How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Transforming Workforce Education for America’s Frontline Employees

Work is changing fast. Automation and artificial intelligence aren’t just reshaping how we work—they’re redefining who gets access to opportunity in the first place. With frontline workers making up a significant share of the American workforce—and one in eight Americans having worked at McDonald’s—the discussion about education, skills, and upward mobility feels more urgent than ever. As employers look for new ways to support their workforce, the focus is shifting from simply filling jobs to building lasting careers that can grow and adapt alongside technology.How can large employers and innovative startups collaborate to close the skills gap and prepare millions of frontline employees for the AI-driven future of work?In the second episode of this two-part series on DisruptED, host Ron J. Stefanski sits down with Lisa Schumacher, Director of Education Strategies and Workforce Policy at McDonald’s Corporation, and Jason Aubrey, Founder and CEO of Skilltrade. Together, they explore how public-private partnerships, technology, and creative funding models are transforming workforce education—making it more accessible, practical, and impactful for those on the front lines of America’s economy.The main topics of conversation…AI as a Career Compass: Lisa discusses how AI will shape career discovery and education, helping workers identify transferable skills and navigate new opportunities across industries.Braided Funding and Employer Partnerships: Jason explains how Skilltrade leverages workforce grants, employer sponsorships, and flexible tuition models to make education accessible without financial strain.Public-Private Partnerships in Action: The guests share how collaborations between corporations, educational institutions, and government programs are creating scalable models for workforce upskilling and credential recognition.Lisa Schumacher is the Director of Education Strategies and Workforce Policy at McDonald’s Corporation, where she has led initiatives for over a decade to build workforce capability and strengthen the company’s talent pipeline. Prior to McDonald’s, she directed workforce development programs at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), focusing on adult education and upskilling. She spent 18 years at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she led the academy and developed professional training and learning programs for healthcare professionals.Jason Aubrey is a workforce development and EdTech leader with extensive experience scaling tech-enabled education and healthcare businesses. As CEO of Skilltrade and former CEO of MedCerts (acquired by Stride, Inc.), he has driven innovation in online certification training, workforce partnerships, and upskilling strategies that connect learners to in-demand careers. A former entrepreneur and investor, Jason co-founded LectureTools, a learning technology company used at 800 universities worldwide, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.