Patrick Combs is vice president of the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning at JFF. He leads the development, scaling, and promotion of effective programs that lead to equitable economic advancement.

His skills and areas of expertise include:

• Strategy development and implementation
• Workforce and economic development
• Partnership and coalition building
• Employer-led, community-driven talent solutions

Before joining JFF, Combs was the interim CEO and chief program officer for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, where he led the second-largest local workforce area in the country while helping to drive equity through programs such as the Chicago Community Health Response Corps.

Educational background:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance and international business, University of Maryland
• Law degree, Fordham University School of Law