Francie Genz, CEO, Formation and Next Gen Co-Founder
Francie Genz is the co-founder and CEO of Formation and a leading expert in regional workforce and economic development strategy and practice. Over the past decade, she has partnered with more than 50 regions across the country to design and strengthen authentically industry-driven Next Gen Sector Partnerships. She has also advised state leaders in more than a dozen states on the enabling conditions needed for Next Gen success.
Francie co-authored the Next Gen Training Manual and Toolkit and has played a central role in shaping how workforce and economic development practitioners understand the power and potential of industry-led partnerships. She has developed curriculum, delivered training, and coached regional teams in the disciplined process of building high-impact partnerships. Her work has directly supported the launch and growth of dozens of sector partnerships across a wide range of industries.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from McGill University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Francie lives in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband and two sons.