ITHACA, N.Y. – Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) has announced it has hired Danielle Szabo as Director of Workforce Innovation. In her new role, Szabo will be responsible for addressing workforce needs of key sector businesses in Ithaca and Tompkins County by designing and implementing initiatives to improve career awareness and creating pathways and programs to support area employers.
IAED President Heather McDaniel shared, “Danielle will be a wonderful addition to IAED. Her experience, skillset, and passion for workforce development will make her a great asset to the IAED team.” McDaniel added, “I am confident she will do great things for Ithaca and Tompkins County employers.”
Szabo brings nearly 15 years of workforce development experience to her new role. Her previous experience focused on industry partnerships in manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. She also has a background in working with local employers in the Central New York Region to develop more efficient hiring and onboarding processes that resulted in higher retention rates and overall system changes. Szabo formally served as interim executive director and economic development specialist at Cayuga Economic Development Agency (CEDA) and the director of programming for the Work Train Initiative at Centerstate CEO.
Szabo began her education studying Global and International Development at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and completed her studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego earning a bachelor’s degree in Global and International Relations. She holds several professional certificates from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and has served on a variety of boards such as the Cayuga County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), the Auburn Industrial Development Authority (AIDA), Cayuga Cortland Workforce Development Board, Central New York International Business Alliance (CNYIBA), and Westminster Manor Senior Living Community.
Szabo resides in Marcellus, NY with her husband and their two dogs. In her free time, she and her husband operate their farm-to-table catering company Scratch Farmhouse Catering.
About Ithaca Area Economic Development
Ithaca Area Economic Development is a private non-profit economic development organization serving Ithaca and Tompkins County. It is New York State’s first and only Accredited Economic Development Organization, one of only 71 across North America. Since 1964, Ithaca Area Economic Development has worked to grow, retain, and attract companies that provide high-quality employment opportunities and strives to create a supportive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit IthacaAreaED.org.
About Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency
The Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA) is a public authority created by the Tompkins County Legislature. It is guided by federal and state law as well as policies established by its Board of Directors. The mission of the TCIDA is to deliver economic incentives to business and industry to diversify and strengthen Tompkins County’s tax base and enhance community vitality by supporting job creation, business and industrial development, and community revitalization.
