Barbara Chang is Macaulay’s 2024 Commencement Speaker

Macaulay Honors College proudly announces that Barbara Chang, a trailblazer in empowering individuals and communities through education, training, and employment opportunities, will deliver the Commencement address to the Macaulay Honors College Class of 2024. Barbara’s leadership has transformed countless lives and changed the landscape of workforce development in New York City.

“Throughout her distinguished career, Barbara has demonstrated a profound commitment to harnessing the power of professional development opportunities,” said Macaulay Dean Dara N. Byrne. “She shares our belief that experiential learning is a catalyst for New Yorkers to thrive as professionals and contribute to the city’s vitality. And I know she will be an inspiration to our graduates and their families.”

For over three decades, Barbara has served in nonprofit management within the New York metropolitan area, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of workforce development and education. As the Executive Director of CareerWise New York, Barbara spearheaded an initiative that brought modern apprenticeship programs to New York City schools and companies. By advocating for fair hiring practices, Barbara has championed the rights and dignity of all workers.

Underpinning Barbara’s career is her commitment to public service and her belief that the impact of this work is deeply profound and transformative. As a native New Yorker raised in the Bronx, Barbara was influenced by her exposure to poverty as well as middle class lifestyles, and her life’s work reflects that experience.

“Throughout my career I’ve worked with executives in finance, technology, healthcare and government,” says Barbara. “All of these careers involve a dance of power, money, politics and influence. Public service is not excluded from this dance, but its purpose should be grounded in creating a more equitable foundation for all New Yorkers.”

Before CareerWise, Barbara served as Executive Vice President of HERE to HERE, an organization whose vision is to unite employers, NYC schools and local universities. Earlier, Barbara was Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development;  and Executive Vice President of Per Scholas, the city’s largest IT workforce development organization.

Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2024 will take place Thursday, May 23 at 3:00PM at United Palace in upper Manhattan.