Dr. Christopher Laney

Dr. Christopher Laney is the Vice President of Social Impact and a Labor Economist at Lightcast, where he specializes in education, workforce development, economic mobility, and using labor market data to create a more equitable workforce within communities. Laney leads initiatives within Lightcast’s Social Impact division, working alongside national nonprofits and foundations to develop strategies for workforce transformation and systemic change. His efforts focus on preparing communities for the future of work and building pathways that promote greater social and economic equity.

Throughout his career at Lightcast, Laney has collaborated with state governments on the development of policies related to education and labor markets. He has also partnered with a variety of stakeholders on key projects related to legislative priorities, including credentials of value, emerging industries, sector analysis, and the economic impact of workforce and career and technical education (CTE) programs. His work has spanned several states, including Indiana, Florida, Maryland, and Mississippi.

Before joining Lightcast, Laney was a workforce development practitioner in Florida, where he led the nation’s largest high school student exploration conference. He also developed legislative priorities for the local workforce board and brought together community stakeholders statewide to address education and workforce challenges. Laney’s research, including his dissertation on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and its impact on the economic mobility of disenfranchised young adults, has influenced both policy and practice. He also served as the lead researcher for the State of Students report in Florida from 2015 to 2020.