YAWA ZEWOU

MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, has hired YAWA ZEWOU as its newest workforce-development specialist to support the ‘Become A Real-Life Rosie’ pilot program, Diversifying Advanced Manufacturing: Women in the Workforce. MACNY says it aims to fill a substantial, unmet need to enhance helping women transition into manufacturing. Through the support of the Empire State Development’s Office of Strategic Workforce Development, MACNY is partnering with Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC), Working Solutions, and other community-based organizations to attract and connect women to apprenticeships and occupations as well as support services like mentorship, childcare subsidies, and transportation vouchers. Orientations and trainings will also be held for employers on the specific needs of female employees. Zewou will play a pivotal role in advancing this program through all phases of its roll out in the next couple years. One of the critical offerings she will be executing is a 12-week pre-apprenticeship program that will include on-the-job training through virtual and in-person classes at MVCC. Zewou holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Francophone studies from SUNY New Paltz and an MPA degree from Cornell University. Her previous supervisory experience working in Cornell’s Office of Academic and Diversity Initiatives will play a key role in her success leading MACNY’s newest initiative. Zewou speaks four languages and spent two years volunteering for the Peace Corps as an English teacher in Indonesia.