Coming in 2027
Over the last year, our team at STRIVE has spent meaningful time meeting with representatives from across Houston’s nonprofit, corporate, philanthropic and government sectors who shared insights into the region’s workforce development ecosystem and opportunities for collaboration.
We’re proud to share that STRIVE Houston will launch in spring 2027!
Bert Ruiz, Founding Executive Director of STRIVE Houston
Announcing our Founding Executive Director
Bert Ruiz joins STRIVE as the Founding Houston Executive Director, bringing more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, organizational development and talent management.
Throughout his career, Bert has focused on strengthening mission-driven organizations, developing leaders, and expanding opportunities for individuals and communities.
“Bert has spent his career building up leaders and opening doors for others, and he brings that same commitment to every corner of this community. He’s been a trusted partner to District J, and I’ve seen him show up for Houston time and again.
Houston’s economy is evolving fast, and STRIVE is the right partner to meet that moment, connecting residents to real opportunity and employers to the talent they need. With Bert at the helm, I’m confident STRIVE Houston will make a lasting difference for our neighbors.”
Bert Ruiz's community leadership includes serving as President of Braeburn Super Neighborhood Council #30 and Chair of the District J Patrol Task Team, where he helped lead the launch of a community safety initiative in southwest Houston.
Building the Workforce for a Stronger Houston
In conversation with community members, we've learned that while there is high demand for talent in Houston and a robust workforce ecosystem with exceptional local providers, even more proven solutions are needed to ensure that local jobseekers facing the highest barriers to employment, including justice system involvement, housing insecurity and more, can access family-sustaining careers.
Partnering closely with regional nonprofits, community colleges and employer partners, STRIVE Houston will deliver the training, career coaching, job placement assistance and barrier reduction support needed to help these individuals transition into high-opportunity career pathways.
STRIVE Director of New Market Expansion, Nirmala Singh and STRIVE Strategy & Growth Project Manager Caela Murphy with STRIVE President & CEO Phil Weinberg at a partner meeting in Houston.
“From the earliest stages of STRIVE’s exploration in Houston, we saw an organization genuinely committed to understanding our region before trying to serve it. Bringing them into the Greater Houston Partnership’s Healthcare Career Pathways Working Group gave STRIVE direct access to the employers, educators and workforce partners shaping pathways into high-demand healthcare roles. Our ecosystem got a chance to see firsthand what STRIVE can bring to the table as we tackle regional workforce challenges and employer needs.”
“At Memorial Hermann, we believe healthy communities start with opportunity. STRIVE’s work preparing people for life-changing careers aligns with how we want to see our neighbors thrive. We’re excited to see STRIVE take root in Houston, and we look forward to welcoming STRIVE graduates to our team and the difference they will make for our patients, our workforce and our city.”
Career Path
STRIVE Houston will launch our signature Career Path program in the spring of 2027 with an initial focus on healthcare careers, drawing from our deep experience in partnering with leading hospital systems across the nation as we support the fastest-growing sector in the Greater Houston region. Over time, we will deliver additional pathway programs in other high-opportunity sectors in the region, such as logistics, construction and manufacturing.
Ateyra (left), a STRIVE Atlanta 2024 alum, speaks about her struggle getting a job and how STRIVE offered support when she needed it most.
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Thanks to our early supporters in Houston
We are grateful to the many local leaders and organizations who have provided invaluable insight, guidance and support
“When we met with the STRIVE team, it was clear they had done their homework, engaging with stakeholders across the region and understanding both the opportunity and the gaps in Houston’s workforce landscape. STRIVE’s model, which is built in partnership with employers and connects to credential pathways at our regional community colleges, helps people earn credentials of value that lead to family-sustaining wages and real career advancement. It’s precisely the work our postsecondary success strategy was designed to support.
Our funding, paired with the national capital STRIVE is bringing to this launch, will help lay the foundation for STRIVE’s success in Houston and expand access to the careers that drive long-term economic mobility. We’re proud to help make that happen.”
Pathway to Possible
STRIVE is a national workforce development solution for people ready and motivated for a new start. We offer tuition-free skills and job-readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching. We create partnerships with employers that result in pathways to life-changing careers for individuals while helping employers close critical gaps in their workforces.
For more than 40 years, we have provided a proven pathway to possible by helping people realize educational, career, and life pursuits.
Support our growth and impact in Houston.