Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.



Summit Agenda

2026 AFA Summit Agenda


Dates: May 18 – May 20

Location: Washington, D.C.

Day 1 — Monday, May 18
Setting the Vision & Building Partnerships

Time Session Speaker(s) Details
8:30 – 9:30 AM Registration & Welcome Breakfast Aisha Rahman Check-in and informal networking
9:30 – 10:00 AM Opening Remarks & Keynote Dr. Marisol Vega Kickoff keynote on apprenticeship vision
10:00 – 11:00 AM The Future of Apprenticeships Prof. Kofi Mensah Labor market trends & future pathways
11:15 – 12:30 PM Panel: Gov & Industry Collaboration Priya Nair (mod), Torres, Liu, Ortiz Cross-sector partnerships for impact
12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch & Networking — Industry & sponsor tables
1:30 – 2:30 PM Workshop: Employer Buy‑In Jonah Reeves Tools to engage employers in programs
2:30 – 3:15 PM Roundtable Discussions Sector facilitators Tech, Healthcare, Trades, Education
3:30 – 4:30 PM Case Studies: Model Programs Patel, Monroe, Ramirez Showcase of successful program blueprints
4:30 – 5:00 PM Day 1 Reflections Aisha Rahman Takeaways and prep for Day 2
5:30 – 7:30 PM Welcome Reception — Evening social with drinks and music

Day 2 — Tuesday, May 19
Practice, Innovation & Apprentice Experience

Time Session Speaker(s) Details
8:30 – 9:15 AM Breakfast Roundtables Okafor, Clarke, Kim, Alvarez Peer-led informal discussions
9:15 – 10:00 AM Apprentice Voices Panel Nguyen, Brooks, Shah, Morales Current apprentices share lived stories
10:00 – 11:00 AM Mentorship Training Dr. Lena Ortiz How to coach apprentices effectively
11:15 – 12:30 PM Inclusive Design Lab Thompson & Benitez Design-thinking to remove access barriers
12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch: Sector Tables — Organized seating by field
1:30 – 2:15 PM Tech Tools Showcase Oliver Grant Digital platforms for program management
2:15 – 3:00 PM Evaluation Workshop Dr. Naomi Fletcher KPIs, dashboards, data use
3:15 – 4:15 PM Mini Sessions (Choose 1) Park, O’Connell, Cho Gen Z, Unions, or Funding Strategies
4:15 – 5:00 PM Apprentice Projects Gallery Kapoor & Lin Project showcase walk-through
5:00 – 6:00 PM Industry Meetups / Social — Evening mixers by field

Day 3 — Wednesday, May 20
Strategy, Policy & The Path Forward

Time Session Speaker(s) Details
8:30 – 9:15 AM Coffee Chat: Funding the Future Pierce & Reed Informal chat with grantmakers
9:15 – 10:15 AM Policy Deep Dive Dupont & Sato State and federal apprenticeship policy
10:15 – 11:00 AM Funder Panel Banks, Roman, Chu How funders measure success & impact
11:15 – 12:15 PM Strategic Planning Workshop Greenwood & Mendes 12-month roadmap for programs
12:15 – 1:15 PM Lunch: Meet the Experts All Keynotes + Coaches 1-on-1 expert consultations
1:15 – 2:00 PM Regional Roundtables Benton, Jefferson, Tan, Espinoza By region: South, West, Midwest, Mid‑Atlantic
2:00 – 2:45 PM Closing Keynote Aaliyah Greene Alumnus success story & call to action
2:45 – 3:00 PM Closing Ceremony Dr. Vega + Team Thank you & final reflections

Download Your Agenda

Sarah Mitchell, CEO of National Apprenticeship Partnership
Get to Know Your AFA Summit Headliner

More...

AFA 2026 Agenda PDF

More...

This website is powered by
ToucanTech