Pfuture Workforce Luncheon

Texas continues to lead the nation in job creation, business growth and economic opportunity—but a strong economy depends on having the talent and skills to sustain it.

Join us for a timely and candid workforce luncheon panel exploring what Texas employers need today, how those needs are changing, and whether our training systems are keeping pace. Panelists will examine the skills employers are struggling to find, the evolving value of degrees and credentials, and the impact of AI on the future.

The conversation will also tackle some of the harder questions facing Texas: How can we expand workforce participation when workers are navigating child care, transportation and housing costs? How can employers reach talented people they may be overlooking? And what can business, education, government and community leaders do differently to strengthen the workforce?

Register today and join the conversation! 

• Amber Warne, Sr. Director, Business Engagement, Workforce Solutions Capital Area
• Dr. Kelly Coke, Provost, Texas State Technical College
• Dr. Laura Marmalejo, Dean, Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
• Stacey Pfefferkorn, Director, Business & Workforce Development, PCDC
• Traci Hendrix, Executive Director of CCMR, Pflugerville ISD

Panel Bios

Amber Warne is a workforce development professional with over 15 years of experience and a first-generation college graduate from the University of Arizona. As the Senior Director of Business Engagement for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, she excels in shaping strategic partnerships between local businesses, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Her expertise lies in establishing talent pipelines through industry partnerships, work-based learning, apprenticeships, and upskilling strategies. Amber is a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and community collaboration, driving initiatives to support underserved populations and meet local industry demands.


Dr. Kelly Coke serves as the provost of Texas State Technical College’s (TSTC) Williamson County campus, where she leads faculty and staff while serving as regional administrator to advance the college’s mission, “To put Texans in great paying jobs.” A sixth-generation Texan, she has dedicated her career to expanding higher education pathways and strengthening workforce development training across the state.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Leadership and Development from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in Adult Education from Texas A&M University–Texarkana, and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with a focus on higher education from Abilene Christian University.
At TSTC, Dr. Coke leads initiatives to expand technical training through the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence, providing hands-on education, workforce training, and dual-credit programs that equip students with industry-aligned credentials and career-ready skills. Her professional background includes leadership roles at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, Paris Junior College, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, along with public service experience with the United States Senate and the White House.
Recognized for her contributions to higher education and workforce advancement, she was named a 12 Under 12 honoree by Texas A&M University’s Association of Former Students, nominated for the Austin Regional Manufacturing Association Ally Award for workforce development, and is a graduate of Leadership Texas Women and the Texas Education Policy Fellowship Program through Texas Tech University.


Dr. Laura Marmolejo, Dean of Advanced Manufacturing at Austin Community College (ACC), brings more than two decades of experience driving workforce-focused education and industry partnerships.  She has held multiple leadership roles at the college, including Associate Dean, Department Chair, Head of Instruction for Continuing Education, where she consistently advanced student access and aligned programs with evolving industry needs.
Dr. Marmolejo successfully integrated credit and non-credit programs into flexible, stackable pathways resulting in scalable programs that not only prepare students for entry into high demand careers but also provide incumbent workers with rapid upskilling opportunities – ensuring a comprehensive educational experience for ACC students.   She helped grow enrollment in the advanced manufacturing academic programs at ACC, while building responsive non-credit training pathways.  Her leadership has reinforced the college’s role as a key driver of workforce innovation. 
Dr. Marmolejo brings over 10 years of industry experience as a manufacturing engineer, grounding her work in practical application and industry relevance.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering, and a Doctorate in Education.

Stacey Pfefferkorn serves as the Director of Business and Workforce Development for the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation, where she leads business retention and expansion and workforce development efforts while supporting business attraction and broader economic development initiatives. Stacey brings over a decade of experience in local government and economic development, with a career spanning municipal management, economic development, strategic planning, public policy, grants and community development. Prior to joining PCDC, she held positions with the City of Lampasas, Village of Salado and City of Round Rock, including serving as Economic Development Director for the City of Lampasas and Assistant Village Administrator for the Village of Salado. Throughout her career, Stacey has focused on building strong partnerships between businesses, local governments and community organizations. She believes economic development organizations play an important role as connectors - bringing together employers, education and workforce partners, local government and other resources to address business needs and support long term economic growth.

Stacey holds a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, with a focus on local government, economic development and finance, and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Texas State University.

Traci Hendrix serves as the Executive Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) at Pflugerville ISD. With over two decades of experience in education, Traci is dedicated to bridging the gap between K–12 learning and Central Texas's dynamic economy. In this role, she leads the strategic expansion of career, college, and military programs aligned directly with the region's most in-demand occupations and postsecondary advising to help students find their path to success. By fostering strong connections between classroom pathways and local industry needs, Traci works to empower students with market-relevant skills while building a robust, sustainable talent pipeline for local employers.