Dr. Cristina Lucier is the moderator of the Housing session "Housing Instability to Economic Mobility: Affordable Housing Solutions That Change Conditions and Advance Upward Mobility". Cristina Lucier, Ph.D. is Vice President of Community Programs at The Lord's Place, where she provides leadership across programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With 10 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Cristina focuses on strengthening programs, partnerships, and systems that help people move from housing instability toward long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Cristina also serves as President of the Palm Beach County Homeless & Housing Alliance, the county's Continuum of Care, where she helps lead community-wide efforts to strengthen the homelessness response system, align priorities, and advance funding and policy strategies. Previously, she served on the Alliance's Executive Committee and chaired its Support Services Pillar, working with community partners to identify service gaps and improve coordination. Through both roles, Cristina brings a perspective grounded in direct program leadership, community collaboration, and systems-level work to advance opportunity and economic mobility for individuals and families.
Dr. Jyothi Gunta
Dr. Jyothi Gunta is a panelist on the Health & Wellness session "Recovery, Resilience, and Opportunity: Creating Systems that Support Brain Health, Recovery, and Economic Mobility". Dr. Jyothi Gunta MD, MPH has been director of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) since April 2023. She is board-certified in preventive medicine, and public health, as well as occupational and environmental medicine. Dr. Gunta has practiced in various clinical and non-clinical settings to include family medicine, evidence-based preventive care, occupational medicine, epidemiology, research, education, and policy. Dr. Gunta received her medical degree from Saint Petersburg State Medical Academy (I.I. Mechnikov), in St. Petersburg, Russia, and earned her master's in public health from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she trained in pediatrics. Her passion and drive for public health is what originally brought her to DOH-Palm Beach, in 2016, to serve as the chief resident for the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency Program. Following her residency training, Dr. Gunta joined the City of Delray Beach as the medical director for employee health and wellness, serving as the primary care physician for city employees and their families. Dr. Gunta has demonstrated leadership within multiple health care systems and outpatient practices, including the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has published findings in the Lancet's Child and Adolescent Health Journal. In her role as director of DOH-Palm Beach, Dr. Gunta serves with a deep and vested interest in public health as an essential component to our individual and community needs.
Darcy Davis
Darcy Davis is a panelist on the Health & Wellness session "Recovery, Resilience, and Opportunity: Creating Systems that Support Brain Health, Recovery, and Economic Mobility". Darcy J. Davis has served as President and CEO of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County for the past decade, after joining the organization in 2011 and previously holding CFO and COO roles. An accountant by trade, she has ensured the District's expert financial stewardship and advanced data-driven operations—achieving the lowest millage rate in 37 years while expanding nationally recognized, award-winning services. In response to the opioid crisis, when Palm Beach County was among the nation's hardest-hit communities, she led the creation of an innovative addiction treatment model now replicated statewide through Florida's CORE Network. Today, she is spearheading the Two Waters Mental Health Center, a first-of-its-kind facility in Florida integrating crisis and behavioral health services aligned with national best practices. She holds a BBA from Mercer University and an MSM from Troy State University. She has earned local, state, and national recognition during her career. Most recently, she was named to Becker's Hospital Review's 2026 list of Women Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know and was the only female health care executive recognized as a 2026 Ultimate CEO by the South Florida Business Journal.
Andrea Stephenson
Andrea Stephenson is a panelist on the Health & Wellness session "Recovery, Resilience, and Opportunity: Creating Systems that Support Brain Health, Recovery, and Economic Mobility".
Tyler Gerlock
Tyler Gerlock is the moderator of the Health & Wellness session "Recovery, Resilience, and Opportunity: Creating Systems that Support Brain Health, Recovery, and Economic Mobility".
Michael Burke
Michael 'Mike' Burke is a panelist on the Education session "Education to Earnings: Aligning Learning Systems and Workforce Development with Economic Opportunity".
Dr. Ava Parker
Dr. Ava Parker is a panelist on the Education session "Education to Earnings: Aligning Learning Systems and Workforce Development with Economic Opportunity".
Jeremy Morse
Jeremy Morse is a panelist on the Education session "Education to Earnings: Aligning Learning Systems and Workforce Development with Economic Opportunity".
