People news: IAED hires Holland-Bavis as workforce-program manager

In this role, she will implement workforce-development programming that addresses the needs of local employers by aligning community partners and resource providers, IAED said in a news release.

Specifically, Holland-Bavis will provide “tactical leadership” for IAED’s ongoing “Direct to Work: Pathways to Manufacturing” initiative and the future “Tompkins Build”construction-trades program.

“Mary’s diverse expertise and customer-focused mindset are an invaluable asset to IAED’s workforce program,” Heather McDaniel, president of IAED, said. “I am confident she will do great things for employers in Ithaca and Tompkins County.”

Holland-Bavis brings more than 10 years of program and event management to the role.

She most recently worked at the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, where her duties focused on stakeholder relationships and the planning and delivery of initiatives, events, and awards. Holland-Bavis has worked in similar capacities at Ithaca College and Syracuse University, IAED noted.

“This year is a pivotal one for our workforce-development program as we expand the manufacturing partnership and extend into the construction trades,” Danielle Szabo, IAED’s director of workforce innovation, said in the release. “Mary’s skillset is perfect for coordinating and delivering multiple objectives with myriad stakeholders. She’s also able to hit the ground running, which will be a big help.”

Holland-Bavis earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from SUNY Fredonia anda master’s degree in education from the University at Buffalo, per the announcement.