Sisterhood Spotlight

Commissioner of Virginia Works
As Commissioner of Virginia Works, the Commonwealth’s new agency focused exclusively on workforce development, Nicole leads an incredible team of professionals across a multitude of programs and services that support the needs of employers and job seekers of Virginia and coordinate across the broader Commonwealth-wide workforce ecosystem.
How is Virginia Works collaborating with businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations to create opportunities for Virginia’s workers?
Virginia Works is uniquely responsible not only for the workforce programs and services provided by the agency but also for convening and coordinating a broader workforce ecosystem across the Commonwealth. There are a multitude of organizations providing much-needed services of all kinds that work together to support Virginians at work – we know that it’s not just career coaching that job seekers need, but also childcare, housing, transportation, Internet access and digital skills, and more. One of our goals at Virginia Works has been to catalog these programs and services – at least those funded at the state level – and we’re beginning an effort to digitize that catalog and make it easier to access and navigate in real time, not just for job seekers, but for anyone working in the ecosystem who would benefit from knowing about other programs that individuals can take advantage of. We also established Commonwealth-wide “workforce town halls,” for workforce-focused staff from other agencies to connect with one another, share best practices, and learn together, and are kicking off a series of employer-focused webinars on talent-related topics & relevant business services, in partnership with VEDP and the Virginia Chamber Foundation. It’s all about the three C’s – communication, coordination, collaboration – and we can never have enough of that!
What message would you share with individuals seeking to reenter the workforce or pivot to a new career path?
There’s no time like the present! Employers need you and are demonstrating a willingness to consider more unique experiences, less linear career paths, and skills-based hiring approaches more than ever before. Your experience is valuable, your skills are transferable, and with the breadth of opportunities out there, you have more options to consider. I love hearing success stories of Virginians who pivoted to very different career paths utilizing skills they had already gained or who successfully reentered the workforce after extended time not working. They inspire me and prove that any of us can do it.
What do you believe are the most impactful steps we can take to support women and girls in pursuing meaningful careers and leadership roles in today’s workforce?
It starts with supporting every girl to believe they can be anything they want to be, and that includes seeing role models and having mentors who are balancing their work with whatever else fulfills them, like having a family. I am proud to be the only daughter of a woman with an accomplished career who also raised me well. It’s not easy, but the examples we set are critical to inspire and mentor the next generation. It’s also worth mentioning the programs across the Commonwealth that specifically support women at work and the effort and focus by this Administration on some of the most prevalent needs we have – for example, support for the many women who are military spouses to more easily get employed upon moving to Virginia via things like universal licensing, and the Building Blocks initiative that has increased our capacity around childcare and early childhood education, which we know is a barrier to the workforce for many women. There is always more to do in this space and it will continue to be a focus area of mine.
For Virginians seeking new job opportunities or career development, what resources or programs offered by Virginia Works would you recommend they explore first?
For starters, I want everyone to know that you can receive free job search support and resume review – as well as accessing training support and other educational opportunities for those who qualify – by visiting any Virginia Career Works center across the Commonwealth. And even if you don’t go in person, the Virginia Workforce Connection allows you to search for open jobs near you and complete a skills assessment that helps you focus on great job opportunities for you. It also will allow you to register for upcoming virtual job fairs and other events to engage with employers directly. And if you haven't considered an approach like an apprenticeship to start your career or pivot into a new field, I want you to know that you can. More and more, Registered Apprenticeship and similar models that allow you to "earn while you learn" are available in emerging, high-growth industries and fields, and you might be surprised how varied the opportunities are. There is a wealth of support available and we’re working every day to make it easier to know about these opportunities and access them. No one should feel left alone or unprepared in preparing for their first job, navigating a career transition, or returning to work – that’s our goal.
About Nicole
Serving the Commonwealth fulfills a lifelong dream of public service for Nicole. Previously, in over a decade spent with Deloitte Consulting in Northern Virginia, Nicole incubated and scaled the firm’s Future of Work practice for government, nonprofits, and higher education, spoke and published frequently on workforce & workplace trends, was named to Consulting Magazine’s “35 under 35,” and worked with public and private sector clients across the nation. She then joined the Youngkin Administration first as Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development prior to her role at Virginia Works.
Nicole holds two degrees from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, she can be found exploring places she hasn’t been before across Virginia and beyond.