nexEO

Megan Healy, PhD - Moderator

Senior Vice President, Talent and Workforce Strategy

Megan Healy serves as the Senior Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where she leads efforts to make Virginia a top state for talent. She collaborates with regional partners, state agencies, and businesses to design and execute workforce strategies that meet employers' needs and drive economic growth. Megan oversees major initiatives such as the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, the Virginia Office of Education Economics (VOEE), Regional Talent Solutions and Business Outreach (RTSBO) and Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (VTOP). Her leadership is key to ensuring businesses have access to skilled workers while creating opportunities for economic mobility across the Commonwealth. Megan brings deep experience in workforce and talent development, higher education, and public policy. Before joining VEDP, she was Special Advisor to the President at George Mason University, where she cultivated strategic partnerships to support economic development, innovation, and workforce alignment. Previously, Megan made history as Virginia’s first Secretary of Labor, guiding policies on workforce development, employment benefits, occupational regulations, and worker protections. She played a central role in initiatives that linked Virginians to the skills and opportunities needed for success in the modern economy. A proud product of Virginia’s public education system, Megan holds degrees from Virginia Tech (B.S.), Virginia Commonwealth University (M.S.), and Old Dominion University (Ph.D.).

Cecelia Yates

CGI Intern

Cecilia Yates is a freshman in college pursuing a degree in Software Engineering and Computer Science. Her passion for technology began in her junior year of high school when a coding course sparked her interest in programming. With guidance from her school advisor, Cecilia applied for and secured an internship with CGI through EO. She began her internship the summer before her senior year of high school and has continued in the role for over a year. This hands-on experience has not only strengthened her skills but also confirmed her commitment to building a career in software development. 

Dewey Chapa

Laboratory Director - Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center

Dewey Chapa began his dental laboratory career with a summer lab tech job in 1993 and went on to graduate from the Dental Laboratory Technology program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) in 1997. He served as Lead Laboratory Instructor in Graduate Prosthodontics at UTHSCSA from 2003 to 2012 before joining the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry, where he was Lead Laboratory Technician and DDS Instructor from 2017 to 2025. In February 2025, Dewey was appointed Laboratory Director at the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center (AHCDC), where he continues to advance dental education and patient care through innovation in laboratory technology.

Zach Jacobs

Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of VA

Zach Jacobs currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, following his initial appointment by Governor Glenn Youngkin as Assistant Secretary of Education in September 2023. 

Before joining the administration, he led state and federal government relations for the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. He also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for two members of Congress, where he worked on a wide range of policy issues, including appropriations, agriculture, education, energy, national security, and transportation. 

Earlier in his career, Zach was appointed as a Legislative Analyst in the Office of Congressional Relations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture under Secretary Sonny Perdue. 

Zach was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley and is a proud first-generation college graduate. He earned a B.S. in Agribusiness Management and National Security and Foreign Affairs from Virginia Tech, and an M.A. in Strategic Communications from Liberty University. 

Stephanie Norris

Senior Research Analyst - Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Stephanie Norris is a senior research analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and serves as the associate director of the bank’s Community College Initiative. She leads data collection and analysis for the bank’s Survey of Community College Outcomes and conducts research and analysis on labor market conditions, workforce pathways, and regional economic trends. Prior to joining the Richmond Fed in 2020, Stephanie served as the health economist at the Virginia Department of Health. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Anne Marie Swanson, PMP

U.S. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team Director - CGI

Anne Marie Swanson is a dynamic leader dedicated to making a positive impact. As U.S. CSR Director she manages a team focused on strengthening communities through STEM access, environmental sustainability, and volunteerism. Anne's knack for innovation led to the creation of both CGI’s STEM@CGI and Bridge Program. To date, STEM@CGI has served more than 90,000 students through 650 events, and the Bridge Program has managed 50 plus interns. 

During her tenure as a College Recruiter at CGI, she successfully recruited 160 college graduates into professional roles. 

Anne has earned a Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification and has been recognized with numerous awards, including two CGI Bridge Builder awards and Acadiana’s Top 20 Under 40. Anne's dedication to community service is also evident through her current board service with Women of Wisdom and prior board service with Leadership Institute of Acadiana, as well as her support of many other community organizations. 

In her personal time, she loves trying to figure out the meaning of life with her husband Rick, spending quality time with her family and friends, reading, playing games, and hanging out with her five dogs.