NYU School of Professional Studies and WorkingNation to Present a Virtual Discussion, “Reframing (REMOTE) Working for the New Normal”

September 24 Event Will Feature Workforce and Employee Development Experts from IBM, Spacesmith, Zoom Video Communications, and Merck

NEW YORK, September 18, 2020—With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the world of work changed overnight, with large numbers of employees transitioning from working in the office to working from home (WFH). As the pandemic continues, the question remains whether remote work evolves into a more permanent option and what the implications of such a radical change might be on employee productivity, team collaboration, organizational culture, and workplace design.

On September 24, at 1 p.m. EDT, the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) and WorkingNation, will present a virtual panel discussion titled “Reframing (REMOTE) Working for the New Normal,” which will delve deep into the dynamics of remote work, its benefits and its consequences.

Anna Tavis, a clinical associate professor and academic director of the Human Capital Management Department within the NYU SPS Division of Programs in Business, will moderate the discussion with panelists Kelli Jordan, director for IBM Career and Skills; Ambar Margarida, principal designer, Spacesmith; Jodi Rabinowitz, head of talent and organizational development at Zoom Video Communications; and Bennet Voorhees, head of data science in Merck’s workforce analytics team.

A Question & Answer session will follow. Reporters can submit questions in advance. See press information below.

MODERATOR:

Anna Tavis, PhD, (moderator) is a clinical associate professor and academic director of the Human Capital Management Department at NYU SPS, a senior fellow with the Conference Board, and the academic in residence with Executive Networks. She was recently named to Thinkers50 Radar for 2020. Tavis is a former executive editor of People+Strategy Journal and is an associate editor of Workforce Solutions Review. Her articles are published regularly in the business media, and she is a sought-after media commentator. Prior to joining NYU SPS, Tavis was on the faculty at Williams College, Fairfield University, and Columbia University. She was the head of Motorola’s EMEA OD function (London); Nokia’s global head of Talent Management (Helsinki), chief learning officer with United Technologies Corp (Connecticut), and global head of Talent and Organizational Development, AIG Investments (New York City). She earned a PhD in comparative literature from Princeton University and an Executive MBA in International Business from the University of South Carolina.

PANELISTS:

Kelli Jordan is director for IBM Career and Skills, drives the vision, strategy, and execution of IBM’s enterprise career and skill programs, including the newly launched Your Career at IBM digital experience, as well as IBM’s New Collar Initiatives. She builds new talent pipelines for key skills, manages IBM’s skills governance, creates signature career experiences, and was responsible for the launch of IBM’s apprenticeship program. Prior to her current role, she was focused on designing signature experiences for early professional hires. She also managed talent programs for IBM’s North America consulting team, with a significant focus on diversity, organic growth, and employee engagement.

Ambar Margarida has worked with leading global brands on a diverse cross section of architectural interiors projects. As an accredited green building professional, she is an expert in the design of spaces, which contribute to employee safety, well-being, and satisfaction, and have healthy indoor air quality, access to quality views and daylight, plantings, and proper ergonomics. Margarida teaches in the interior design bachelor’s program at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and is a founding member of the Latino American Commercial Real Estate Association (LACREA).

Jodi Rabinowitz is the head of talent and organizational development at Zoom Video Communications. She is responsible for driving all aspects of employee development and engagement by designing experiences that touch every single point of the employee life cycle from post-hire to exit. Prior to her employment at Zoom, she was the head of talent acquisition and organizational development at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she joined to implement a five-year strategic plan focused on enhancing employees’ overall well-being.

Bennet Voorhees is the head of data science in Merck’s (MSD outside of the United States and Canada) workforce analytics team, and an adjunct faculty member in the NYU SPS Human Capital Analytics and Technology Master’s of Science program. Before Merck, he held a variety of people analytics leadership roles, and was a practicing economist and researcher in the US government and International Monetary Fund.

Please email Alka Gupta at aag13@nyu.edu or Michael DeMeo at michael.demeo@nyu.edu to submit questions for the Q&A in advance.

Please register for the event using this link. Please identify yourself as a member of the press when registering by indicating your media outlet.

About the NYU School of Professional Studies
For over 85 years, the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) has been a deeply respected institution of higher education that is grounded in applied learning. From its early years, training returning World War II veterans to fulfill the nation’s urgent need for skilled technical workers, it has evolved into a professional education powerhouse that offers 20 graduate degrees, 13 bachelor’s degrees for traditional and post-traditional students, four associate’s degrees, and a plethora of non-degree courses and credentials.

NYU SPS is a thought leader, and serves as an incubator for new ideas in industries that are constantly changing, including real estate, real estate development, and construction management; hospitality, tourism, travel, and event management; global affairs and global security, conflict, and cybercrime; global sport and sports business; publishing; marketing; public relations; project management; executive coaching and organizational consulting, human resource management and development, and human capital analytics and technology; management and systems; translation; and professional writing. It is focused on building skills that open doors to opportunities in emerging fields and global markets. NYU SPS faculty members are leading experts in their areas of discipline, with a hands-on approach that encourages students to push beyond their limits and to break new ground.

Home to some of the largest and most prestigious industry conferences in the world, including the Schack Institute of Real Estate’s Capital Markets Conference, REIT Symposium, and National Symposium of Women in Real Estate; and the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality’s International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, the School’s invaluable connections to industry leaders is a truly distinguishing factor in the education that it provides. Visit sps.nyu.edu to learn more.

About WorkingNation
WorkingNation is a nonprofit campaign founded in 2016 by venture capitalist Art Bilger to expose hard truths about the looming unemployment crisis and bring the country together to create and amplify solutions for a changing economy. WorkingNation operates in partnership with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. All direct, tax-deductible donations to WorkingNation are fully tax deductible to the extent of the law. Visit workingnation.com to learn more.