5th Annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit Spotlights Innovative High School Programs Bringing Job Skills to Students
In partnership with Think Together and the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, the fifth annual summit explored solutions for preparing students for college and career success.
ONTARIO, CALIF. (Sept. 30, 2025) – Think Together, California’s leading nonprofit provider of expanded learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and school improvement services, in partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, hosted its fifth annual Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit at the Ontario Airport Hotel and Conference Center on Sept 30.
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, the summit brought together business, education, and community leaders to explore innovative high school programs that are shaping the region’s future workforce. The summit underscores the importance of aligning education with workforce development to meet the Inland Empire’s growing economic needs. Kaiser Permanente, a longtime supporter of Think Together’s initiatives, plays a key role in helping students access programs that foster real-world skills and career readiness.
“Our continued partnership with the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kaiser Permanente and so many others, allows us to drive innovation in education and provide meaningful access to WREP programs for students,” said Randy Barth, Founder and CEO of Think Together. “With the ongoing support of our community and partners, we can expand programs that engage students and prepare them for a successful future at a time when these opportunities are needed most.”
The event featured remarks from Edward Ornelas, Jr., President of the Inland Empire Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Barth, who opened the program. Dr. Guillermo Escalante, Associate Dean at California State University, San Bernardino, provided a higher education perspective on the regional workforce pipeline and introduced program case studies from Desert Hot Springs High School Principal Omar Tinoco and Palm Springs Unified School District Director of Expanded Learning Amber Gascoigne, highlighting career pathways in barbering and fashion design.
The summit also featured a keynote address from Dr. Angelo Farooq, California Workforce Development Board Member, and a panel discussion moderated by Think Together’s Director of District Partnerships, Johanna Lizarraga, with participation from: Dr. Steve Lee, Kaiser Permanente; Amy Foell, San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership; Dr. Stephanie Houston, San Bernardino County Office of Education; and Dr. Heather Williams Riverside County Office of Education.
“Events like the Inland Empire Education and Workforce Summit demonstrate the power of collaboration between education, business, and the community,” said Edward Ornelas, Jr. “By investing in programs that help students explore their talents and career paths, we’re not only preparing the next generation of leaders but also strengthening the Inland Empire’s economic future.”
Through workforce readiness programs and community partnerships, students develop essential 21st-century skills such as coding, robotics, AI and digital literacy, while also sharpening soft skills like problem-solving, empathy and active listening.
With a population of over 4 million, the Inland Empire is one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the state, making continued investments in education and workforce development critical. Private and public partnerships, like those highlighted at the summit, are key to sustaining high-quality programs and ensuring every student in the region is ready to succeed.
About Think Together
For over 25 years, Think Together has partnered with schools and communities to pursue educational opportunity and excellence for all kids. As a nonprofit organization, Think Together innovates, implements, and scales academic solutions that change the odds for hundreds of thousands of California students each year. Think Together’s program areas include early learning, afterschool programs, staffing, and leadership development for teachers and school administrators. For more information, call (888) 485-THINK or visit www.thinktogether.org.
About the Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC)
The Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce (IERCC) supports commerce and economic prosperity throughout Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. The IERCC provides a platform for business executives to engage, network, and conduct business with like-minded individuals from all over the Inland Empire region. Learn more about the IERCC visit www.iechamber.org.
