August 10-11 | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
[ Agenda ]
Monday, August 10 - Kidd Island Bay
Monday's sessions will focus on expanding opportunity: how employers are investing in talent, how stronger partnerships can improve economic mobility, and what it takes to make opportunity more visible, accessible, and achievable.
In the conference center to the left of the resort entryway.
Welcome: Why We're Here
Timothy van den Broek, Lightcast CEO
An overview of the summit, the conversations ahead, and how we'll work together over the next two days.
Talent without Boundaries
Leading employers discuss how they're investing in re-skilling both within their organizations and across their communities to expand opportunity, strengthen talent pipelines, and meet evolving workforce needs.
Speakers:
Emlyn De Leon - USAA
Mark Smith - Providence Health
Anna Collura - Career Choice Amazon
Cara Christopher - Lightcast (moderator)
Opportunity as a North Star
Opportunity doesn't happen by accident—it requires better information, stronger partnerships, and a shared commitment across employers, educators, workforce organizations, and philanthropy. This conversation explores what it will take to make opportunity more visible, accessible, and achievable for everyone.
Speakers:
Courtney Haynes - Opportunity@Work
Sophia Yager - National Governors Association
Allison Gerber- The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Carrie Cole - SVP of Public Sector, Lightcast (Moderator)
Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
Meet fellow attendees through guided small-group conversations designed to surface shared challenges, exchange ideas, and build relationships that continue throughout the summit.
Enjoy delicious food and great company while taking in the views on Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Head to the Marina Boardwalk outside of the resort to find the boarding station in front of our boat "The Coeur d'Alene".
Tuesday, August 11 - Bay 5
Tuesday's sessions will turn to the forces shaping the future of work. Through sharp analysis, peer discussion, and practical working sessions, we’ll examine geopolitics, AI, labor shortages, and the how we can adopt practical solutions that will promote competitiveness and mobility over the next decade.
Enjoy an Ascent breakfast in Beverly's restaurant on the 7th floor of the resort.
How will work get done? A look at the three forces reshaping the global workforce and what they mean for employers, educators, policymakers, and communities.
Speaker:
Ron Hetrick - Principal Economist, Lightcast
How Do We Modernize Policy for a Changing Labor Market?
Leaders from workforce, policy, and philanthropy discuss the policy choices that will most influence workforce competitiveness over the next decade.
Speakers:
Mark Rigdon - Strada Education Foundation
Amanda Ahlstrand - American Institutes for Research
Chris Laney - Lightcast (Moderator)
Interactive Workshop
Working together, attendees will identify and prioritize the policy actions that matter most for strengthening the future workforce.
Moderator:
Chris Laney - Lightcast
Enjoy a catered lunch at Beverly's on the 7th floor of the resort.
Keynote: How Do We Stay Ahead of the Pace of Change?
How AI is reshaping workforce strategy—and what organizations should be doing now.
Speaker:
Matt Walsh - Director of Research, Lightcast
Panel Discussion on AI
How employers, states, and technology leaders are approaching AI adoption, workforce readiness, and responsible implementation.
Speakers:
Sean Murphy - Bipartisan Policy Center
Natalia Broitman- Grow with Google
Matt Walsh - Lightcast (Moderator)
Expert AMA
A candid conversation with Lightcast leaders tackling attendees' toughest questions about workforce data, AI, and the future of work.
Moderators:
Matt Walsh - Lightcast
John Pernsteiner - Lightcast
Panel Discussion: Who Will Do the Work?
Why organizations like AWS are investing in workforce development—and what those investments mean for communities, employers, and economic growth.
Speakers:
Courtney Taylor - AccelerateMS
Lindsay Hopkins - Amazon Web Services
Josh Wright - Lightcast (Moderator)
Rapid-fire solutions: What's working?
A series of 10-minute talks from leaders across the workforce ecosystem showcasing innovative approaches to expanding opportunity, addressing labor shortages, and building stronger talent pipelines.
