On Saturday, April 18, Literacy in Community’s (LINC) Chief Programs Officer, Laura Walsh joined an all star speaker lineup at the 2026 SOMOS, Inc. New York Conference in Albany for a timely panel discussion: Workforce to Careforce: Advancing Equitable Childcare Solutions for New York’s Working Families.

This dynamic panel was featured during session three in the legislative office building, thanks to the sponsorship of Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila.

The speakers on the panel included:

• Moderator: Heather Briccetti Mulligan, President & CEO, The New York Business Council
• Simone Hawkins: Deputy Chancellor, Division of Early Childhood Education, New York City Public Schools
• Gene Lanzoni: Head of Enterprise Content, The Guardian Life Insurance Company
• Theresa M Roma, Ed.D., Head of Insurance Solutions, Wellthy
• Ingrid Matias Chungata, Executive Director, Nuestros Niños Day Care Center
• Ramon Peguero, President & CEO, The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families
  

“I was incredibly honored to have the opportunity to speak on the panel: Workforce to Careforce: Advancing Equitable Childcare Solutions for New York’s Working Families during the 40th anniversary of the SOMOS, Inc. New York Conference. With the sponsorship of Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Assemblywoman Maritza Davila, I was able to advocate for the quality of early childhood programs and the urgent need to make early literacy synonymous with early childhood.” Laura Walsh, Chief Program Officer, LINC.

The Somos, Inc. New York Conference is where leaders, advocates, partners, and community members from across the state and nation gather to collaborate, connect, and set the course for the future of our communities, and LINC is proud to have a voice at this crucial time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the conference and was aptly named, “Del Momento al Movimiento – Lead, Unite, Transform,” and called our leaders to move beyond seizing the moment to build a powerful, lasting movement for progress and justice.

For more information about Literacy in Community, please visit our website at www.lincnyc.org or contact us at communications@lincnyc.org.