[Webinar] Unlocking Massachusetts' Untapped Talent: The Business Case for Clean Slate
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET
Businesses that fail to adapt their hiring and talent strategies risk falling behind, yet too many ready-to-work Bay Staters remain unnecessarily locked out of jobs due to an old criminal record. These barriers to employment and opportunity hurt workers and businesses alike.
Join an employer-focused webinar hosted by the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice to hear leading local and national executives make the business case for Clean Slate — a commonsense policy backed by Massachusetts businesses that would strengthen the workforce, fuel economic growth, and build safer communities.
Passed in 13 other states, this legislation would automate the sealing of already eligible criminal records for individuals who remain crime-free over time. With 1 in 5 Bay Staters carrying an old record, it would bring much-needed fairness to a broken system and present an untapped opportunity to expand the talent pool.
Attendees are invited to learn more about the Clean Slate Massachusetts Campaign, ask questions, and explore how to get involved. This event is invite only.
Meet Our Speakers
Jay Ash
President & CEO, Massachusetts Competitive Partnership
Jay Ash is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, a nonprofit group of CEOs from the state’s largest businesses, focused on strengthening the Massachusetts economy. He previously served as Secretary of Housing and Economic Development under Governor Charlie Baker, where he led efforts in job creation, business development, housing, and community revitalization. During his tenure, he helped pass major economic legislation, attracted GE to Boston, brought the PawSox to Worcester, and supported over 200 local projects and thousands of housing units.
Prior to that, Ash was Chelsea’s city manager for 14 years, overseeing significant growth in housing, employment, and commercial development, earning multiple awards for the city. His public service career began at the State House as staff director to the House Majority Leader. He has held leadership roles in various regional planning and policy organizations and was honored by Clark University with its Service to Society Award.
Nan Gibson
Executive Director, JPMorganChase PolicyCenter
Nan Gibson is Executive Director at the JPMorganChase PolicyCenter. In this role, she leads the Careers & Skills, Second Chance, and Economic Security Net issue portfolios, working to develop and advance evidence-based policy solutions to drive inclusive economic growth by bringing together global expertise, data, research, and philanthropic investments.
Nan works with policy, community, and business leaders to drive effective public policy solutions at all levels of government. She provides policy expertise across a broad range of economic issues and conducts outreach to key stakeholders to build unique partnerships for initiatives related to increasing labor force participation, workforce development, and economic security. She works closely with criminal justice reform leaders to advance policies that lower barriers to employment and create greater economic opportunity for individuals involved in the justice system. Nan developed the strategic framework for and co-leads the corporate recruitment and programmatic work of the Second Chance Business Coalition, a group of more than 50 large companies committed to implementing second chance employment practices and advancement strategies.
She previously served as Chief of Staff and Executive Director for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama Administration and as Executive Director of the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress. Prior to public service, Nan was a senior leader and strategist at the Economic Policy Institute, a leading think tank that conducts research on American living standards. She began her career covering Congress, politics, and presidential elections for The New Yorker magazine’s Washington columnist and for C-SPAN.