Speakers:
Layla O'Kane - Opportunity@Work
Amber Garrison Duncan - C-BEN
Sytease Geib - National Governors Association
Josh Wright - Lightcast (Moderator)
A synthesis of key insights, emerging themes, and ideas to carry forward beyond Ascent.
Speaker:
Carrie Cole - Lightcast
Enjoy dinner with fellow attendees hosted by individual Lightcasters at some of the amazing restaurants around downtown Coeur d'Alene.
Meet in the lobby of the conference center to find your dinner host.
Here’s what sets Ascent apart:
Most conferences exist to sell tickets, give vendors a stage, or amplify one organization's agenda. But that isn’t Ascent: instead, our goal is to create a space where a few hand-chosen leaders can set aside the polished soundbites and actually engage with each other.
Workers' careers are being reshaped by AI, demographic change, and economic uncertainty, while the institutions responsible for opportunity are being forced to rethink long-standing assumptions, strategies, and funding models. As the old playbooks become less reliable, leaders need a place to compare what they're seeing and challenge their thinking.
We’ve seen enough predictions. Now, we want to figure out how to build what’s next. Ascent is where you’ll start the conversations that lead to action.
Start With Data
There is no shortage of opinions about the future of work. What leaders need is a shared understanding of what's actually happening. Ascent will bring together the latest research, labor market insights, and practitioner experience to ground conversations in evidence and help translate ideas into action.
Be In The Room
For over 25 years, Lightcast has sought to create a job market that works for everyone, so we know who leads the conversation within and across the worlds of enterprise, education, and the public sector. You’re the best of the best: everyone invited to Ascent is someone that the others would benefit from hearing. You’ll uncover what others are thinking and working on, while also sharing your own successes and ideas.
This is not a conference for passive observation. This is where the next planning cycle takes shape.
By Invitation Only
Lightcast is inviting only a select few leaders to join us in Coeur d'Alene. Please don't share the link to this webpage.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort
Set along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene in beautiful northern Idaho, the resort offers a seamless blend of natural beauty and elevated hospitality. Guests can explore boutique shops and restaurants on-site or downtown Coeur d'Alene, enjoy lakeside trails, or simply take in the stunning surroundings.
Resort Highlights:
Iconic waterfront setting with sweeping lake views
World-renowned golf course featuring the famous "Floating Green"
Luxury spa, infinity pool, and wellness experiences
On-site dining, lake cruises, and curated activities
Walkable access to shops, dining, and entertainment
Transportation
The easiest way to reach Coeur D'Alene is to fly into Spokane International Airport (GEG)—from there, the venue is about a 45-minute drive away.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort offers several transportation options for guests (including an airport shuttle for $45) as well as paid on-site parking ($26 per night). Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Rental cars are available trough all major brands at Spokane International Airport.
Rideshare services generally cost around $100 one-way from Spokane International Airport to the resort.
FAQs
How much does Ascent cost?
There is no ticket or admission charge for Ascent. Your transportation and lodging are your responsibility, but the event itself will be courtesy of Lightcast.
What meals are included?
Monday night's dinner cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene is included, as are all meals on Tuesday. Breakfast and lunch will be catered, while individual Lightcasters will host small groups for dinner at restaurants across Coeur d'Alene.
What's the dress code?
Dress code for Ascent will be business casual.
Can I bring guests?
You're more than welcome to bring guests with you to Coeur d'Alene and the resort, but all Ascent sessions, meals, and activities are reserved exclusively for registered attendees.
What will the weather be like?
Summer in northern Idaho is usually mild. Highs might get into the 80s (Fahrenheit), but temperatures often return to the mid-to-high 50s in the evening. July and August are the warmest and driest months of the year—ideal for enjoying Lake Coeur d'Alene and the area’s many outdoor activities.
I have another question. Who can I ask?
For any question regarding the event please reach out to sharline.andersen@lightcast.io.