Kristen Holder has joined Central Six AlabamaWorks! as the new Executive Director. In this role, Holder will strategically position the organization as a leader in the workforce ecosystem, by collaborating with regional partners to envision and implement talent development strategies. In addition, Holder will oversee the merger of Central Six with Innovate Birmingham, ensuring the sustainability of the reimagined organization and increasing its effectiveness in meeting the needs of local business and industry.
“Kristen has deep experience designing and deploying innovative workforce solutions in partnership with employers. With her at the helm of this newly merged organization, we are positioning Central Alabama’s workforce ecosystem to be a national leader in creative approaches to building the workforce of the future,” said Emily Wykle, Board Chair of Central Six.
Central Six’s mission is to form and foster partnerships between industry, education and workforce agencies to identify career pathways, discover skills gaps, and work with training providers to fill those gaps. Holder will leverage local, statewide and national relationships, as well as workforce data, innovative best practices and funding to address critical employer talent pipeline needs. Holder’s vision is to cultivate a competitive and viable workforce that guarantees economic prosperity of the region and upward mobility for its citizens.
“I bring vision and energy that will enhance the great work that is already in progress, as well as advance the organization with a collaborative mindset.”
One of the key priorities for Central Six will be leadership of the nearly $11M Good Jobs Challenge award in conjunction with the City of Birmingham and other community partners, which will train 1000 Central Alabama residents for careers in digital health and healthcare. Holder’s experience developing apprenticeships and other employer-driven solutions will be critical to this work.
Holder jumpstarted her career in Birmingham as the Industry Cluster Coordinator for Central Six AlabamaWorks!, facilitating conversations with diverse industry sectors to better understand their workforce needs and develop solutions. Prior to accepting the role of Executive Director of Central Six, Holder served as the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship Project Manager for Workforce Regions 2 and 4, where she expanded the use of registered apprenticeship programs throughout the state. Holder managed over 40 apprenticeship sponsors, serving 70+ employers across 13 counties. Holder has had the opportunity to present on her work in talent development at the national level, including at the 2019 National Fund for Workforce Solutions Leadership Convening and the 2022 State Apprenticeship Expansion Virtual Institute.
“My firsthand knowledge of Central Six’s initiatives, in addition to my long-term relationships with partners and deep engagement with industry, will strengthen the organization’s role as a positive force for change in the region,” said Kristen Holder. “I bring vision and energy that will enhance the great work that is already in progress, as well as advance the organization with a collaborative mindset.”
Holder graduated summa cum laude from the Florida State University with a B.A. in Political Science. Holder is a Birmingham Business Journal 2020 Top 40 Under 40 Honoree and served as a mentor for Birmingham Business Journal’s 2021 Mentoring Monday. Holder is a graduate of the Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Training Course as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Talent Pipeline Management Academy.
For more information, please contact Kristen Holder directly at kholder@centralsix.org.