Ayesha George on Workforce Pathways, Equity, and Scaling Opportunity in New York City

Greg sits down with Ayesha George, Executive Director of STRIVE New York, for a conversation about leadership, second chances, career pathways, and the deeply human work of helping New Yorkers move toward economic mobility.Ayesha shares how her journey began in Michigan, where athletics opened a door to college and helped shape the discipline, competitiveness, and resilience that continue to guide her work today. She reflects on the throughline of her professional life: connecting people to opportunity, helping families and communities navigate systems, and making sure individuals have the support they need to keep moving forward.The conversation explores STRIVE’s approach to workforce development, including career readiness, occupational credentials, job placement, wellness supports, and lifetime support for graduates. Greg and Ayesha also discuss STRIVE’s work with New Yorkers facing significant barriers to employment, including justice-impacted individuals, young adults, underemployed workers, and people reentering the workforce after long periods away. Ayesha highlights the importance of employer partnerships, especially in healthcare, construction, and maintenance, and talks about STRIVE’s expanding work in Brooklyn .Along the way, they talk basketball, pandemic-era lessons, nonprofit leadership, government funding, unions, wage equity, and why workforce development must be treated as a core part of New York City’s economic future.Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood NetworkPublished by: New York City Employment and Training CoalitionTopics: workforce development; economic mobility; STRIVE; STRIVE New York; reentry; justice-impacted individuals; career readiness; job training; occupational training; wraparound supports