Dr. Naelys Luna
Dr. Naelys Luna is the moderator of the Education session "Education to Earnings: Aligning Learning Systems and Workforce Development with Economic Opportunity".
Julia Dattolo
Julia Dattolo is a panelist on the Workforce session "The Opportunity Workforce: Closing the Skills Gap to Promote Upward Economic Mobility". Julia Dattolo is the President and CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County leading the local workforce development agency connecting business with talent. As a workforce champion, she has driven positive changes in workforce development at the local, state, and national level. Under her leadership, CareerSource has significantly contributed to regional growth through business development and talent recruitment. Julia has been instrumental in establishing and nurturing community relationships that have fostered essential collaborations, improving education, career development and innovative opportunities for the residents of Palm Beach County. She has been named NonProfit Executive of the Year, the Toni Jennings State of Florida Workforce Development Professional of the Year, and Palm Beach North Chamber Woman of the Year. A military veteran, Ms. Dattolo serves on several boards, including the Business Development Board of Directors (ex-officio member), National Association of Workforce Professionals, Florida Workforce Development Association, Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County, and other capacities with various local charity and non-profit organizations. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire and her Master's degree from UCLA. She also is an alum of Leadership Palm Beach County.
Kemberly Bush
Kemberly Bush is a panelist on the Workforce session "The Opportunity Workforce: Closing the Skills Gap to Promote Upward Economic Mobility".
Doris Davis
Doris Davis is the moderator of the Workforce session "The Opportunity Workforce: Closing the Skills Gap to Promote Upward Economic Mobility".
Fredlyne 'Lyne' Johnson
Lyne Johnson is a panelist on the Transportation session "Wheels of Opportunity: Innovative Transportation Solutions that Promote Economic Mobility".
Brian Ruscher
Brian Ruscher is a panelist on the Transportation session "Wheels of Opportunity: Innovative Transportation Solutions that Promote Economic Mobility". Brian Ruscher, AICP, serves as Deputy Director of Multimodal at the Palm Beach MPO. Trained as an environmental and community health planner, he has experience spanning the private sector and government entities at all levels, supporting the development of resilient, multimodal infrastructure within Florida communities. His professional work encompasses policy reform and project implementation, actively involving designers and the public to incorporate housing, environmental, and social considerations into transportation planning. Recently, his efforts have concentrated on establishing transit-oriented communities, supportive ordinances, transportation demand management (TDM) policies, bicycle parking solutions, zoning updates, and attaining Gold Bike-Friendly Business recognition from the League of American Bicyclists for his agency. Presently, he is dedicated to guiding regionally significant policy and project decisions aimed at constructing a safe and interconnected network of complete streets throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida.
Ty Barnes
Ty Barnes is a panelist on the Transportation session "Wheels of Opportunity: Innovative Transportation Solutions that Promote Economic Mobility".
Dr. Ivan Maldonado
Ivan Maldonado is the moderator of the Transportation session "Wheels of Opportunity: Innovative Transportation Solutions that Promote Economic Mobility". Dr. Ivan Maldonado, ND, is a nationally recognized transportation executive and public-sector leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing mobility, transit operations, and community access initiatives across the United States. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Maldonado has served in executive leadership roles with major public transportation systems, including Palm Tran; Metro Transit in Omaha; HART in Tampa, Florida; WMATA in Washington, D.C.; and StarMetro in Tallahassee. His leadership experience spans transit operations, strategic planning, fleet modernization, organizational development, technology implementation, and customer-focused mobility solutions. In addition to his transportation expertise, Dr. Maldonado brings extensive experience in human services administration and veterans' advocacy, providing a unique perspective on the role mobility plays in connecting people to employment, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. A collaborative leader and respected industry voice, Dr. Maldonado is committed to advancing innovative, sustainable, and equitable transportation solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.
