About MUS
Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS) serves as a trusted intermediary for urban workforce development boards (WDBs), working to support their local communities by connecting and aligning the key stakeholders of the workforce ecosystem.
Our Vision
Midwest Urban Strategies is committed to ensuring fair and equitable access for all populations across the Midwest who are seeking a better life through the services and supports of the public workforce ecosystem.
Our Mission
Midwest Urban Strategies works to improve the economic conditions of the Midwest, with a targeted focus on urban areas. Our mission is to serve and advance the needs of the region’s populations, employers, workers, job seekers, and workforce development professionals—creating inclusive, sustainable opportunities for all.
Our Values
Through intentional collaboration, Midwest Urban Strategies engages regional and national stakeholders to efficiently and creatively leverage resources—shortening the learning curve in reaching and serving our local communities. Together, we design, test, and implement innovative workforce strategies that empower both workers and employers to achieve their goals and build lasting success.
Our Team
Tracey Carey
Tracey Carey
Tracey Carey leads Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), a consortium of 13 of the largest urban workforce boards in the Midwest. With more than $20 million in federal and philanthropic investment and a growing portfolio of business and service partners, MUS delivers high value resource to its members. The consortium’s mission is to grow business investment and expand and diversify talent in the Midwest. Prior to her tenure with MUS, Ms. Carey enjoyed nearly two decades of service developing and supporting workforce development programs and strategies. As the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Tracey facilitated the summer youth employment program that provided first jobs for more than 500 young people annually. She also developed and facilitated training programs for opportunity youth that reengaged them in school and/or work. In 2014 she joined Employ Milwaukee, the workforce development board for Milwaukee County (WI) as the Director of Fund Development & Strategic Initiatives. While serving in that capacity, Ms. Carey raised an additional $13 million dollars and supported the startup of MUS. Then, in 2018, she left Milwaukee to join the staff at Partner4Work, the workforce development board for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, PA. As the Chief Strategy Officer. At P4W, Tracey led a team of innovators working to improve workforce development practice, including the restart of the area’s workforce funding collaborative. Through her leadership, P4W brought more than $10 million dollars to the region in her first year. Tracey holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Summa cum laude, Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the Center for Non-Profit Management, and Business and Economic Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council.
William Clay
William Clay
William Clay brings over 40 years of expertise in workforce development, nonprofit capacity building, economic development, and youth programs, with a strong focus on community impact and family-strengthening initiatives. As Board Liaison and Corporate Advisor for Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), William provides strategic guidance and technical assistance, serving as a project liaison to the Board of Directors in the development and ongoing maintenance of its strategic plan and board committees.
Throughout his career, William has played a pivotal role in advancing workforce solutions and economic mobility. He has worked extensively in Milwaukee and beyond, collaborating with nonprofit leadership to design services that address holistic family needs. His leadership experience includes serving as:
- Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer at the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee (OIC-GM), where he led the largest welfare reform program in Wisconsin.
- Director of Economic Development & Community Programs at Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he advised the president on community affairs, employment strategies, and minority workforce development in specialized careers.
- Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at North Carolina A&T State University, where he managed strategic initiatives, budget oversight, and sustainability programs, including energy conservation and green technology.
- Project Liaison for AMTC, where he supported the launch and implementation of nine Department of Labor workforce and reentry projects.
Now retired from full-time executive roles, William focuses on executive coaching, project evaluation, and strategic planning for workforce and nonprofit organizations. His expertise spans welfare reform, workforce development, green jobs, weatherization, youth programming, and capacity building.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and remains dedicated to advancing workforce equity, strengthening community partnerships, and mentoring future leaders.
David Eft
David Eft
David Eft is a seasoned Financial Director with a robust track record of elevating business performance and delivering strategic financial insights that empower informed decision-making. As the Finance Director at Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), he spearheads critical budgetary planning and cost management initiatives to ensure the organization's financial stability and alignment with strategic goals. Engaging actively with the board finance committee, David addresses key issues and operational changes, fostering transparency and ensuring organizational alignment.
Previously, David served as Accounting Director at Jigsaw, LLC a marketing and public relations firm in Milwaukee, WI where he oversaw all accounting functions, including A/R, A/P, payroll, and HR, implementing best practices to enhance financial efficiency and compliance.
David’s nonprofit background also includes significant roles as Business Director at City on a Hill in Milwaukee, WI and Grants Manager at Health Care for the Homeless of Milwaukee (Now known as Outreach Community Health Center). Throughout David’s non-profit roles he has demonstrated his passion for helping people in need.
