Square Pizza Podcast

The Square Pizza podcast focuses on the intersection of education, innovation, and diversity. We host and interview leaders doing incredible work around the country to ensure all students have access to an equitable education. The Square Pizza podcast is hosted by SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers strategic implementation and project management services to schools and education-focused organizations across the country.

Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Gary Officer, President & CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion.  CWI Labs is the largest and most experienced nonprofit dedicated exclusively to workplace inclusion and economic opportunity for low-income, older job seekers.

In this episode:

• CWI Labs 
  • Core aspects / programs of CWI Labs?
• AI
  • Thoughts on how it will affect work
• Professional Background
  • Successfully grew Rebuilding Together from an operating budget of $3.5 million to $23 million
• What advice would he would give to other leads as they consider growth and fundraising? 
• Affordable housing + Property values
  • Promising solutions for affordable housing

Bio:
Gary A. Officer is a seasoned social entrepreneur and Chief Executive. He is known for innovative, value-driven public-private partnerships that remove barriers to community development. In addition to founding CWI Labs, Gary is the President & CEO of the Center for Workforce Inclusion, the largest and most experienced nonprofit dedicated exclusively to workplace inclusion and economic opportunity for low-income, older job seekers.

Gary previously served in senior executive positions at the Newseum and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C. From 2006-2013; he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Rebuilding Together, Inc., the nation’s most extensive volunteer-based homeownership preservation nonprofit, and fourth-largest remodeler. Under his leadership, Rebuilding Together grew operating income seven-fold and created award-winning partnerships with blue-chip corporate brands to support of the organization’s mission.

Gary has served as President of the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), the national foundation supporting credit union development in the United States. As an affiliate of the Credit Union National Association, NCUF promotes and manages credit union development and consumer savings programs on behalf of CUNA and the US credit union movement. The Foundation also manages the National Development Education Volunteer Program. During his three-year tenure, NCUF successfully grew a community investment fund providing grants, loans, and secondary capital, to credit unions and related organizations throughout the United States.

Gary earned a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) Political Science from the Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master of Science Msc (Econ) in International Relations from the London School of Economics. In 2012, he completed the Advanced Management and Leadership Program (OAMLP) at the Said Business School at Oxford University.