December Insights Series | Next Generation of the Workforce

Description

As the very nature of work rapidly evolves, leaders are facing a critical inflection point: how do we reset our approach to people, skills, and culture without losing what makes organizations human? In this keynote and panel discussion, we will explore what it means to lead in a time when job roles are shifting faster than job descriptions.

This isn’t just about adopting new tools - it’s about cultivating the soft skills that enable adaptability, collaboration, and effective communication alongside technical fluency. We’ll discuss how organizations can reskill at scale and build cultures that embrace experimentation while staying anchored to purpose.

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• How do we rethink the workforce itself?
• What are the skillsets we need to navigate emerging technology?
• How do we bridge the growing gap between education and workforce needs?
• What does a job of the future look like—and how do we prepare people for it?

Keynote Speaker:

Brett Addis, Director, Moss Adams x Baker Tilly

Over the course of his career, Brett has worked across multiple industries leveraging his human capital experience to partner with global HR organizations through their process, technology, and people transformations. Brett guides clients through their business and HR digital transformations, improving customer experiences, operational efficiency, and team performance. He has successfully devised and implemented transformational strategies while reducing operational expenses, improving enterprise processes, and building top-tier teams across a wide variety of professional disciplines.

Panelists:

Michelle Carr, Principal, Moss Adams x Baker Tilly

Michelle oversees assurance engagements and consulting projects, including early-stage start-ups and private equity-backed entities, as well as public companies. Michelle serves technology and software firms, manufacturing and distribution companies, and mining clients. She provides technical support on complex accounting issues and advises on revenue recognition, inventory, stock-based compensation, impairment matters, and intangibles and goodwill, as well as business combinations.

Yvette Florez, Head of Security, City of Lakewood

Yvette Florez is a transformative public sector leader who excels at reskilling the workforce and modernizing organizational culture to keep pace with rapid change, including the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With over 25 years in technology and 14 years dedicated to information security, she has deep experience that is rooted in navigating the complexities of the public sector.

Yvette is adept at developing and executing comprehensive strategies that align emerging technology with core public missions and leading the large-scale organizational and cultural change essential for continuous improvement. She excels at cultivating high-performing, multi-generational teams and pioneering strategies for secure technology integration in highly regulated environments.

As a passionate advocate for leaders of tomorrow, Yvette focuses on mentorship and upskilling. She is an Executive Advisor and founding member of LIFT, Empowered by Women in Security, and an Advisory Board Member of Teach Kids Tech.

Ken Christensen, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver

Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD, was appointed to serve as chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver in February 2025. As chancellor, Christensen is focused on advancing the public service mission of the institution, one grounded in academic excellence, workforce development, community engagement, and economic impact. Christensen’s career-long focus on supporting the success of students, regardless of background or experiences, parallels that of CU Denver. 

Committed to serving all learners and the critical public service mission that state universities must fulfill, Christensen takes pride in CU Denver’s calling to provide access to education for all. He recognizes the transformational value of a degree from CU Denver, where graduates average more than $2 million in lifetime earnings, and is committed to solidifying CU Denver’s standing as the anchor higher education partner to the city, metro area, and Front Range. Christensen also holds a faculty appointment as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Thank you to our Sponsor: