Trailblazing Pathways. Transforming Lives.
Honoring leaders building the future of education and workforce development.
What Are the Transfr Trailblazer Awards?
The Transfr Trailblazer Awards honor the leaders and local ecosystems transforming workforce development across 48 states. From workforce boards to educators, these changemakers are guiding students, adult learners, and special populations through immersive, hands-on learning—helping them explore careers, build in-demand skills, and land high-quality jobs
These Trailblazers are breaking down barriers, aligning education with local industry needs, and driving real-world impact. By turning virtual career discovery into real job placement, they embody Transfr’s mission: creating equitable pathways to prosperity and shaping the future of work.
Award Categories
Rising Star Award
Spotlighting rising talent shaping the future of work and innovation.
Innovation Igniter Award
For sparking bold ideas that transform how people learn, work, and thrive.
Community Catalyst Award
For driving meaningful, measurable change where it matters most—locally.
Equity Champion Award
For relentless commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all learners.
Power of Partnership Award
Celebrating collaboration that makes career connections come to life.
Legacy of Impact Award
Honoring a lifetime dedicated to transforming education and opportunity.
2025 Transfr Trailblazer Winners
Transfr Trailblazer Innovation Igniter
Peninsula School District (WA)
Led by CTE Director Kelsey Parke, Peninsula School District brought VR “career road shows” into middle schools and fully integrated career exploration into the curriculum. Of 184 surveyed students, 60% rated the VR program highly engaging, and nearly half said it shaped their plans, creating a scalable model now expanding districtwide.
Josh Wright - LiUNA Construction Laborers & Contractors Training Fund
Josh Wright helped design the Construction Laborer Career Exploration simulation and championed immersive safety modules like Scaffold and Trench Collapse training. His leadership has given thousands of union apprentices access to safer, modernized training, now scaling across LiUNA regions nationwide.
Honorable Mentions
Robert David – City of Danville (VA): Revitalized a transitioning economy through new workforce pipelines.
CoreCivic (TN): Reduced recidivism by embedding career training in correctional facilities.
Northeast Kentucky AHEC (KY): Expanded healthcare pipelines to rural, underserved students.
Transfr Trailblazer Equity in Access
EKCEP – Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (KY)
Under Becky Miller’s leadership, EKCEP deployed 35 VR headsets, engaging 154 individuals across programs with 324 simulations completed. Recovery & Reentry participants explored 187 careers while Prosper Appalachia youth explored 186 careers, turning exploration into real job placements and statewide recognition.
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Goodwill of South Mississippi – Vicki Burton (MS)
Vicki Burton integrated VR into correctional reentry, vocational rehabilitation, and special education programs, enabling 11 users to complete 22 simulations with measurable job placements. She also trained other Goodwill affiliates nationwide, scaling equity-driven workforce innovation.
Honorable Mentions
PERFECT – Peoria Regional Consortium (IL): Extended equitable early-career programming in schools.
MDI – Unified Work (MN): Created inclusive employment pathways for individuals with disabilities.
Queen Anne’s County Schools (MD): Ensured rural students gained equal access to career exploration.
Transfr Trailblazer Legacy of Impact
Teamwork Englewood (IL)
Founded by Mark Mitchell, Teamwork Englewood supports returning citizens with reentry and job training. Their VR-based program has resulted in over 350 job placements and a 30-day job retention rate of 80%, compared to roughly 20% for traditional placements that did not use Transfr.
Wyoming Dept. of Workforce Services – Voc Rehab (WY)
With Callie Davis as Policy & Training Manager, Wyoming Voc Rehab deployed 100+ headsets across 48 offices, serving 601 users who completed 2,775 sims, leading to 19 job placements. A structured rollout with six regional navigators created a statewide model for sustainable innovation.
Transfr Trailblazer Rising Star
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County – Abigail Howard (FL)
Abigail Howard expanded VR access from 9 to 45 licenses across teen sites, giving hundreds of teens their first immersive career experience. In her pilot year, 91% discovered new career interests, knowledge scores rose 0.87 points, and many students converted exploration into real internships.
RUNNER-UPOhio Aerospace Program – Prof. Shadh Molla (OH)
Prof. Molla expanded the aerospace program from 5 to 11 schools statewide, serving 400+ students who earned 318 college credits and FAA drone pilot certifications. With the UAS market projected to double to $55B by 2030, graduates are entering high-demand careers with salaries up to $200K annually.
Honorable Mentions
OhioMeansJobs Warren County – Jena Short (OH):
Jena Short has built a strong local pipeline connecting youth and jobseekers to training and employer networks through innovative OhioMeansJobs programming.
Transfr Trailblazer Power of Partnership
The Attainment Network (CO)
This rural coalition of schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and nonprofits overcame geographic barriers with just 3 VR headsets. Already, 136 students have explored healthcare and trades simulations while earning CNA and Medical Assistant credentials; the partnership aims to reach 300+ students by 2026.
Mid-State Technical College – AMETA Center (WI)
The 50,000 sq. ft. AMETA Center was realized through $23M in funding from 300+ partners, including $9M in federal grants. Serving 2,500 learners annually, AMETA equips students with cutting-edge tools — from robotic welding to five-axis machining — while directly aligning with employer needs.
Honorable Mentions
Northwest Career College (NV): Built employer partnerships to expand healthcare and trades training.
Boys & Girls Club Glasgow-Barren (KY): Created rural pathways through strong local partnerships.
Transfr Trailblazer Power of Partnership
Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board (CT)
Led by Catherine Awwad, NRWIB engaged 161 learners in 844 sims and guided 191 youth through Trek career exploration (461 careers explored). With 87 documented job placements, the board has proven VR certificates directly open employment pathways with local employers.
Leon County Government (FL)
At Leon County Detention Facility, incarcerated learners completed 120 hours of blended training with VR as a centerpiece. Two cohorts graduated with 17 completers and 11 releases, while many exceeded required training hours, showing strong engagement and readiness for reentry.
Honorable Mentions
Boys & Girls Club Collier County (FL): Connected underserved youth to career pathways through local employers.
Boys & Girls Club of Martin County (FL): Expanded access to industry exploration through community-wide programming.
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