Leslie Thompson Steps Into Expanded Role Leading Workforce and Childcare Initiatives

The First Tennessee Development District (FTDD) is expanding its workforce leadership structure to strengthen the programs, partnerships, and resources that connect Northeast Tennessee’s students, families, employers, and communities to opportunity.

As FTDD continues to grow its workforce and childcare initiatives, one leader will be taking on an expanded role to help guide this work across the region: Leslie Thompson, Director of Workforce & Childcare Initiatives.

Her experience and new responsibilities reflect two critical components of a strong regional workforce system: preparing individuals for opportunity while helping remove the barriers that can prevent them from accessing it.

For the past four years, Thompson has served as Grant Manager for the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Initiative, STRONG Families NETN. As the $25 million pilot grant transitions into a sustainable programmatic model, Thompson and her team will continue leading the successful STRONG Families initiative in partnership with Ballad Health. Through this work, hundreds of families have moved from dependence on TANF and other public assistance programs toward employment and self-sufficiency, strengthening household stability, contributing millions of dollars back into the regional economy, and creating new opportunities for future generations.

In her new role, Thompson will also lead FTDD’s broader workforce and childcare initiatives. A major focus will be advancing regional education and career readiness efforts, including the annual Education to Employment Summit and CareerQuest TN, in collaboration with local chambers of commerce, school superintendents, Career and Technical Education (CTE) directors, elected officials, workforce partners, and economic development leaders.

The Education to Employment Summit brings together leaders from education, business, workforce development, and community organizations to address workforce challenges and strengthen the connection between education and employment.

CareerQuest TN takes that connection directly to students. Each year, thousands of middle and high school students explore regional career sectors, engage with local employers, and develop valuable workplace skills. The program helps students better understand the opportunities available throughout Northeast Tennessee and the educational pathways that can help them achieve their career goals.

In addition, Thompson will represent FTDD through participation in quarterly Superintendent meetings, monthly Northeast Tennessee Technology Education Association (NTTEA) meetings, and Ballad Health’s Steering Committee.

Thompson will also oversee FTDD’s childcare and early childhood literacy initiatives, building partnerships among employers, school systems, childcare providers, and community organizations to address childcare challenges throughout the region. Supporting these efforts, Andria Smith, Childcare Special Projects Coordinator, will continue leading childcare grant development, project implementation, and collaboration with businesses, providers, government agencies, and schools to identify and address barriers that impact working families.

These initiatives may serve different populations and address different challenges, but they are all closely connected and woven throughout every facet of workforce development. From helping a student discover a future career pathway, to supporting a parent who needs affordable childcare or assistance overcoming employment barriers, to helping employers build and retain a skilled workforce, each effort contributes to a stronger regional economy and a higher quality of life for Northeast Tennessee residents.

Through Thompson's expanded role, FTDD will continue aligning education, workforce development, family support services, childcare resources, and employer engagement to create pathways to opportunity at every stage of life. As workforce needs continue to evolve, FTDD remains committed to bringing partners and resources together to expand opportunities, address barriers, and build a workforce system that supports students, families, employers, and communities across Northeast Tennessee for generations to come.