Advancing workforce participation and economic mobility for women and families
SkillHer Workforce Pathways is a Central Ohio pilot helping women prepare for career entry, re-entry, and advancement through practical career, digital, and financial skills.
SkillHer Workforce Pathways equips women with the practical tools, confidence, and workplace skills needed to step into employment, return after a gap, or move toward more stable careers.
OUR MISSION
SkillHer Workforce Pathways strengthens workforce participation by equipping women with practical career, digital, and financial skills needed for sustainable employment.OUR VISION
A workforce where skilled, motivated women can enter, re-enter, and advance in today’s economy.
What we do
1. Career Readiness
Résumés that actually get read
Interview practice + workplace communication
Confidence + norms (especially for first-time or re-entry)
2. Digital Skills
Job search + applications
Email, calendars, documents
Basic office tech used in real workplaces
3. Financial Capability
Paychecks, benefits, taxes (the basics people don’t get taught)
Budgeting for childcare/transportation
Credit foundations
4. Re-Entry Support
Employment gaps
Credential navigation
Career transitions after life disruptions
Why it matters
Central Ohio has open roles — and many women who want to work — but the bridge is missing. Career gaps, childcare logistics, technology changes, and confidence after disruption are real barriers. SkillHer builds that bridge with practical training and community-based support.
Regional Impact
Central Ohio employers continue to report talent shortages, while many residents face barriers to stable employment despite strong motivation and experience.
The Workforce Gap
Rapid changes in the economy, technology, and labor markets have left many capable workers sidelined — particularly women navigating career interruptions, transitions, or re-entry.
Our Role
SkillHer Workforce Pathways addresses this gap by aligning workforce preparation with real-world employer needs and practical skill-building.
How Partners Can Plug In
SkillHer Workforce Pathways is building its first pilot cohort in Central Ohio. We are actively seeking early partners who want to help shape practical, employer-informed workforce preparation for women re-entering or transitioning into work.
1. Refer Participants
Know women navigating career gaps, transitions, or re-entry?We welcome referrals from:
Community-based organizations
Schools and adult education programs
Faith communities
Public health providers
Social service agencies
If you serve women who are motivated but need structured career, digital, and financial preparation, SkillHer may be a strong fit.
2. Host a Workshop or Guest Session
We invite professionals to contribute practical insights into real-world workplace expectations.You can:
Lead a short session on hiring trends
Explain workplace norms in your industry
Share what resumes stand out in your field
Offer insight into HR processes
Industries of interest:
HR, healthcare, tech, trades, banking, public service, small business, logistics.This is not a keynote. It’s practical, real talk.
3. Offer Employer Insight
SkillHer is committed to grounding this pilot in real workplace expectations.Partners can:
Conduct mock interviews
Provide resume and application feedback
Offer short job-shadowing opportunities
Host small group workplace visits
Share hiring insights and common skill gaps
Direct exposure helps participants build confidence — and ensures our training reflects real hiring environments in Central Ohio.
4. Shape the Pilot & Workforce Alignment
As an early-stage initiative, we are intentionally building this program in collaboration with the community.Partners can:
Share workforce challenges and pipeline gaps
Identify critical digital or workplace skills
Provide feedback on curriculum direction
Contribute data or sector-specific insights
Your perspective helps ensure SkillHer remains responsive, practical, and aligned with regional workforce needs.
Interested in Building With Us?
SkillHer Workforce Pathways is currently forming its early partner network.If your organization would like to collaborate, refer participants, or contribute insight to the pilot, we welcome the opportunity to connect.
Complete our Partner Interest Form
Lola Malikova-Fraizer
Founder & Program Vision Lead
Lola Malikova-Frazier is a technology leader and public health professional based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings a systems-level perspective to workforce development, with deep experience in digital infrastructure, data, and organizational readiness.Through SkillHer Workforce Pathways, Lola contributes her expertise to help design practical, accessible pathways that support women navigating career entry, re-entry, and advancement in a changing economy.
Teresa Temu
Board Chair
Teresa Temu is a community leader and workforce-development strategist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings extensive experience in cross-cultural engagement, immigrant inclusion, and civic collaboration, with a focus on strengthening pathways to economic participation.As Board Chair of SkillHer Workforce Pathways, Teresa provides governance leadership and strategic direction, helping ensure the program remains community-rooted, mission-aligned, and responsive to regional workforce needs. Her work centers on building partnerships across public, nonprofit, and community sectors to support practical, inclusive workforce solutions.
