The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to expand learning opportunities for adults. CAEL works to remove policy and organizational barriers to learning opportunities, identifies and disseminates effective practices, and delivers value-added services.
Amy Sherman, Associate Vice President for Policy and Strategic Alliances
email: asherman@cael.org
phone: 312-499-2635
Amy Sherman is Associate Vice President for Policy and Strategic Alliances at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL). Her work focuses on increasing access to adult learning and improving its quality. In this role, Amy engages in policy research and analysis, coalition-building, advocacy, and technical assistance to state and federal policy leaders. She is leading CAEL's national initiative to advance Lifelong Learning Accounts (LiLAs), which are employer-matched educational accounts to finance lifelong learning for working adults. Amy is a national and international speaker on issues related to lifelong learning and the workforce.
Prior to joining CAEL, Amy was Executive Director of the Manufacturing Workforce Development Project (MWDP), a project of the Chicago Federation of Labor funded by the U.S. Dept. of Labor. The MWDP built a consortium of influential business and labor leaders, educational providers, and public officials to identify the gaps in the current workforce development system. It published a well-received report with recommendations on how to improve the regional system in the manufacturing sector.
Amy earned her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law, and went on to serve as a dean of students. She practiced in the area of employment law. Early in her career, Amy managed the emergency services department at the University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago and served as a financial caseworker at Cook County Hospital.
Pamela Tate, President and CEO
email: ptate@cael.org
Joining CAEL in 1987, Pam has become nationally and internationally recognized for her work in facilitating workforce education and training programs among educational institutions, business, labor and government and for her efforts in assisting colleges and universities to develop systems of Prior Learning Assessment and quality assurance in adult learning programs.
In 1996, Pam was acknowledged for a career devoted to expanding lifelong educational opportunities for adults with the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa, conferred by SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, New York. As a presenter, she is regularly sought out for her vision and insights into adult learning and workforce development and their vital relationship to the future of the economy. Born in Davenport, Iowa, Pam grew up in East Moline, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign with masters degrees in both English and journalism. She completed her doctoral coursework at the Annenberg School of Communications, University of Pennsylvania.
Gabi Zolla, Vice President for Programs, Research and Policy
email: gzolla@cael.org
Gabi joined CAEL in July 2000 as the Director of the President’s Office. Gabi manages the President’s Office, and oversees several signature CAEL projects, including the WorkforceChicago2.0 Initiative. Before joining CAEL, she was the Communications Manager for the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women. She has an extensive background in philanthropy, having worked at both the Ford Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Gabi holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Knox College and a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law.