Jamie Kendall
Jamie Kendall is a panelists on the Food & Hunger session "From Hunger to Hope: Food Security as a Pathway to Economic Mobility". Jamie Kendall is the CEO of the Palm Beach County Food Bank, which is a hunger relief organization serving Palm Beach County, Florida. The Food Bank relies on community support to fulfill its mission of ensuring that everyone in our community has the nutritious food they need every day. She directs the organization's efforts to provide nutritious food and support to more than 200 member agencies and programs that serve those individuals and families that A new resident of Boynton Beach, Kendall movedare in need of food assistance. Prior to her most recent food bank experience, Kendall spent more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, working for social service humanitarian organizations, as well as land conservation groups across the state of Georgia. She is an Ohio native and attended Bowling Green State University.
Jason Mandle
Jason Mantle is a panelists on the Food & Hunger session "From Hunger to Hope: Food Security as a Pathway to Economic Mobility".
Dr. Jyothi Gunta
Dr. Jyothi Gunta is a panelist on the Food & Hunger Session "From Hunger to Hope: Food Security as a Pathway to Economic Mobility". Dr. Jyothi Gunta MD, MPH has been director of the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County (DOH-Palm Beach) since April 2023. She is board-certified in preventive medicine, and public health, as well as occupational and environmental medicine. Dr. Gunta has practiced in various clinical and non-clinical settings to include family medicine, evidence-based preventive care, occupational medicine, epidemiology, research, education, and policy. Dr. Gunta received her medical degree from Saint Petersburg State Medical Academy (I.I. Mechnikov), in St. Petersburg, Russia, and earned her master's in public health from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her internship at Tripler Army Medical Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she trained in pediatrics. Her passion and drive for public health is what originally brought her to DOH-Palm Beach, in 2016, to serve as the chief resident for the Preventive Medicine and Public Health Residency Program. Following her residency training, Dr. Gunta joined the City of Delray Beach as the medical director for employee health and wellness, serving as the primary care physician for city employees and their families. Dr. Gunta has demonstrated leadership within multiple health care systems and outpatient practices, including the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has published findings in the Lancet's Child and Adolescent Health Journal. In her role as director of DOH-Palm Beach, Dr. Gunta serves with a deep and vested interest in public health as an essential component to our individual and community needs.
Tammy Fields
Tammy Fields is the moderator of the Food & Hunger Session "From Hunger to Hope: Food Security as a Pathway to Economic Mobility". Tammy Fields devoted 37 years of service to Palm Beach County starting as an attorney with the Palm Beach County Attorney's Office, serving as the founding director of the Youth Services Department and completing her tenure as a Deputy County Administrator. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with degrees in Public Relations and Policy Studies. She is also a graduate of Stetson University College of Law and a40 year member of The Florida Bar. She holds certifications in Trauma Informed Care from Florida State University and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from the University of South Florida. In retirement, when not traveling and spending time with her children, she is the Chair of the Food Security and Nutrition Board and on the Board of the United Way. Ms Fields is a 2025 recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Laurie George
Dr. Laurie George is a panelist on the Closing Plenary "AI and the Future of Economic Mobility: Transforming Opportunity for ALICE Families". Dr. Laurie George is President and CEO of United Way of Palm Beach County, where she has spent 28 years advancing the organization’s mission, expanding its impact, and serving more people across the community. This year, the South Florida Business Journal recognized her as a Power Leader in Philanthropy. Known for her collaborative leadership, Laurie builds strong partnerships across business, government, and the nonprofit sector to address some of Palm Beach County’s most pressing challenges. Her work focuses on expanding youth opportunity, advancing financial security, supporting healthy communities, and building community resiliency. Laurie was recently selected to lead the United Way Worldwide AI Cohort, where she is helping shape how United Way incorporates artificial intelligence into their work, including policies and best practices for responsible adoption, while addressing an equally important challenge: ensuring AI does not further widen the digital divide. Laurie holds a Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive. Under her leadership, United Way of Palm Beach County supports more than 110 local programs and initiatives, reaching families and individuals across the community.
Dane Crane
Dane Crane is a panelist on the Closing Plenary "AI and the Future of Economic Mobility: Transforming Opportunity for ALICE Families".
Dr. Ava Parker
Dr. Ava Parker is a panelist on the Closing Plenary "AI and the Future of Economic Mobility: Transforming Opportunity for ALICE Families".
Tim Burke
Tim Burke is the moderator of the Closing Plenary "AI and the Future of Economic Mobility: Transforming Opportunity for ALICE Families".
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