Keynote Presenters

Thursday, November 19, 2026

 

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Carlos Whittaker

Carlos Whittaker is a best-selling author, expert storyteller, and impactful speaker to all kinds of audiences– from auditors to teachers to non-profit leaders to dermatologists. No matter who you are, his message is for you.

Carlos uses his vast and varied personal life experience to captivate and engage audiences in ways that few else can. Whether your team is suffering from burnout, conflict, distraction, or disengagement, Carlos is sure to reinvigorate them with insight, humor, and inspiration.

With his person-oriented talks, How to Human and Moment Maker, Carlos will remind your organization that when we are good to ourselves, we can be even better for others. Humans do not exist in the vacuum of the workplace, so when we address the things going on in the background, we create a greater capacity for relationships, work, creativity, and patience.

Carlos will equip your team to become not just better employees, but better coworkers, leaders, friends, parents, spouses, and, most importantly, better humans. Join Carlos and countless others in the pursuit of being human together.

He and his wife Heather live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their three amazing children, where you can find them working on the family farm, planning trips around the world, and dancing to Single Ladies (seriously, Google it).

Friday, November 20, 2026 

California’s Labor Market in 10 Years: Which Jobs Will Be in Demand in 2036?

California—now the world’s fourth-largest economy—continues to lead in innovation across technology, science, entertainment, and more. But will that leadership hold over the next decade? And which middle-skill jobs will be most in demand by 2036? In this keynote, four labor market research directors from across the state will share insights on California’s future workforce needs—and how educators, employers, and policymakers can prepare.

Luke Meyer

Director, Los Angeles Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research

Luke Meyer is the director of the Los Angeles Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research (LA COE), hosted at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Luke holds a Master’s degree in psychology and evaluation from Claremont Graduate University as well as an MA in education from the University of La Verne. Prior to joining the COE team in 2017, Luke conducted research for the Department of Public Social Services, evaluating the effectiveness of various social programs and services. His current research with the COE directs community college students towards living wage jobs in growing fields, especially in middle-skill occupations that support the fabric of LA’s labor market.

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Dr. Tina Ngo Bartel

Executive Director, San Diego Imperial Center of Excellence

Dr. Tina Ngo Bartel is the Executive Director of the San Diego; Imperial Center of Excellence, where she leads research and workforce development efforts that support the region’s 10 community colleges. She began her public-sector career with the local
Workforce Development Board in 2012, where she managed the business programs and research departments. In 2017, she joined the community college system and has since helped educators, employers, and community partners use data to strengthen
education-to-career pathways, inform public investment, and improve training programs. Her work has helped regional organizations secure more than $45 million in grants to expand education and workforce opportunities. Tina also serves on the board of Civic Communities, supporting community investments that expand nonprofits’ access to capital, strengthen small businesses, and promote economic opportunity in underserved communities.

Ebony Joy Benzing

Director, Greater Sacramento Center of Excellence for Labor Market
Research

Ebony J. Benzing serves as director of the Greater Sacramento Center of Excellence
for Labor Market Research, where she leads regional workforce research to support
career education program planning, development, and strategic decision-making for
California Community Colleges. Her work translates complex labor market information
into actionable insights for educators, administrators, employers, and workforce
partners.

Ebony has more than 16 years of experience in education, including a decade of direct
engagement with students in and outside the classroom. She is committed to using data
to strengthen connections between education and employment and to help learners
access high-quality, living-wage jobs.

She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology from UC
Davis, completed teacher certifications at CSU Sacramento, and earned a Master of
Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Ebony lives in
Sacramento, where she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring architectural
and interior design.

Jacob Poore

Director, South Central Coast Center of Excellence

Jacob Poore is the Director of the South Central Coast Center of Excellence (SCC COE), hosted at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. Jacob holds a master’s degree in international economics from UC San Diego and has researched labor markets across the Central Coast and Southern California for nearly ten years. With higher education and research experience at both the community college and four-year university level, Jacob understands the importance of data-driven decision making to create, develop, and modify programs that prepare students for in-demand, high quality, living wage jobs. His current research aims to improve student outcomes by identifying labor market opportunities and pathways to living-wage jobs so individuals can live, work, and thrive in their communities.