CEO of CTE Foundation, Eli Weinzveg
CTE Foundation Presentation by Eli
Eli, CEO of the CTE Foundation, delivered the featured presentation. He began by clarifying
that CTE stands for Career Technical Education — not the football-related brain condition
— and emphasized that CTE programs are designed for all students, regardless of whether
they plan to attend college.
The CTE Foundation operates as a 501(c)3 intermediary nonprofit, working alongside
schools, businesses, and community organizations rather than within them. Its work is
organized into four areas:
1. Grants and Financial Support: Last year, the Foundation distributed nearly
$150,000 in grants to local schools, funding items such as a tire machine for
Petaluma Auto Shop and a van for Cloverdale High School.
2. Direct Student Support: The flagship initiative, Path to Purpose, is a county-wide
internship program for high school juniors and seniors. In its first year, it received
250 applications and placed approximately 105 students. In year two, applications
grew to 350, with approximately 140 placements.
3. Connections to Industry: The Foundation facilitates connections between
teachers and industry professionals, making it easier for educators to bring realworld expertise into the classroom.
4. Awareness and Advocacy: The Foundation actively promotes the value of CTE for
all students, encouraging schools and communities to celebrate diverse career
pathways including trades, healthcare, and technical fields.
Key data from the 24-25 Youth Truth Survey highlighted the urgency of the Foundation's
work:
• Just over 40% of high school students enroll in college after graduation
• Less than one-third of students feel prepared for their futures
• Only one in four students benefit from connected, work-based learning
opportunities
Path to Purpose outcomes from year one showed strong results:
• 71% of placed students were high school seniors
• 56% of placed students identified as Hispanic or Latinx, reflecting county
demographics
• 6 in 10 students could envision pursuing the career in which they were placed
• 1 in 4 students were hired as full-time employees by their host organizations
• 91% of students reported feeling more supported, connected, and prepared after
the program
Eli also showed a student-produced video featuring three interns from Santa Rosa City
Schools placed at Santa Rosa Community Health Center, Lima USA, and the County of
Sonoma, illustrating the personal and professional growth experienced through the
program
Eli, CEO of the CTE Foundation, delivered the featured presentation. He began by clarifying
that CTE stands for Career Technical Education — not the football-related brain condition
— and emphasized that CTE programs are designed for all students, regardless of whether
they plan to attend college.
The CTE Foundation operates as a 501(c)3 intermediary nonprofit, working alongside
schools, businesses, and community organizations rather than within them. Its work is
organized into four areas:
1. Grants and Financial Support: Last year, the Foundation distributed nearly
$150,000 in grants to local schools, funding items such as a tire machine for
Petaluma Auto Shop and a van for Cloverdale High School.
2. