21st Century Job Skills Project
Partner With Us American flag

About Us

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in Alexandria, VA. We exist because the AI and robotics revolution is arriving faster than our institutions are prepared for. Our job is to make sure every young American comes out ahead.

Our mission

To ensure every American public school student has a viable pathway to a true living-wage career in this evolving economy.

Simple to say. Ambitious to deliver. Essential to attempt.

The AI and robotics revolution will eliminate some jobs, modify others, and create new roles requiring new skills. Without deliberate action, large numbers of students risk entering adulthood unprepared for the careers ahead — deepening inequality and straining social cohesion.

We see this era differently: as a unique opportunity to expand economic mobility and grow the middle class. If we act now in communities across the nation, we can systemically prepare all young Americans to thrive — and ensure people from all backgrounds share in the benefits of this new economy.

Leadership

John D. Gardner

Founder & Director · Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Jack Gardner served in command positions in Europe, Latin America, Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and across the United States. In his final assignment he was Deputy Commander of U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany. A native of Columbus, Ohio and a lifelong Ohio State football fan, he lives in Alexandria, Virginia. He founded the 21st Century Job Skills Project to help all public school students achieve a true living-wage career, and is currently coordinating the organization's pilot program in Haverhill, MA. He is also co-founder of Luminary LLC, a software company developing AI tools for real-time access to practical knowledge.

Jean-Paul Duvivier

Investigator & Compliance Officer

"J.P." is a financial crime compliance expert working with clients on complex sanctions matters, AI solutions for compliance, and interactive training workshops. He previously managed counter financial crime programs at Deutsche Bank AG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and financial institutions in the U.S. and abroad. He served 12 years with the U.S. Treasury Department as a Compliance Officer, Sanctions Investigator, Senior Policy Advisor, and Diplomat, with overseas postings in China, Germany, and Colombia. He holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Bruce Mamont

Engineering Leader · Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.)

A retired engineering manager at The Boeing Company, Bruce led software development teams across the U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker, C-130 Avionics Modernization, Joint Tactical Radio System, U.S. Army Future Combat Systems, and National Missile Defense programs. As an Army officer he led teams of software engineers and scientists developing AI simulations and automated intelligence-analysis systems, and served in a variety of infantry assignments. He now works as assistant chief instructor at a flight school north of Seattle and holds advanced degrees in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics.

Thomas Meyer

Corporate Strategy Leader

Thomas is a senior director of corporate strategy at Cambridge Associates in Boston. Previously a management consultant at Bain & Co., he focused on growth and go-to-market strategy for software and industrials firms. Earlier in his career he co-founded the Independence Project, a nonprofit employment program for veterans with disabilities. He chairs the investment committee at Dwight Hall at Yale, the Center for Public Service. Thomas earned his MBA at MIT, a Fox Fellowship at the University of Cambridge, and a BA at Yale University.

Steven Pennington

President & COO · 40-Year U.S. Air Force Veteran

Steven is President and COO of Pennington Professional Property Management LLC. A 40-year Air Force veteran, he last served as the Air Force Headquarters Chief of the Bases, Ranges and Airspace Division and Executive Director for the DoD Policy Board on Federal Aviation at the Pentagon. His portfolio included integrating remotely piloted aircraft into the national airspace system, facilitating global civil/military aviation integration, liaising with the FAA, and leading Air Force energy operations. He entered active duty in 1977 through ROTC at the University of North Carolina and held numerous command and operational leadership positions, including Squadron Command and Air Force Operations Group Commander.

Help us reinvigorate the American Dream.

This is arguably the greatest domestic challenge of the next two decades — and one of its greatest opportunities. We'd love to talk with you.

Partner With Us