Judith Velasco has been a leader in the workforce development profession for more than 20 years. She currently serves as the Executive Director for the Verdugo Workforce Development Board that provides leadership to enhance workforce quality, job opportunities and economic vitality in the Verdugo region, which serves the cities of Burbank, Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge. She leads a 23-member board of directors comprised primarily of business leaders, labor leaders and community members to implement meaningful no-cost employment programs funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that help underserved communities and to assist the businesses with their hiring needs. In partnership with Grifols Biologicals Inc, Biocom California Institute and others, Ms. Velasco coordinated the funding and establishment of the Biocom California Institute Technician Certification (BioTC) Collaborative which launched the first ever BioScience industry digital certification in the workforce system that was designed by business for business. The Collaborative includes industry leaders Grifols Biologicals, Prolacta, and Gilead; community colleges; Verdugo Jobs Center and Biocom California Institute. Students graduating from a BioScience technical education program are eligible to take the exam designed by business and those who pass the exam with a 70% score or higher, earn the digital badge they can add to their resumes, making it easier for employers to identify the qualified candidates that have demonstrated they have the basic competencies for an entry level biotechnology or biomanufacturing technician. The BioTC celebrates an 81% passing rate and 85% job placement rate. She majored in Public Policy at Occidental College, and obtained her Master’s Degrees from Syracuse University in the disciplines of Public Administration and Information Management. She believes in public service and providing opportunities to assist individuals with the most need enter the workforce.