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Peter Callstrom
CEO (chief employment officer) San Diego Workforce Partnership
Professional Background
Peter Callstrom is a nationally recognized leader in workforce and economic development with a robust career focused on innovative programs aimed at transforming the public workforce system. Since 1986, Peter has been instrumental in leading nonprofit organizations in San Diego County, a region characterized by its diverse economic ecosystem and a population of 3.4 million residents. Over the years, he has dedicated his efforts to providing services to various underrepresented groups including people with disabilities, the homeless, and those facing barriers to employment. As the President and CEO of the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), Peter oversees an annual budget exceeding $35 million funded through public, private sector, and philanthropic investments. His leadership style emphasizes bold thinking, action-oriented solutions, and measurable results that support job seekers of all ages.
Under Peter's direction, the SDWP has developed a rich array of workforce services aimed at empowering underserved populations while remaining accessible to everyone in the community. Each year, the partnership reaches out to tens of thousands of job seekers, offering targeted assistance that enhances their employment prospects and economic stability.
Peter understands the vital role of data in shaping economic initiatives. The SDWP conducts in-depth labor market information (LMI) research, publishing numerous studies to analyze economic needs and trends. Notably, it has created the online platform ‘MyNextMove’, designed to connect LMI insights with users in an engaging way, ensuring that workforce development is informed and relevant to contemporary market demands. Additionally, Peter was pivotal in the establishment of the Launch Pad in collaboration with the Cajon Valley school district. This innovative, hands-on experience is designed to inform and inspire students, teachers, and job seekers by aligning individual strengths and interests with satisfying career paths. Peter envisions this partnership as a model for how education and workforce development can collaborate to empower the next generation.
Peter's leadership at SDWP has led to significant growth and expansion, securing tens of millions of dollars in grants for various initiatives. Among these are new programs tailored for disconnected or opportunity youth, justice-involved individuals, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Peter has also pioneered a robust outreach and engagement strategy through newsletters, social media, op-eds, and numerous media appearances, effectively raising awareness and garnering support for the SDWP’s mission.
A significant achievement under Peter's leadership was the launch of the Income Share Agreement (ISA) fund in 2018, which was the first of its kind in the country specifically designed for workforce development. This innovative financing model enables adult learners to access the education and training they need to improve their career skills and earning potential. The ISA operates under a ‘pay it forward’ premise, establishing an evergreen fund that facilitates access for future participants, ensuring ongoing support for emergent workforce challenges.
Recognized for its progressive initiatives, the SDWP was awarded the ‘WIOA Trailblazer’ title by the National Association of Workforce Boards, distinguishing it as the most innovative of 550 workforce boards in the United States. Furthermore, Peter himself was honored as the Nonprofit CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal in 2021, a testament to his impactful contributions to the field of workforce development.
Education and Achievements
Peter's educational background is as impressive as his professional accomplishments. He studied Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM) at Harvard Business School, an esteemed program that prepares nonprofit leaders to excel in their missions. In addition to his graduate education, Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato. This combination of strategic insight and foundational knowledge in communication has undoubtedly equipped Peter with the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of nonprofit leadership and economic development.
Throughout his career, Peter has played executive roles at several impactful organizations. Prior to his current position at the SDWP, he served as the Chief Executive Officer at the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, showcasing his commitment to tackling homelessness and supporting vulnerable communities. He also acted as a Principal Consultant, demonstrating his expertise in guiding organizations towards effective strategies and policies. His experience as the President and CEO of Partnerships With Industry further emphasizes his dedication to fostering inclusive workforce solutions that empower individuals to thrive economically.
Achievements
- WIOA Trailblazer Award: Recognized as the most innovative workforce board in the U.S. among 550 competitors, highlighting SDWP's commitment to excellence in workforce development.
- San Diego Business Journal Nonprofit CEO of the Year (2021): Acknowledged for outstanding leadership and innovation in nonprofit management and workforce development initiatives.
- Launch of Income Share Agreement (ISA) Fund (2018): Initiated the first workforce ISA in the U.S., revolutionizing student financing for adult learners to enhance career mobility.
- Creation of ‘MyNextMove’ Online Platform: Developed a resource that makes labor market information accessible and engaging for job seekers, employing technology to prepare individuals for the job market.
- Expansion of Programs for Disconnected Youth and Vulnerable Populations: Launched new initiatives to support various underrepresented groups, securing tens of millions in grants to sustain these essential services.
- Active Engagement in Community Outreach: Implemented widespread communication strategies including newsletters and social media to raise awareness and support for workforce development initiatives, driving engagement and collaboration across sectors.
Peter Callstrom’s career is a testament to the power of innovative leadership in workforce development, emphasizing a holistic approach that incorporates education, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making. His unwavering commitment to empowering diverse populations and creating opportunities for economic advancement showcases the transformative impact one individual can have in addressing complex socio-economic challenges.
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Yes, Clay offers extensive integration capabilities. Clay introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Clay supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Clay also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
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Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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Clay's AI capabilities are at the forefront of personal CRM innovation. Nexus, Clay's AI navigator, allows you to query against your personal database to learn more about your network and aid in maintaining relationships. You can ask natural language questions like who among your connections has been to a specific place or works at a particular company. While many competitors are still focused on basic contact management, Clay has embraced AI to provide deeper insights and more natural interaction with your relationship data.
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