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September 3, 2021

Workforce Development Board member Mimi Rosado is the deputy of corporate programs at the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific. Before her time at NIWC Pacific, she served as division head of corporate strategy and director of Total Force Movement with the US Navy. Here Mimi tells us about her passion for workforce development and her favorite part of being a board member.

Why are you passionate about workforce development?

Supporting individuals in their journey towards sustainable employment supports not only that person, but their family, their community and the entire region. It’s an investment that pays dividends not only today and tomorrow, but possibly forever. It can change families multiple generations in the future. The opportunity to be part of something that I know will build positive family and community legacy is such an honor. We should all be passionate about workforce development.

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If you had $1M to donate to a workforce development program, what would you want done with it?

Assuming this donation is above what is already being done in traditional workforce development, I would want two things done with those additional funds. First, I think providing individuals wraparound services like transportation and daycare is critical because this in itself can become the barrier that keeps them from making the commitment to changing their life. The second thing I’d invest the funds in is personal coaching services to help these same individuals with personal, emotional and mental barriers that may be keeping them from accepting that they are worth the investment. Sometimes, all it takes is knowing you’re worth the investment to do something amazing.

What do you like best about being on the Workforce Development Board?

The idea that a group of individuals and organizations have set aside their own agendas to work together on a mission that benefits others more than themselves is beautiful to me. The board is made up of high-functioning individuals and organizations who are not only willing to learn from each other, but do so with a shared goal of lifting up the entire community. Besides all the wonderful work the board accomplishes, the synergy of this team is personally invigorating and professionally satisfying. I’m extremely honored to be able to be part of such an amazing group of servant leaders.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

My passion for helping others extends beyond the workplace. I spend much of my downtime supporting friends and loved ones with their own career progressions, small businesses and even non-profits. At the moment, I’m helping a friend stand up a non-profit community development corporation that is committed to bringing food, electricity and water stability to San Diego’s rural, high-desert area. I also develop and deliver workshops as a certified coach a few times a year for individuals undergoing life changes. Outside of those projects, I spend time with my adult children and granddaughter and spend as much time as possible outdoors hiking or gardening so I have the energy (and mindset) to continue this important work.

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