About JobForward

As of January 1, 2025, the Institute for American Apprenticeships (IAA) joined forces with Training Funding Partners (TFP) to create JobForward. JobForward is a non-profit organization serving the needs of industry, job seekers, education, and workforce system partners to support the competitiveness of the nation’s workforce.

IAA was founded on its mission to create guaranteed jobs for unemployed and underemployed individuals. Today, IAA has developed and implemented programs to serve thousands of apprentices in numerous nontraditional, apprenticeable occupations for more than 30 regional and national employers. We also provide grant writing services and technical assistance around the U.S. to develop and register apprenticeship programs.

For over 25 years, TFP has been a leader in accessing and managing workforce funding nationally, managing over $235 Million in workforce funding, and developing and implementing talent pipeline, upskilling, and apprenticeship programs. With our combined expertise, we can assist with workforce planning and funding needs for employers, business associations, education and workforce system partners, and government agencies, as well as design and deliver programs for job seekers.

Our Leadership Team

Matthew McKenney

Matt has served as JobForward’s President and Chief Executive Officer since 2021. Before joining JobForward, Matt was the Workforce Development Leader at JobForward’s customer, Hypertherm. As a former customer for 12 years, Matt’s experience in workforce development as an employer and now as a workforce consultant offers a unique perspective on employer needs. Matt has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Columbia University South Carolina and has completed three separate registered apprenticeship programs.

Steven Lutton

Steve joined JobForward in 2010 and currently serves as Chief Operating Officer. In addition to his responsibilities as COO, Steve has been instrumental in developing and implementing registered apprenticeship programs for JobForward clients in the fields of advanced manufacturing, IT, business services, healthcare, telecommunications, and infrastructure. Before joining JobForward, Steve worked at Lane Press for over twenty years as a project manager, team leader and mentor. Steve has a bachelor’s degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Julianna Kirby

Julianna is a senior workforce development professional with over twenty years of experience in workforce development program design, talent pipeline program development, and national grant portfolio management. Julianna has a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from California State University Long Beach, is a Stanford Certified Project Manager, and holds certificates in Investor Relations and Educational Consulting from the University of California, Irvine.

Molly McHugh

Molly joined JobForward in 2016 as Financial Officer after working as an accountant for a public accounting firm for six years. She currently serves as JobForward’s Chief Financial Officer. Molly has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Champlain College.

Our Board of Directors

John J. Collins

John serves as Deputy General Counsel for the University of Vermont.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the Loyola Law Review. John has served on the Board of IAA since its inception in 2000. John has been an active volunteer for several nonprofit boards and committees. He served as chair of the Vermont Heart Association Board of Directors and as a member of the American Heart Association’s Board of Directors.

Joanne Fiore

Joanne is Vice President of Pipeline and Apprenticeships for AICPA. Joanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Government from The University of Texas at Austin and a Jusic Doctorate from New York University School of Law. Joanne is part of the larger effort to engage accounting and finance executives with the goal to professionalize management accounting and to upskill finance and accounting professionals.

Gerald Ghazi

One of the founders of JobForward predecessor Vermont HITEC, Gerry served as its President and CEO since its creation in 2000. He holds a bachelor’s degree cum laude in Computer Science from Rutgers University and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Seton Hall University School of Law. He brings to the board his extensive knowledge and experience in corporate and employment law, information technology, workplace education, entrepreneurial leadership, management, business strategies and sales.

Nate Hendrie

Nate is a Principal Product Lead at Binance. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Cornell University. Nate brings a wealth of experience and creativity in the areas of marketing, sales and project management.

Julianna Kirby

Julianna currently serves as Chief Innovations and Partnership Officer at JobForward. As a founder of JobForward’s predecessor Training Funding Partners, she has been instrumental in connecting workforce stakeholders to the funding and expertise they need to develop and implement effective talent pipeline strategies. Julianna is an Advisory Committee member of the Southern California Apprenticeship Network. She participates in the Advanced Manufacturing Subcommittee for California’s Interagency Committee on Apprenticeship, serves as the Secretary (former Co-Chair) of the Coalition for ETP and Jobs, and is a former member of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership of Southern California Workforce & Training Committee and a former Advisory Board Member for the Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation.

Matthew McKenney

Matt currently serves as President and Chief executive officer at JobForward. In the community, Matt works with schools, business, and state and federal agencies to develop and attain human capital. Matt is Chair of the Board at Headrest, which serves individuals who are in recovery from substance use. Matt also serves on the New Hampshire Governors Recovery Friendly Workplace Advisory Council and is the Business and Industry Association’s representative on the New Hampshire Governor’s Commission for Alcohol and Other Drugs.