Jennifer Oddo, Founder and CEO
Jennifer Oddo is a dynamic and results-driven talent and workforce development leader with a proven track record of driving innovation in skills-based training, talent acquisition, and workforce transformation. As the Founder of New Collar Talent, LLC, she partners with Fortune 500 companies and higher education institutions to bridge critical workforce gaps through industry-aligned learning models, microcredentials, and digital skills training.
With over two decades of experience, Jennifer has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives at Youngstown State University and IBM She played a key role in launching IBM’s first registered apprenticeship programs, scaling them across the industry, and developing competency-based hiring frameworks that have been adopted by global companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and General Motors. As Vice President of Workforce Education and Innovation at Youngstown State University, she built a division from the ground up, securing over $10 million in funding to expand skills-based training in IT, advanced manufacturing, and leadership.
Jennifer is a recognized thought leader in workforce innovation, having delivered testimony before the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee and co-chaired the Consumer Technology Association’s Future of Work coalition. She has been a featured speaker at CES, JFF Horizons, and served on the Ohio Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation Advanced Manufacturing and Mobility Council, Credential As You Go Advisory Board, and the National Initiative for Cyber Education (NICE) Workforce Development Leadership Committee.
Driven by a passion for creating inclusive and future-ready talent ecosystems, Jennifer continues to shape the evolving landscape of education and workforce development, ensuring individuals and organizations thrive in the digital and AI era.
Clients and Partners Include: Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga County Community College (Tri-C), Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University, IBM SkillsBuild, MyInnerGenius, BuildWithin.