Obituary

Executive Director of NYATEP, Melinda Mack, Passes Away at 42

Tragic Loss: Executive Director of NYATEP, Melinda Mack, Passes Away at 42

1. Melinda Mack, Executive Director of NYATEP, Passes Away

1. Melinda Mack, Executive Director of NYATEP, Passes Away

Melinda Mack, a passionate advocate for workforce development across New York, has passed away this week at the age of 42 due to cancer. Mack had been leading the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) as its executive director for over a decade. NYATEP is a member association representing 33 local workforce development boards in the state as well as community college systems, local governments, and other groups.

A Dedicated Leader

Therese Daly, interim executive director of NYATEP, expressed her sadness and emphasized the need to continue Mack’s work. She described Mack as not only a real-life superhero for NYATEP but also for the entire workforce. Daly added that Mack wanted them to channel their grief into creating an equitable workforce throughout New York.

A Personal Connection

Sujata Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Tangible Development, initially connected with Mack on a professional level but soon bonded over shared experiences as mothers. Chaudhry fondly remembered Mack as a lovely person going through the joys and challenges of motherhood. She described how Mack would often ask about being a better mother and share her own insights.

Fearless Advocate

Chaudhry further described Mack as fearless, dedicated, and unafraid to ask tough questions that others agreed needed answering. Ryan Silva, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council, praised her as a great motivator who believed in the power of providing career opportunities for individuals and residents across the state.

Ensuring Essential Skills

Brian Williams, executive director of Workforce Development Board Capital Region and chairperson of NYATEP, highlighted Mack’s understanding of the importance of ensuring individuals have the necessary skills to meet business needs. He described her as a warrior unafraid to speak up for fairness and ensure that businesses have the workforce they need and individuals have access to training programs and job opportunities.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Annmarie Lanesey, founder and CEO of CanCode Communities, a nonprofit organization that Mack helped facilitate, expressed how New York is a better state to live in thanks to her contributions. Lanesey compared their work in the field to standing on the shoulders of a giant. Mack is survived by her husband, Andrew, and three children.

The NYATEP board has established a memorial scholarship fund “to carry on Melinda’s empowerment of New York’s workforce for all its citizens,” along with forthcoming additional information.

2. NYATEP Mourns the Loss of Executive Director Melinda Mack

2. NYATEP Mourns the Loss of Executive Director Melinda Mack

The New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) is grieving the loss of its Executive Director, Melinda Mack, who passed away this week at the age of 42 after battling cancer. Mack had been leading NYATEP as its executive director for over a decade. NYATEP is a member association representing 33 local workforce development boards in the state, as well as community college systems, local governments, and other groups.

Therese Daly, interim executive director of NYATEP, expressed deep sadness over Mack’s passing and emphasized the importance of continuing her work. Daly stated, “Melinda was not only a real-life superhero to NYATEP but also to the entire workforce. We are deeply saddened but must remember to carry on her mission.” Daly added, “She wanted us to channel our grief into creating a fair workforce across New York state.”

Sujata Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Tangible Development, initially connected with Mack professionally but soon formed a close bond through shared experiences as mothers. Chaudhry fondly remembered Mack as a loving person going through the joys and challenges of motherhood. She said, “She would always say, ‘Sujata, can we have lunch? So I can just talk about being a mom, you know? And how to be a better mom?'” Chaudhry described Mack as fearless, dedicated, and unafraid to ask tough questions – qualities that others recognized in her too.

Ryan Silva, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC), praised Mack’s dedication and called her an excellent motivator. Silva and Mack collaborated on various initiatives, including an annual conference bringing together workforce experts and economic developers. Silva said, “She lived workforce development. She believed in the power of providing career opportunities for individuals and residents across the entire state.”

Brian Williams, executive director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board and chair of NYATEP, acknowledged Mack’s recognition of the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to meet business needs. Williams stated, “Melinda was a miniature warrior out there and unafraid to speak up about things that might not be popular, to ensure fairness, to ensure that businesses have the workers they need, and individuals have access to training programs and pathways to employment.” According to Williams, Mack played a key role in ensuring that this year’s state budget included language allowing individuals completing subsidized employment programs to continue receiving public benefits while building their occupational skills.

Annmarie Lanesey, founder and CEO of CanCode Communities, a nonprofit organization that Mack helped foster as a board member, expressed gratitude for Mack’s impact on New York. Lanesey said, “We all stand on the shoulders of giants in this work. New York is better because of her.” Mack is survived by her husband Andrew and three children.

In honor of Melinda Mack’s legacy and her contributions to workforce development in New York, NYATEP has established a memorial scholarship fund “to continue empowering Melinda’s workforce development legacy for all New Yorkers,” along with forthcoming details.

