Matt Cornett Joins CAEL as Director of Initiatives

INDIANAPOLIS – The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) is pleased to welcome Matt Cornett as director of initiatives. Cornett, a U.S. Army veteran, brings a wealth of workforce and economic development experience to his role with CAEL. 

“Matt has earned national acclaim for his success leveraging workforce programs to drive social mobility, something that is core to CAEL’s mission and vision,” said Jack Mills, senior vice president of partnerships, impact, and insights for CAEL. “Equitable development, which strengthens both household and regional economies, has been central to the many diverse partnerships he has forged and sustained.”

As director of initiatives at CAEL, Matt Cornett engages directly with workforce and economic development clients to help improve learning and career opportunities for adults. An expert in workforce development issues at the local, regional, and state levels, Cornett also has deep experience in career pathways, credentialing, economic development, and data analysis. 

In addition to his eight years of service in the U.S. Army, Cornett served as workforce programs manager at the ADWorks! workforce development board in Colorado, where he oversaw social investment and opportunity programs that generated more than $40 million in economic activity for the region. Before that, Cornett was project manager and liaison at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and he also served as an analyst with the U.S. Department of State. 

Cornett has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and Employment for developing and implementing the top-performing disaster recovery program in the western U.S. and one of the best programs nationally for social enterprises and social impact networks while growing their capabilities through employment opportunities in affected populations. In his spare time, Cornett is an active mentee in the Veterans Mentorship Program, American Corporate Partners (ACP-USA), and he enjoys fitness and sports. 

Cornett holds a bachelor’s degree in History/Political Science and an M.B.A. from the University of Northern Colorado.

About CAEL
Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations. By engaging with these stakeholders, we foster a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals and their communities thrive. Established in 1974, CAEL, a Strada Education Network affiliate, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization. Visit cael.org to learn more.