In this first of our 3-part series, Sam Caucci, Founder of 1Huddle, and Shelly Kurtz examine why organizations can no longer afford to overlook their incumbent workforce. As the skills gap widens and hiring slows, employers must rethink how they develop talent. Sam and Shelly discuss the untapped potential of the two-thirds of American workers without a college degree, the role of nontraditional pathways to skill development, and what it will take to turn skills-based talent strategies into reality.
This interview is the first in a 3-part series. Sign up today for email updates on future episodes.
Meet Our Speakers
Sam Caucci
Sam Caucci is the Founder and CEO of 1Huddle, a tech company that helps companies find, train and retain workers using science-backed, quick-burst mobile games. Sam has managed and coached sales and leadership teams for publicly held, private sector, and franchised companies across the globe and has designed and delivered talent development programs for over 500 global brands including UEFA, Loews Hotels, ESPN, U.S. Air Force, Nike, Novartis, Madison Square Garden, Major League Soccer, YUM Brands, and more.
Sam served as a member of the Workforce Innovation and Economic Policy Committees for the Biden-Harris Presidential Campaign. He is a board member for the City of Newark’s Workforce Development Board. Sam is the author of the bestselling book Wasted Talent: How Greed, Exploitation and the Promise of the Future of Work Failed Workers and a Plan to Fix It. He has been featured in several prominent media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNN, CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News, The Huffington Post, ESPN, Yahoo Finance, Forbes and Bloomberg.
He lives in New Jersey with his wife Jahmila and daughter Nico.
Shelly Cano Kurtz
Shelly Cano Kurtz is a professor in the School of Business at Pacific Lutheran University, where she is dedicated to preparing students for meaningful, adaptable careers in an ever-evolving workforce. With a focus on workforce development, organizational leadership, and applied business practices, Shelly brings both academic insight and real-world perspective to her teaching and community engagement.
Her work centers on bridging the gap between education and employment—helping students, employers, and communities align skills with opportunity. She is especially passionate about fostering inclusive pathways into the workforce, supporting career readiness, and equipping future leaders with the tools to navigate change.
Through her research, teaching, and partnerships with regional organizations, Shelly contributes to conversations on how higher education can respond to shifting labor market demands and create sustainable, people-centered workforce solutions.