3. Remembering Melinda Mack: Executive Director of NYATEP

3. Remembering Melinda Mack: Executive Director of NYATEP

Melinda Mack, a passionate advocate for workforce development across New York, passed away this week at the age of 42 after battling cancer. She had served as the Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) for over a decade. NYATEP is a member association representing 33 local workforce development boards in the state, as well as community college systems, local governments, and other groups.

In a statement, Therese Daly, the interim executive director of NYATEP, described Mack as not only a real-life superhero for NYATEP but also for the entire workforce. Daly added that they are deeply saddened by her loss but must remember to continue her work. Mack’s vision was to create an equitable workforce across New York.

Sujata Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Tangible Development, initially connected with Mack professionally but soon formed a bond through shared experiences as mothers. Chaudhry fondly remembered Mack as a kind-hearted person who was going through the joys and challenges of motherhood. Mack would often ask Chaudhry about being a better mother and how to navigate that journey.

Ryan Silva, executive director of the New York State Economic Development Council, praised Mack’s dedication to workforce development. He emphasized that she believed in the power of providing career opportunities to individuals and communities throughout the state.

Brian Williams, executive director of Workforce Development Board Capital District Region and president of NYATEP, recognized Mack’s understanding of the importance of equipping individuals with necessary skills to meet business demands. According to Williams, Mack was fearless in speaking up for fairness and ensuring that businesses have access to skilled workers while individuals have access to training programs and employment opportunities.

In February, Mack announced on NYATEP’s website that she would undergo surgery for another brain tumor. Despite her own challenges, she called upon others to support the workforce system in her absence. Annmarie Lanesey, founder and CEO of CanCode Communities, a nonprofit organization that Mack helped develop as a board member, expressed gratitude for Mack’s contributions to making New York a better state to live in.

Mack leaves behind her husband Andrew and three children. In her memory, NYATEP has established a scholarship fund “to continue empowering the workforce development efforts of Melinda for all New Yorkers.”

4. Tragic Loss: Executive Director of NYATEP Dies at Age 42

4. Tragic Loss: Executive Director of NYATEP Dies at Age 42

Melinda Mack, a passionate advocate for workforce development across New York, passed away this week at the age of 42 after battling cancer. She had served as the Executive Director of the New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) for over a decade. NYATEP is a member association representing 33 local workforce development boards in the state, as well as community college systems, local governments, and other groups.

Therese Daly, the interim Executive Director of NYATEP, expressed her sadness and emphasized the importance of continuing Mack’s work. Daly stated, “Melinda was not only a real-life superhero to NYATEP but also to the entire workforce. We are deeply saddened but must remember to carry on her legacy.” Daly added, “She wanted us to channel our grief into creating an equitable workforce throughout New York.”

Sujata Chaudhry, founder and CEO of Tangible Development, initially connected with Mack professionally but soon developed a close bond through shared experiences as mothers. Chaudhry recalled, “She was just such a lovely person and going through motherhood herself. She would always say, ‘Sujata, can we have lunch? So I can just talk about being a mom, you know, and how to be a better mom?'” Chaudhry described Mack as fearless, dedicated, and unafraid to ask tough questions – qualities that others also recognized in her.

Ryan Silva, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC), spoke highly of Mack’s contributions. He said, “She was a great motivator… There aren’t enough superlatives to describe her.” Silva and Mack collaborated on various initiatives including an annual conference bringing together workforce experts and economic developers. “She lived workforce development,” Silva said. “She believed in the power that providing career opportunities can bring to individuals and residents across the state.”

Brian Williams, Executive Director of the Capital Region Workforce Development Board and Chair of NYATEP, acknowledged Mack’s understanding of the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to meet business needs. Williams stated, “Melinda was a microcosm of a warrior out there not afraid to say things that may not be popular, to ensure fairness, to ensure that businesses have the workforce they need and individuals have access to training programs, pathways to employment.” According to Williams, Mack played a role in ensuring that this year’s state budget included language allowing individuals who complete subsidized employment programs to continue receiving public benefits for six months while building their job skills.

In a post on NYATEP’s website in February, Mack announced her upcoming surgery for another brain tumor. Despite being in need herself, she quickly shifted her focus towards others. She wrote, “If you have any spare time over the next few weeks, what I really need from all of you in terms of support is not food or gifts. I need you as the voice of the system when I cannot be.” Annmarie Lanesey, founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization CanCode Communities, which Mack helped facilitate as a board member, expressed how New York is a better place to live because of her. Lanesey said, “We are all standing on the shoulders of a giant in this work. Mack leaves behind her husband Andrew and three children.

The NYATEP board has established a memorial scholarship fund “to carry forward Melinda’s empowerment of New York’s workforce for all its citizens,” along with forthcoming additional information.

The Executive Director of NYATEP, a prominent figure in the field, has sadly passed away. Their dedication and leadership will be greatly missed by the organization and the community. Their legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of workforce development.

Related Articles

Back to top button