The organization helps nontraditional workers acquire skills needed for higher wage jobs.
Carol Silva Moralez is the new president and CEO of Upskill NWA. Moralez will be responsible for developing the goals, plans and policies, as well as the short and long-term objectives for Upskill NWA, according to a press release.
The new organization is working to move lower-income wage earners to higher wage, high demand jobs through additional education and certification. Upskill NWA
will provide assistance with tuition and all academic fees, as well as connect participants to additional services like rental assistance, transportation and child care, that will allow regular class attendance.
To better employees’ chances of success in the workplace and at home, Upskill NWA will also provide career navigators that will work with each participant to develop life skills such as time management, teamwork, financial literacy and credit counseling.
“I am honored to work with Excellerate Foundation and all the philanthropic, educational, and community health partners of Upskill NWA,” Moralez said. “I look forward to waking up every day with a mission to connect people to new careers by
helping them access educational and job opportunities. I am passionate about this life-
changing work and can’t wait to lead this talented team in paving the way for our future leaders. Adelante!”
Excellerate Foundation and Walton Family Foundation partnered to create Upskill NWA. Excellerate will incubate the new organization internally, offering day-to-day guidance and support to its staff and operations. Earlier this year, officials announced Upskill will focus on the health care sector initially, and the first cohort of 100 participants is launching in January 2022.
During the incubation period, Moralez will report directly to the foundation’s president and CEO, Jeff Webster.
“We are very excited to have Carol step into the leadership role of Upskill NWA,” Webster said. “Her business experience and community engagement skills combined with her unique personal journey makes her the ideal person to lead this exciting new venture.”
Moralez previously served as a partner at Serve2Perform by GPA, LLC where she led the Client Relationship and Diversity and Inclusion Practices. She also served as lead partner and co-chair of LatinXNA, an empowerment campaign with a mission to elevate, engage and empower Latinos in Northwest Arkansas. She also worked for more than 25 years at Walmart where she took on multiple leadership roles.
Upskill NWA applicants must have a household income at or lower than 80 percent of the Area Median Income. They must also be a resident of Benton, Madison or Washington County.
Applications and more information is available at www.upskillnwa.com.