Lights on Afterschool: Making Career Paths Visible

Sponsored by RPM International

part of a national celebration of afterschool programs

Join us on Thursday, October 22, for an engaging, action-oriented conversation about how out-of-school time programs, employers, and community partners can work together to expand young people’s exposure to careers and strengthen Northeast Ohio’s talent pipeline. This event is free and open to the public.

Event Details

Advance registration is required.

Thursday, October 22, 2026

• 4:30–5:00 p.m. Arrival and Check-in
• 5:00–6:00 p.m. Program and Guided Discussion
• 6:00–7:00 p.m. Reception and Networking

Tucker Ellis LLP
Lake Room, Tenth Floor
950 Main Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113

Young people cannot plan for careers they have never encountered.

Out-of-school time programs create opportunities for students to meet professionals, explore workplaces, develop transferable skills, and discover possibilities beyond their immediate experience.

Featured speakers include David Hutchinson, founder and executive director of the Rising Stars Program; Laurie Pogel, who leads Swagelok’s Workforce Development team; Malory LaRocca, Talent Pipeline Supervisor at Swagelok; and a Y.O.U. alum who will share how an out-of-school time experience influenced their career path.

Guests will then take part in guided conversations about practical, accessible ways employers, youth-serving organizations, and community partners can help young people see, explore, and prepare for future opportunities.

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David Hutchinson

David Hutchinson is the founder and executive director of the Rising Stars Program. In this role, he works closely with industry partners to provide training, educational sessions and networking opportunities to youth and minority-owned businesses. In addition to leading Rising Stars, he specializes in deep energy retrofit development at Tremco CPG.

With more than 15 years of experience in the building industry, Hutchinson brings a robust background in building science. Committed to creating sustainable and diverse solutions for the future of the building industry, he is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and corporate communications from Penn State University.

Laurie Pogel

Laurie Pogel leads the Workforce Development team at Swagelok in Solon, OH. With a background in Chemical Engineering, an MBA, and a career that has spanned manufacturing leadership and workforce development, Laurie is passionate about helping people discover and grow meaningful careers. Today, she and her team lead programs that support onboarding, technical training, and career development for employees across the organization. She is passionate about connecting education and industry to create opportunities for the next generation of workers and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Deaconess Foundation.

Malory LaRocca

Malory LaRocca is a talent acquisition and early career development leader currently serving as Talent Pipeline Supervisor at Swagelok in Solon, Ohio. As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about creating pathways to opportunity and helping young talent launch meaningful careers. With extensive experience in campus recruiting, workforce development, diversity initiatives, and early talent program management, she has led the design and execution of recruiting strategies that strengthen talent pipelines and expand opportunities for emerging professionals.

Prior to her current role, Malory served in early talent and diversity-focused leadership positions at Swagelok, The NRP Group, and Nestlé USA, where she developed internship, co-op, apprenticeship, and early career programs while building diverse talent pools across multiple business functions. Beyond her professional work, she serves as Executive Vice President of the Weatherhead Women in Business graduate student organization at Case Western Reserve University. She holds Bachelor's in Labor and Employment Relations and Psychology, Master's in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State University and is currently pursuing her MBA at Case Western Reserve University.

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Lights On Afterschool is the nation’s annual celebration of afterschool programs and the vital role they play in helping young people thrive, supporting working families, and strengthening communities.

Lights on Afterschool is part of Cleveland’s Thriving Youth Series.
The Thriving Youth Series brings together professionals, students, and thought leaders in the field of out-of-school time programming. The series will empower and inspire participants to enhance their programs and make a lasting impact on youth development. The series is a collaboration between the City of Cleveland, Open Doors Academy, Starting Point, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, University Hospitals, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Scores, STEM Playbook, LGBT Community Center, Youth Connect CLE, Advantage Cleveland.