Gwendolyn L. Summers

2022 - Present

Senior Project Manager, Workforce Development & Training

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), Albany, NY

Develop, drive, and implement strategies and interventions to address New York’s workforce training and skills gap with a priority on serving members of disadvantaged communities, Women- and Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-disabled and Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOBs). Manage $20 million in grant funding to advance clean energy training and workforce development for new and existing workers.

• Lead NYSERDA’s engagement in statewide workforce initiatives, including its first federally funded “Pay for Success” Clean Energy Training Project and the New York Community College Energy Equity (NYCCEE) Consortium to train several thousand individuals in clean energy and energy efficiency, including at least 50% from disadvantaged communities.

• Serve as an active member of NYSERDA’s Women for Equity and Advocacy Resource (WE-AR) Group.

2019-Present

Founder, CultureLynx

CultureLynx LLC, Saratoga Springs, NY

Serve as strategist, consultant and trusted advisor for businesses seeking to transform cultures to maximize value from employee diversity in skills, talents, experience, and backgrounds. Provide subject matter expertise, thought leadership, program management, and communications support to develop & operationalize initiatives and meet targeted business goals.

• Led workshop on dismantling racism and white privilege, importance of allyship and leading courageous conversations in wake of Black Lives Matter movement for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region;

• Launched CultureLynx blog and CultureChat interview series to explore topics related to culture (e.g., German Identity Post-WWII, Indian Culture & Identity) and present-day challenges, offering new perspectives, inspiration, and insight.

• Introduced Yoga Veda Saratoga as sister program to CultureLynx, rounding out D&I with holistic focus on health and wellness.

2019-2020

Lead, Employee Training & Development

Fingerpaint Marketing, Saratoga Springs, NY

Elevated Fingerpaint’s employee training and development experience by creating first, comprehensive L&OD program. Cohesively carried the agency’s vision and promise across all 300 employees and 4 offices.

• Launched “Fingerpaint University 2.0,” including structure, policies, branding and communications, delivering inspiring content and innovative programming in the form of boot camps, panel discussions, workshops, and special series dedicated to Digital, Media, Medical Strategy, and Diversity & Inclusion to meet critical business needs;

• Maximized partnership with Thrive Global to bring latest science and performance-enhancing well-being strategies to Fingerpaint, continuously driving employee engagement and elevating agency’s people-first culture.

2018-2019

Senior Specialist, Global Ethics & Compliance

GlobalFoundries, Malta, NY

Managed corporate compliance program and instituted global communications plan to ensure timely and strategic messaging on ethics and compliance issues, and related policies. Created and initiated annual Code of Conduct training and other strategic initiatives to foster culture of integrity and compliance.

• Developed and launched 2018 Code of Conduct training in English, German, and Mandarin, achieving 99%+ completion rate across 30+ sites worldwide; formulated and executed first global ‘Ethics Week’ initiative, engaging 17K employees.

• Developed first global Respect training, including sexual harassment prevention and diversity & inclusion.

• Led engagement of 7 global Compliance Networks, driving 10% increase in employee contacts in just 1 year.

2017-2018

Senior Specialist, U.S. Government Affairs

GlobalFoundries, Malta, NY

Oversaw legislative, policy, and regulatory tracking, budget, and internal alignment and engagement with subject matter experts to ensure appropriate business participation in industry associations. Led advanced lobbying efforts on international policy issues focused on transatlantic and U.S.-China relations, trade compliance, and workforce policy.

• Coordinated activities in alignment with 4 global government affairs teams, drafting risk assessments, white papers, and strategic recommendations based on geo-political developments.

• Collaborated with Global Trade Compliance and U.S. Government Affairs teams, averting federal legislation restricting outbound technology transfers, and facilitating continued viability of $10B investment in Chinese semiconductor fab.

2015-2017

Lead, U.S. Education & Workforce Development Programs

GlobalFoundries, Malta, NY

Spearheaded strategic education and workforce development initiatives to ensure alignment among 3 U.S. fabs in New York and Vermont. Developed and implemented comprehensive workforce development plan to address middle-skills gap and foster skilled talent pipeline in New York Tech Valley.

• Drove development of Manufacturing Technology Education Center (MTEC), a public-private collaborative with Clarkson University, SUNY, NEATEC, P-TECH, and 2 national Manufacturing Institutes of Innovation.

• Devised and led nationally recognized ambassadors’ program (“GLOBALAmbassadors”), including branding, training, and communications, mobilizing 120 employees to strengthen relationships with K-12 and higher education communities.

• Developed and launched 1st hands-on summer STEM camp for middle school girls (“GLOBALGirls”) in collaboration with Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, addressing gender gap in advanced manufacturing.

2011-2014

Manager, Technology Policy & Communications

Daimler External Affairs, Washington, DC

Oversaw federal and state affairs, communications, and technology policy initiatives for Daimler's North American business units that included Daimler Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, Sprinter Vans, car2go, smart and Mercedes-Benz USA. Served as communications and media liaison to Washington correspondents and Daimler business units.

• Partnered with industry associations, SMEs and other OEMs, leading development of first industry-wide framework for data privacy (“Consumer Privacy Protection Principles”), and federal framework legislation for autonomous vehicles, positioning Mercedes-Benz and Daimler as global leaders in advanced vehicle technology.

• Organized open houses, including President Obama’s 2012 visit to Freightliner truck manufacturing facility in Mt Holly, NC.

2009-2011

Legislative Aide & Policy Analyst

New York State Senate, Albany, NY

Served as Legislative Aide to Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein and Policy Analyst for Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Conducted policy research, drafted reports, introduced legislation, secured constituent support, and arranged press conferences. Managed development of IDC member reports to reduce inequalities, and decrease public spending.

• Played key role as policy analyst and team leader on bipartisan Senate Task Force for Government Efficiency, conducting investigations into spending practices of NYSDOT, and uncovering $67M+ in potential savings.

• Authored reports, curtailing spread of cyberbullying in New York state, identifying and moving sex offenders illegally residing in public housing, outlawing insurance rate evasion, analyzing effectiveness of Rockefeller Drug Law Reform, and realizing $37M savings by consolidating State Inspector General System.

2008

Trainee, European Economic & Social Committee

European Union, Brussels, Belgium

Participated in highly-coveted traineeship with the European Economic & Social Committee supporting EU delegates and gaining first-hand experience and insight into European policymaking. Participated in study visits to EU institutions (European Parliament, European Commission, European Defense Agency, European Anti-Fraud Office and European Court of Justice); international organizations (UNESCO, ILO, OECD, and IMF); and civil society organizations (American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union).

• Conducted research, drafted project proposals, and created summary reports of study group decisions on issues related to innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability in the European helictopter, textiles, and forest-based industries.

• Assisted with editing, launch and distribution of EESC brochure on European textile and apparel industries; composed newsletters and PowerPoint presentations; translated documents from French into English & German.