CJI joins panel at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Albany
The Climate Jobs Institute participated in the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Inc. annual Legislative Conference this past weekend. The Conference’s mission is to engage New York State Residents of minority descent in a dialogue about issues and policies that impact their daily lives and communities. It brought together elected officials, business leaders, advocates, and community members for discussions, networking, and celebration.
The Institute’s Melissa Shetler, assistant director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity, along with panelists Jeanette Moy, Commissioner, Office of General Services, Zeneta B. Everhart, Councilmember City of Buffalo, and Crickett Thomas-O'Dell, Director of the Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program with the Workforce Development Institute and NYS Building & Construction Trades, shared insights on the Green Economy panel, “How Communities of Color Will Shape the Future of Technology, Energy, and Design,” moderated by Assemblymember Jon Rivera of the 149th District.
The panel discussed how labor unions, government agencies, and workforce training programs are adapting to the green economy and the ways underrepresented communities can participate. The panelists explored how these communities are shaping the future of sustainability, creating economic opportunities, and driving policy solutions that promote environmental and social justice.
Other panelists included:
- Jeanette Moy, Commissioner, Office of General Services
Jeanette Moy was appointed Commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) by Governor Kathy Hochul in October 2021 and was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate in February 2022. As Commissioner, she also serves as a member of Governor Hochul’s Cabinet. Under Commissioner Moy’s leadership, OGS is implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to improve how the agency operates, making it more data-driven, sustainable, and responsive. She launched a new Division of Resiliency and Sustainability to help meet statewide climate goals, which include converting the State’s light-duty fleet to all zero-emission vehicles by 2035, reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050, and adapting OGS’s assets and operations to the increasing impacts of climate change. Commissioner Moy oversaw OGS’s establishment of the State’s new Office of Language Access to ensure New Yorkers with limited English proficiency have access to the State’s vital programs and services in their primary language.
- Jon Rivera, Assemblymember, 149th District
Jonathan D. Rivera is the Assemblymember for New York State’s 149th Assembly District, representing parts of the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna, the town of Hamburg including the villages of Blasdell and Hamburg, and the hamlet of Lake View. He currently serves as the Chair of the Commission on Administrative Regulations Review as well as Chair of the Subcommittee on Regional Tourism Development. Assemblymember Rivera’s legislative priorities include progressive reform on housing, lead poisoning, literacy, and complete streets/equity in transportation access.
- Zeneta Everhart, Councilmember, City of Buffalo
Zeneta is a Buffalo native born and raised on the East Side of Buffalo. After six years of working in media, Zeneta joined the office of NY State Senator Tim Kennedy where she served as his Director of Diversity & Inclusion; her focus was on ensuring equity through legislation, community building, and the equitable distribution of resources. Following the 5/14 massacre that seriously injured her son Zaire Goodman, Zeneta testified before Congress about the need for stricter gun laws resulting in the passage of the Safer Communities Act. In 2023 Zeneta ran for political office, winning the Democratic Primary and the general election to become the next City of Buffalo Common Councilwoman for the Masten District, a seat that has not been held by a woman in more than 60 years.
- Crickett Thomas-O’Dell, Director, Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program, Workforce Development Institute, NYS Building & Construction Trades
Crickett Thomas-O’Dell joined WDI in 2019 as Regional Director for the Capital Region. As of January 2022 Crickett has moved into the Statewide Pre-Apprentice Program Director position to help fulfill WDI's commitment to providing opportunities for entry-level workers from underrepresented populations to gain the foundational and technical skills that will lead towards successful apprenticeships. Crickett has spent the majority of her professional career working in education settings providing consultative services in the areas of collegiate enrollment management, the transition from print to digital learning environments, international educational travel, and STEM curriculum implementation at the high school and middle school levels nationally. Crickett received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Russell Sage College and Sage Graduate School.
- Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity Cornell Climate Jobs Institute
Melissa is a Senior Training & Education Associate at Cornell University’s ILR School Climate Jobs Institute. She began her labor career as a community organizer with the Laborers Eastern Region Organizing Fund, working to build multi-stakeholder coalitions to ensure quality and labor standards in affordable housing. She was the Director of Organizing and later Political Director for the Ironworkers Local 46 and served as the Executive Director of Pathways to Apprenticeship, a direct entry pre-apprenticeship program focused on union career opportunities for residents of public housing and justice-involved individuals. Melissa is a program presenter for Michigan State University’s Building Trades Academy, where she teaches strategic organizing. She has an M.A. in Adult Learning and Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from SUNY Empire State College.