David’s background also includes various contracted accounting positions in the Milwaukee area that provided a broad spectrum of financial experience. In the early part of his career, David worked as a Financial Analyst & Accountant at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC) and as an Accountant for Nordberg Inc. (Now known as Metso).
David holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his dedication to fostering professional growth, improving operational efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards of financial accuracy and integrity.
Carolyn Harper
Carolyn Harper
Carolyn C. Harper is a goal-driven and results-oriented professional with over 40 years of executive level management expertise across many public, private, and non-profits sectors; both domestically and internationally. She has a proven track record in organizational leadership, business development, program design, training and technical assistance, and integrated service delivery process development.
After serving as the Chief of Staff for Public Safety for the City of Philadelphia under former Mayor Nutter’s administration, Carolyn started her own consulting business, Harper & Associates, LLC in 2007. As a consultant she has worked with executive leadership as a senior project manager and business strategist for Pfizer, Temple University, Public/Private Ventures, National Restaurant Association, Black Enterprise Magazine, AmeriCorps, National Urban League, OIC of America, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Philadelphia Center for Literacy, numerous national consulting firms and for Federal Government Agencies including Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMSHA), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor (DOL), and Health and Human Services (HHS). For the last 14 years, Carolyn has provided project manager services as an independent contractor with Coffey Consulting, LLC. In her time at Coffey, she worked with over 80 public, for-profit, and non-profit organizations who received over $200 million in grant funding from the DOL, DOJ, and SAMSHA. Carolyn also served as the DOL’s subject matter expert, coach and technical advisor. In this role, Carolyn provided guidance, training, and strategic support to clients, sub-awardees, and colleagues in the social justice, workforce development, labor sector strategies and leadership development helping to shape program design that benefited the country’s growing economy and future workforce. Carolyn is very excited to join the Midwest Urban Strategies as Director of Reentry Programs.
executive-level management expertise across many public, private, and non-profit sectors, both domestically and internationally.
Kellie Landaker
Kellie Landaker
Kellie Landaker is the Membership Director for Midwest Urban Strategies. She comes to M.U.S. after retiring from a 42-year career in human services. She retired as the Director of the juvenile detention center in St Louis County, Missouri. She is the founder and owner of Fortified Wellbeing LLC, a coaching and consulting firm. Kellie holds a B.A. in Sociology, an Academic Certificate in counseling with juvenile offenders, and an M.S. in Management and Leadership. She is certified to provide training in Mental Health for Juvenile Justice Workers, Law of Attraction, crisis prevention, Girls’ Circle (One Circle) and is a Life Coach certified through American Union of Neurolinguistics. She has done extensive collaboration and has presented workshops on trauma, group work, leadership, law of attraction, manifesting, case planning, community engagement, among many other topics. Kellie joined MUS and built her business by doing what she loves to do the most, teaching, program development, conducting workshops, coaching, and consulting. Kellie lives in St Louis and has two grown sons, a tiny canine companion, and a beautiful chosen family.
Melanie Martin
Melanie Martin
Melanie Martin – Regional Workforce Connector
Melanie Martin is the Regional Workforce Connector for Midwest Urban Strategies (MUS), where she develops strategic partnerships, leads fund development, and designs marketing opportunities that connect employers, workforce boards, and community organizations. She also spearheads the MUS Connector newsletter, a platform showcasing workforce innovation and sponsorship engagement across the Midwest.
With over seven years in regional and national workforce development and two decades in strategic partnerships and business development, Melanie has helped organizations expand their reach through impact-driven marketing programs.
Melanie has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers to education and employment. Her expertise in WIOA compliance and program development has helped individuals access the training and career pathways they need to thrive.
Melanie’s commitment to WIOA led to the development of digital literacy training programs that help individuals overcome technology barriers in their job search and career advancement. She has also worked extensively with American Job Centers, non-profits, and employers to bridge the gap between education and workforce readiness.
Passionate about creating meaningful connections, Melanie thrives on crafting marketing strategies that elevate workforce initiatives, generate revenue, and create lasting solutions that uplift people and strengthen economies. Her work at MUS continues to strengthen regional collaboration, investment, and program innovation in workforce development.
Eileen M. McMahon
Eileen M. McMahon
Originally from Chicago, Illinois with a career spanning over 30 plus years in government, accounting, advertising, manufacturing, communications, and insurance in various administrative roles, Ms. McMahon brings her broad experience in various industries to the fore in her new role at Midwest Urban Strategies. She has also called Monterey, CA and Cleveland, OH home before relocating to Milwaukee in 2001 for a role with General Electric Medical Systems. She most recently assisted executives at Employ Milwaukee.
