INDIANAPOLIS – 16 Tech Community Corporation (16TCC), the non-profit organization responsible for the physical and programmatic development of the 16 Tech Innovation District, has named Tracey Jackson VP of Workforce Development and Community Impact. In this new role, Jackson will build upon 16 Tech’s longstanding community engagement efforts to connect and prepare diverse talent, especially residents of the Near West and Near Northwest neighborhoods of Indianapolis to opportunities in advanced industries.

“16 Tech is excited to welcome Tracey Jackson to its leadership team,” said Emily Krueger, President & CEO of 16 Tech Community Corporation. “Lowering barriers to participation in the innovation economy has been core to the long-term vision for 16 Tech. We’re excited to build on our history of grassroots engagement including the 16 Tech Community Investment Fund and the 16 Tech Street Team and to play a larger role in regional and state workforce and talent initiatives to ensure the availability of opportunities in 16 Tech that support workforce, talent attraction and retention, experiential learning and K-12 STEM opportunities.”

Jackson will lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the 16 Tech’s talent and community initiatives, ensuring alignment and effectiveness of programs to cultivate inclusive, neighborhood-based talent pipelines that can successfully meet employers’ talent demands in the 16 Tech Innovation District and in STEM occupations in Central Indiana. She will be responsible for creating partnerships that link 16 Tech with state and industry resources to address workforce development and community needs.

Jackson brings nearly 20 years of experience within the higher education, human resources and nonprofit sectors. She has utilized her experience in workforce development, restorative justice, community and social impact, recruitment, student success, talent development & innovation, and philanthropic relationship building to lead and execute organizational goals. By engaging both community and employer partner needs, Jackson has a record of success creating career pathways and economic mobility for underserved and historically marginalized communities.

Jackson is known for her work supporting and elevating workforce boards, creating nationally recognized restorative justice programs, designing and launching equitable training programs for both global and local companies and leveraging her strong relationships in the community to scale equitable access to education and careers. She has held leadership roles at Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University School of Medicine, Martin University and is the Founder and CEO of Real Chance Strategies, LLC.

Jackson is graduate of Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Art in Communications and Master’s in Human Resource Management. She is a board member for Step-Up, Inc, ThriveFunds and serves on the leadership council for United Negro College Fund. Jackson is married with three sons. In her spare time, she enjoys extracurricular activities with the kids, vacationing, writing/listening to poetry and binge-watching Netflix shows.