U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker visited Stanford University Wednesday to engage with the nation’s future technology, science, business, and government leaders. A proud graduate of Stanford’s J.D. and M.B.A. degree programs, Secretary Pritzker had the opportunity to talk with students in the graduate-level Practical Policy and Politics class and after participate in an armchair discussion hosted by the Stanford Distinguished Careers Institute (DCI). 

During the Practical Policy and Politics class, Secretary Pritzker discussed the global economy, the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and lessons learned as Secretary. She and the students discussed the economic case for TPP’s passage as well as extensive protections for the digital economy. Additionally, they examined the agreement’s strategic implications, whereby TPP will knit the U.S. closer together with its allies and enhancing security and stability across the entire Asia-Pacific. 
At the Distinguished Career Institute event, Secretary Pritzker and DCI founder Philip Pizzo, MD, discussed her career and life path, as well as changing demographics of the U.S. and world and its implications for the future. The Distinguished Careers Institute offers experienced professionals the opportunity to come to Stanford a yearlong residential program in order to deepen their knowledge. 

She emphasized that, as older Americans stay healthier and more productive, business leaders must be flexible in creating pathways for older workers to acquire new skills, new certification, and new jobs. She noted that when it comes to training the workforce for jobs in the digital economy, government must follow the same models that have proved effective in other sectors. As the voice of the business community, Commerce has created a “Skills for Business” agenda through which the Department has cemented its role in workforce training. This agenda ensures workforce training is employer-led, brings the voice of business to federal policy-making, and strengthens regional economies by supporting local solutions to talent pipeline challenges.