Her daughter Erin resides in Chicago and is a writer and business owner. Her son Kevin is a commercial painter and musician and lives in Milwaukee. She loves hiking and history.
Robyn M. Minton-Holmes
Robyn M. Minton-Holmes
With over 30 years of nonprofit work experience, Robyn currently serves as Senior Director for Operations and Grants Administration with Midwest Urban Strategies. Prior to joining MUS, Robyn was Vice President of Workforce Initiatives at the Center of Workforce Innovations (CWI). During her 13-year tenure at CWI, she was responsible for the integration, alignment, partnering, and innovation of the State’s Northwest Indiana regional WorkOne (Career Services and One Stop) Centers. She also shared her expertise as a School of Business Faculty Member at the University of Phoenix for ten years.
Robyn’s tenure in the nonprofit world led her to positions where she developed model programs and quality initiatives, set strategic direction in areas where change and crisis management were required, and stood as a human capital expert and coach while managing multi-site operations. She is a results-driven and business-oriented leader.
Before moving to the Midwest, Robyn was a Program Director at the Nashville, Tennessee YWCA where she managed day-to-day operations of the state’s largest domestic violence services program. Her role included program development and expansion, human capital management, (capacity building, community awareness, grants management, volunteer management and quality improvement initiatives. She oversaw this $1.7 million program with proven success and is proud to say that the programs initiated under her direction are still in existence and continue to grow and evolve. While at the YWCA, Robyn worked on initiatives with the United States Department of Justice and the Violence Against Women division in creating and evaluating best practice models.
Prior to the YWCA, Robyn’s social services work in Tennessee included her position as Associate Director at Omni Residential Treatment Service where she managed operations, personnel, and the design and oversight of therapeutic protocols. She also served for ten plus years as a Program Coordinator within the children and youth division of Centerstone, Inc.. Her position with Centerstone involved program development, managing grants, volunteer coordination, and fiscal oversight.
Robyn has an MBA from Vanderbilt University-Nashville, Tennessee. She earned her M.A. in Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a B.A. in Sociology from Kentucky Wesleyen College. She is a member of Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI, 27) and is a commissioned Honorable Kentucky Colonel (’85).
She was a recipient of the Non-Profit Management Scholarship from Nashville’s Center for Non-Profit Management & Vanderbilt University. In addition, her leadership of volunteer recruitment and retention strategies for a school based HIV education program, garnered her recognition on a national level when she was recognized with the Golden Rule Award for Volunteer Management.
Our Member Organizations
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DESC - Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) became the city of Detroit’s workforce agency in 2012. DESC is part of the Michigan Works! Association anda proud partner of the American Job Center network. DESC regularly partners with political and community leaders, employers, community-based organizations, and stakeholders to raise awareness regarding education and workforce issues facing Detroit residents. DESC serves as the fiscal and administrative entity that provides workforce employment and training services for the City of Detroit. DESC reports to the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board (MWDB), which was appointed by the Mayor of the City of Detroit and is responsible for developing the strategy for Detroit’s workforce development service delivery system.
City Of Minneapolis Employment & Training
Minneapolis Employment and Training administers a variety of employment and training programs under the direction of the Mayor, City Council, and Minneapolis Workforce Council. Minneapolis Employment and Training is the administrative entity and staff to the Minneapolis Workforce Council. City programs under the oversight of the Workforce Council include services for low-income adults, dislocated workers, and youth. In Minneapolis, these services are delivered to job seekers and businesses by community-based organizations that have been competitively evaluated and selected based on their ability to effectively serve target groups and achieve employment-related outcomes, including both placement and support for retention in employment.
The Full Employment Council (FEC)
The Full Employment Council Inc. (FEC) is the administrative entity and fiscal agent for two workforce development boards: Kansas City & Vicinity Workforce Development Board and Eastern Jackson County Workforce Development Board. FEC is a business-led private nonprofit corporation whose mission is to obtain public and private sector employment for the unemployed and underemployed residents of the greater Kansas City area. FEC accomplishes this goal by working in collaboration with businesses, local units of government, educational institutions, labor organizations, and community-based organizations. This partnership responds to employer needs while reducing unemployment and underemployment of area residents.
