Stacy Delapenha is a first-generation Jamaican American from Silver Spring, MD, currently serving as Vice President, Apprenticeship and Employer Engagement at Strada Education Foundation. In this role, she leads efforts to expand work-based learning opportunities—including apprenticeships and paid internships—by helping employers adopt these models at scale. She is dedicated to ensuring that all learners can connect their education to meaningful career pathways.

Stacy’s career began in the hospitality industry after earning her bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Cornell University. She spent six years with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, working across sales and marketing roles in Washington, DC and internationally. Her time in hospitality instilled in her a strong foundation in customer-centric strategy and business development.

Motivated by a passion for talent development and workforce equity, Stacy pursued an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Organizational Effectiveness. She also earned a master’s degree in education policy from Penn’s Graduate School of Education, deepening her understanding of the importance of public-private sector partnerships in driving workforce development and economic mobility.

Before joining Strada, Stacy worked in strategic human resources roles with M&T Bank, focused on developing equitable talent initiatives across the organization. Now, in her role at Strada, she is committed to building partnerships with employers, fostering economic mobility, and ensuring that work-based learning is accessible to all.