On a night filled with purpose and possibility, JVS brought together more than 300 supporters, partners, employers, and community champions for Envision: Meeting the Moment, our annual gala that supports our workforce programs across California. The evening was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together around the shared belief that everyone deserves a real shot at economic opportunity. 

Guests at Envision were treated to a cocktail and social hour prior to the event program.

Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, JVS CEO, opened the evening by grounding the audience in the urgency of the moment—a rapidly shifting labor market, the growing influence of AI on the workforce, and the communities who stand to be left behind without bold, intentional action. Her message was clear: JVS is not waiting for the future of work to arrive. We are helping shape it. 

“At JVS, we believe this: Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not,” Countryman-Quiroz explained. “Closing that gap is not charity. It is strategy. It is economic necessity. It is how we build a future that actually works.”

From left: JVS Enrollment & Outreach Coordinator Andrew Giese greets guests before the program; JVS CEO Lisa Countryman-Quiroz welcomes the crowd; former JVS CEO Abby Snay applauds during an alumni video.

Erran Berger, Chief Technology Officer at LinkedIn and JVS Board President, echoed that call to action, speaking to the power of skills-based hiring and the role that organizations like JVS play in connecting jobseekers with real pathways to economic mobility. 

“If we get this moment right, we do more than respond to change,” Berger shared. “We shape a future where opportunity is not limited to a few, but available to everyone. The future starts here, with all of us.”

From left: JVS Board President Erran Berger calls the crowd to meet the moment; JVS staff at the end of the program; Shad Ahmed from Anthropic speaks about AI’s role in workforce development.

Having followed JVS’s work for years, Shad Ahmed, Economic Mobility Lead at Anthropic, spoke to the organization’s track record of innovation and its understanding that lasting economic mobility requires collaboration.

That shared belief led Anthropic to partner with JVS on the Economic Mobility AI Accelerator, an initiative through which JVS convened nearly 20 peer organizations across California to explore, build, and learn together using AI together.

One of the most powerful elements of the evening was hearing directly from the people doing the work and the people whose lives have been transformed by it. 

From left: JVS dental alum Melissa Gurule shares her story on stage; a guest congratulates JVS alum Shamar on his video spotlight; Katherine Tate with EBMUD introduces an alumni spotlight video

Melissa Gurule, JVS Foundations in Dental Assisting and Registered Dental Assistant alum, took the stage to share her personal journey—a testament to hard work, dedication, and the difference that the right support at the right time can make.  

“There was a moment early on when I was ready to quit,” Gurule recalled. “I was convinced I was done. And that’s when someone at JVS, Nikki Freadhoff, stepped in. She believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. That is what JVS does. The support is endless. And because of that support, my world has expanded in ways I never imagined.”

A video greeting from California State Assemblymember Catherine Stefani brought a policy lens to the conversation, underscoring the importance of community-based workforce organizations in the broader economic ecosystem of the Bay Area. 

Katherine Tate, Senior Human Resources Analyst at East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD), spoke to the value of partnerships between employers and workforce development organizations—and what it looks like in practice to hire employees who are ready to build careers. 

“JVS doesn’t just prepare people for jobs,” Tate explained. “They surround people with the support they need to truly succeed. JVS has helped us build a stronger, more inclusive hiring pipeline and connect with talented candidates who are ready not just to get the job, but to grow and stay.” 

Envision also marked the debut of two new alumni videos, each offering a behind-the-scenes look at JVS program graduates who have built meaningful careers in vital industries: 

These stories aren’t just inspiring. They demonstrate what becomes possible when people have access to the training, mentorship, and support they need to succeed. 

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award to Abby Morales, JVS Medical Assisting alum. This award honors a JVS graduate who exemplifies the spirit of perseverance and possibility. Abby’s journey and accomplishments moved the room and served as a powerful reminder of why this work matters. 

From left: Abby’s family members watch her deliver her speech; Abby Morales accepts the 2026 Alumni Achievement Award from JVS Participant Success Coach Jan Magat; JVS Director of Individual Giving and Special Events Sarah Gordon applauds Abby’s speech.

“JVS gave me more than a certificate,” Abby shared. “They provided structure, support and confidence to walk into a career I had been working towards for years. After completing my clinical internship, I was proud to be hired full-time at Kaiser Permanente in 2023.” 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors, donors, and guests, the evening raised over $350,000 for JVS’s career-changing workforce programs, employer partnerships, and policy advocacy work. Every dollar raised helps provide jobseekers with the training, career pathways, and support they need to thrive in the California workforce. 

If you weren’t able to give during the event, there’s still time to support this work. Your generosity helps JVS provide the tools to empower Californians to build lasting economic mobility for themselves and their families.

Guests mingle during the dessert reception.

Couldn’t make it? Want to experience it all over again? The full  Envision: Meeting the Moment playlist is now available—including speaker remarks, alumni videos, and the Award presentation. 

Browse the full photo gallery to see the faces, the moments, and the community that made this night unforgettable. 

Special thanks to our event sponsors for making Envision: Meeting the Moment possible. 

Envision will return to San Francisco. Stay tuned for details and invitations coming early next year. 

Want to stay connected with JVS? Sign up for our supporter newsletter or follow us on social media @jvsbayarea for the latest stories, programs, and opportunities.