Mr. Eric Clay, director of career development for Community Works, joined Bon Secours in April 2015, bringing more than 16 years of management and programmatic experience working with low-income, at-risk adults and youth from Baltimore’s most highly distressed neighborhoods. He is responsible for strategic planning, implementation, and performance evaluation for the Career Development Program, which primarily serves west Baltimore residents. This includes individual assessment, job readiness, life skills training, job placement and retention efforts, and follow-up support as well as connection to GED/ABE courses, occupational training and/or certifications. He and his team collaborate with area businesses, academic institutions, community leaders, and other workforce development providers to generate positive outcomes for clients.
Prior to joining Bon Secours, Mr. Clay served in progressively senior operational roles with Maryland Food Bank, Associated Black Charities (ABC), Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC), and Project Garrison. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Virginia and is pursuing a master’s degree in city planning from Morgan State University. He is currently a member of the Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH). In May 2015, Mr. Clay was selected for the first group participating in the Weinberg Sector Skills Academy, a year-long learning and leadership experience for senior professionals who provide workforce development services and technical training in the Baltimore metropolitan area. (The Academy is a joint project of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and The Aspen Institute, with additional support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and The Abell Foundation.)
In January 2015, JAMA Psychiatry published an article co-authored by Mr. Clay detailing the results of a study on depression outcomes associated with an intervention implemented in employment training programs for low-income adolescents and young adults.
Eric Clay is a member of the Weinberg Sector Skills Academy Class of 2015, one of several Workforce Leadership Academies in localities across North America.
The Workforce Leadership Academies are part of the Economic Opportunity Fellows Network, a network of leadership and fellowship programs run by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program. Within this Network, EOP connects national and local leaders from across sectors — nonprofit, government, business, philanthropy, academia, and more — to advance policies and practices with the potential to help low- and moderate-income Americans thrive in today’s economy. Learn more at as.pn/eofn.