NICOLE A. BERTRÁN

Nicole A. Bertrán is a long-time advocate for workers’ rights and has spent nearly a decade devoting her career to creating opportunities for women and minorities through workforce and economic development initiatives.

As Vice President of Program Services at the nonprofit organization, The Edward J. Malloy Initiative for Construction Skills, Inc. (Construction Skills), Ms. Bertrán oversees program operations and the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for the unionized building and construction trades industry’s pre-apprenticeship training program.  Since its inception in 2001, Construction Skills has built a record of success in training, placing, and retaining New York City public high school students and adults for high-wage career opportunities in the unionized construction industry.

Previously, Ms. Bertrán served in local government as the Director of Enforcement for the Division of Economic & Financial Opportunity at the New York City Department of Small Business Services where she worked closely with City Hall and other stakeholders to implement public policy initiatives set forth by the Mayor’s Commission on Construction Opportunity.  In this role, Ms. Bertrán designed a monitoring and compliance program to ensure that construction contractors recruit and retain a workforce reflective of the diversity of New York City.

Ms. Bertrán began her career in the nonprofit sector where she served as Director of Training at NEW – Nontraditional Employment for Women, the nation’s oldest tradeswomen’s organization of its kind.  During her tenure, NEW was recognized locally and nationally for its innovative workforce development programs winning, among other accolades, The Foundation Award from the American Institute of Architects’ Center for Architecture Foundation, the Exemplary Public Interest Contribution (EPIC) Award from the United States Department of Labor, and the Neighborhood Achievement Award from the New York City Department of Small Business Services.

Ms. Bertrán holds a BA in women’s studies from Rutgers College and a MPS in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.  She is a graduate of The United Way of New York City Junior Fellows Emerging Leaders Program, The New York City Leadership Institute, and is a recipient of the New York City Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship.  Ms. Bertrán resides in Brooklyn.