Talent as National Infrastructure: Building the Workforce Powering America’s Innovation Economy

As global competition accelerates and emerging technologies reshape industries, talent has become one of the nation’s most critical strategic assets. In this cross-sector conversation, Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College, Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly, and Rania Succar, CEO of Kaseya, explore how education systems, economic development strategy, and private-sector innovation are aligning to build the workforce powering America’s innovation economy. Moderated by Jaret Davis of Greenberg Traurig, the discussion examines how skills-based pathways, applied technology training, and regional innovation ecosystems are expanding opportunity while strengthening national competitiveness. From talent pipelines and public-private collaboration to the role of fast-growing tech companies in workforce development, this session positions talent not simply as labor, but as national infrastructure.