Speakers

Thomas Gunn, Manager of Employer and Industry Partnerships (NCUS) ITAP Ohio Sector Partnership Director

Thomas Gunn is a dedicated Workforce Manager at the National Center for Urban Solutions (NCUS) and leads the ITAP Ohio Sector Partnership. With over nine years of experience in workforce development, education, wellness, and community engagement, he has been instrumental in driving innovative solutions that have impacted thousands of lives across the state and country. Through ITAP, Thomas has successfully connected over 2,000 individuals, to IT training opportunities with industry leaders like YSU and NCUS TEC. His leadership has ensured that participants receive toptier education in areas like Cloud Architecture, Software Development, and Cybersecurity, while also linking them to career opportunities with companies such as Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase. Under his guidance, NCUS has hosted impactful events like Columbus AI Week and several highattendance community awareness initiatives, such as the "Wine, Code, and Sip" event series, drawing over 200 plus participants. His passion for workforce engagement has also extended to employer partnerships, where he has secured nearly $500,000 in funding to further expand IT training and upskilling. As Thomas speaks with partners at Youngstown State University (YSU) about the ISP partnership and employer engagement, he remains focused on aligning strategies that close wealth gaps, advance untapped talent pipelines, and create self-sufficiency for communities across Ohio. Together, NCUS and YSU have made significant strides in workforce training, ensuring long-term opportunities for both employer partners and local communities