The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board
The Northwest Indiana Workforce Board is a 27-member business member led board representing seven counties of Northwest Indiana including Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke, and Pulaski counties. The board incorporated in 2005 as a non-profit board working in partnership with Local Elected Officials covering each of the seven counties. As part of its infrastructure, the Northwest Indiana Workforce Board has contracted with the Center of Workforce Innovations, Inc. to serve as the board staff, as the One Stop Operator, and to provide some services of Title 1 of WIOA.
EmployIndy
EmployIndy has transitioned to focus on target impact areas to create a more community-driven initiative, becoming a hub for targeted populations and those who have given up hope in the possibility of entering or re-entering the workforce. Establishing a more neighborhood-focused form of workforce development will be designed by both increasing the implementation of resources in local community centers and reducing barriers for residents so they may have access to career pathways and gain the necessary skills to excel in the workforce. This strategy presents employers with qualified candidates to fulfill their hiring needs. This ABC (Any Job, Better Job, Career) Approach exemplifies the transitional goal for both workers and employers, realizing that having access to a career and skilled workers is a journey, not just a destination.
Employ Milwaukee
Employ Milwaukee (EMI) was established in 1989 and is the largest Workforce Development Board in Wisconsin, serving the most diverse racial and economic area in the state. Governed by a board of 36 leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, EMI employs 72 workforce development professionals, coordinates industry leaders across five sector-based advisory boards, and administers an annual budget of over $20 million. The board conducts data tracking and case management for its monthly quantitative and narrative reports to its 20+ funding and government partners. EMI has established an Industry Advisory Board (IAB) operating model around key industry sectors and occupations. Employer and industry representatives drive the alignment of EMI’s talent sourcing and skill development strategies to respond to the current workforce and labor market needs.
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
Created in 2012, The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) is an umbrella organization operating the public workforce system in the City of Chicago and Cook County. The Partnership combines federal and philanthropic resources to broaden the reach and impact of workforce development services for both employers and job seekers. As the largest non-profit workforce development system in the nation, The Partnership has helped place more than 70,000 individuals in employment, collaborated with more than 2,000 employers, and administers more than $300 million in federal and philanthropic funds. The Partnership’s network of more than 50 community-based organizations, 10 American Job Centers, and sector-driven workforce centers serve 132 municipalities.
https://chicookworks.org/
Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board
The mission of the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board is to assist area businesses in meeting their workforce needs by coordinating the workforce development activities of the numerous employment, education, and economic development entities in the region. The OhioMeansJobs One-Stop System strives to act as a consolidated employment resource for all partner programs, employers, and job seeker customers while supporting the mission of the Workforce Development Board. These platforms provide free services made possible through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Labor and operated locally by the Stark Tuscarawas Workforce Development Board and the Stark and Tuscarawas Boards of County Commissioners.
Aspire Workforce Initiative
The Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio serves the city of Columbus and Franklin county. The Board serves the residents and employers in their workforce region, connecting them to training and supportive services and coordinating the planning and convening of workforce system partners from throughout the region. Operating in a collaborative service delivery model, the Board contracts with ResCare to convene three trusted workforce system partners to deliver services to job seekers and incumbent workers. Those system partners include the Urban League, Goodwill, and Jewish Family Services.
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas
The Workforce Alliance is the Local Workforce Development Board, Administrative Entity and Program Administrator for US Department of Labor Education and Training programs in Local Area IV of Kansas, which includes Butler, Cowley, Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick and Sumner counties. It is a proud partner of America’s Job Center Network and Kansansworks.com. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) was signed into law in 2014 and is comprised of multiple titles that provide federal job training programs and adult education programs into block grants. The Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) assures WIOA funds and operations are invested in workforce development activities that address the needs of employers and job seekers in South Central Kansas. Currently, the LWDB operates One Stop Workforce Centers in El Dorado, Winfield, Wellington, and Wichita.
St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE)
The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) offers job seekers and businesses a variety of no-cost employment services, including job training and career counseling. It is the City of St. Louis government agency that offers job seekers and businesses a variety of no-cost services related to employment, training, and career advancement. SLATE, in coordination with the Missouri State Department of Economic Development (DED), Division of Workforce Development (DWD), the City of St. Louis Mayor's office and several partners, operates SLATE Missouri Career Centers, which connect employers to a skilled workforce and provide training and placement services to the City's adult workforce.
Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio
The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio is a 501c3 Ohio chartered nonprofit organization. The Workforce Council of Southwest Ohio implements the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The board is responsible for developing strategies to engage employers, employees, government, education, organized labor and community-based organizations in a partnership to strengthen and expand the workforce resources of the region for the benefit of all the participants and communities where we live, work and raise our families. The SWORWIB sets the vision, policy, and performance expectations for the regional OhioMeansJobs (OMJ) workforce development system In Cincinnati-Hamilton County.
Center of Workforce Innovations
Center of Workforce Innovations is a multi-management nonprofit workforce development organization with its finger on the pulse of employment, education, and economic development. They are a catalyst for community and business investment in workforce, education, and economic development building and enhancing collective capacity to succeed in a new global economy.
Understanding challenges associated with aligning workforce skills to meet the needs of employers, and elevating talent for emerging next generation jobs, CWI is poised and ready to provide solutions and implementation processes.
Consider this. As an organization CWI has a dual purpose.
They serve as an intermediary which is known for its convening community and industry groups to facilitate solutions, providing data and labor market information, offering information about resources, and seeding best practices that help in formulating the solutions. They also directly deliver services such as career advising, provide credit recovery programming, have community learning centers for adult education services while overseeing a network of adult education providers, and they provide oversight for the American Job Centers, known as WorkOne in Indiana.
Commonly known for identifying and implementing best practices, CWI has administered more than 40 public and private ventures intended to improve the quality of the workforce, enhance the business climate, and ensure the realization of a higher quality of life.
While remaining a driver of workforce development in NW Indiana, CWI strategic priorities are on empowering its regional workforce through high quality career advising, skill building and efforts to increase post-secondary credential attainment.
The Workforce Alliance
The Workforce Alliance, initially established in 2016 among six workforce boards in North Florida and South Georgia to break down barriers for job seekers while helping employers hire and retain skilled workers, expanded in FY 2020-2021 with two additional Florida boards and Southeast AlabamaWorks.
The Workforce Alliance is now the first tri-state alliance in the southeast, with nine workforce boards serving 76 counties, thoughout North Florida, South Georgia and Southeast Alabama.
Southwest Indiana Workforce Board
The Southwest Indiana Workforce Board is comprised of business and community organization representatives in Southwest Indiana. The Board oversees the workforce development initiatives and the WorkOne Southwest offices in Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick counties.
South Central Region 8 Workforce Board, Inc.
The South Central Region 8 Workforce Board, Inc. (WDB) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation which has oversight of employment and training programs in the following eight counties: Brown, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange and Owen. The WDB serves as a pass through entity providing employment and training programs in the Economic Growth Region 8 using a variety of state and federal grant resources, including those available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Re-employment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA), Adult Education WorkINdiana Training Program, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), Business Services.The WDB is governed by a volunteer board that will initiate program directives and provide oversight and guidance on program operations. Crowe, LLP serves as the Board's Fiscal Agent.
https://www.in.gov/dwd/workonesouthcentral/resources/
Kentuckiana Works
KentuckianaWorks is the workforce development board for the Louisville region, which includes Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties. We are funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) (through the Kentucky Education Workforce Development Cabinet) and Louisville Metro Government.
We operate a regional network of Kentucky Career Center services that includes job and career counseling, training, resume-building and direct referral to employers.
Our 2021 Strategic Plan lays out our priorities as an organization. We have also developed a Regional Plan for the Central Kentucky region's workforce as well as a Local Plan, both of which are required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
In January (Indiana) and May 2021 (Kentucky), we submitted a draft Bi-State Regional Plan for review. This plan, among the first of its kind in the nation, lays out a framework for KentuckianaWorks and Southern Indiana Works to share data and collaborate across the 13 counties that comprise the Louisville region. It is designed to improve the responsiveness to the needs of the region's employers, job seekers, and students.
Visionz | Support Education Empowerment
Urban and low income youth, especially in Detroit, face a staggering, potentially life-threatening life skills and technology gap. They have lower internet connectivity, fewer computers at home, abysmal access to technology in schools, and they shoulder significant opportunity challenges outside the classroom. Acquiring the life skills that will close these gaps, unfortunately, is a luxury. The Visionz Project plans to close this gap by providing these youth with skills training, education and life support, direct work experience and mentoring relationships.The Visionz Project is a highly interactive training, experiential learning and support program that uses technology, instructor-led classroom training and career exploration activities to teach low income and at-risk youth life skills to help them succeed in life
Career Solutions
Career Solutions is an employment and training organization. For over thirty years, through career counseling, job training, and business relationships, we’ve helped entry-level to experienced workers – youth to adults – train for and gain meaningful self-sustaining employment.
