Advancing Arizona’s Education–to-Workforce Ecosystem: ABEC to Transfer Assets to Education Forward Arizona
Intentional asset transfer positions Education Forward Arizona as an aligned successor to ABEC’s mission, expanding the partnership between business and education communities in the state and fueling statewide efforts to develop a seamless education-to-workforce continuum.
Education Forward Arizona is honored to share that we and the Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC) plan to complete an asset transfer agreement, with closing anticipated by the end of June. Through this agreement, Education Forward Arizona will become the aligned successor to ABEC’s mission to connect education and business leaders and programming that increase student awareness of career opportunities. This agreement ensures that ABEC’s legacy continues while expanding the reach and long-term sustainability of a purposeful business and education partnership through a statewide platform, governance structure, and operational capacity.
For 24 years, ABEC has brought business and education leaders together around shared goals for Arizona’s students and the state’s future. This transition represents a deliberate, mission-driven passing of the torch designed to preserve ABEC’s legacy while positioning its work for even greater impact across the state.
Why This Transition Matters for Arizona
Arizona’s long-term economic health depends on improving education outcomes, building a strong talent pipeline, and collaboration between business and education to do both. ABEC has played a critical role in these efforts, helping to connect student success, career awareness, employer needs, and statewide talent development.
This new chapter aligns closely with Education Forward Arizona’s strategic direction to align education, workforce, and economic goals. By bringing ABEC’s work onto a broader statewide platform, the asset transfer will help deepen collaboration among K–12 systems, postsecondary institutions, and employers, and support students as they navigate education and training after high school.
Building on ABEC’s Legacy
ABEC’s board selected Education Forward Arizona as the right partner to carry its mission forward because of shared values, capacity to scale, and deep respect for relationships with school districts and employers across Arizona. This transition is not being framed as a merger; it is an intentional transfer designed to continue and amplify ABEC’s mission through a closely aligned partner.
As an aligned successor, Education Forward Arizona will:
- Build on ABEC’s longstanding relationships with school district leaders and business partners
- Champion early career awareness and stronger bridges between schools and employers
- Elevate the need for a statewide education–to-workforce ecosystem through systems-level advocacy and engagement
Education Forward Arizona’s board leadership has framed this agreement as a natural next step in ensuring that Arizona students and learners have every opportunity to be aware of and ready for the high-wage, high-skills jobs that the Arizona economy provides.
What’s Next for Partners and Members
In the weeks ahead, Education Forward Arizona will work closely with ABEC leadership and stakeholders to support a smooth transition. This includes creating new opportunities for engagement and advisory input as the work moves forward and sharing further details about how current and former ABEC members can stay involved.
Tracey Benson, ABEC President & CEO, will serve as an advisor to Education Forward Arizona throughout the transition.
Additional information about stakeholder engagement and future opportunities for member involvement will be communicated as the asset transfer progresses and is finalized.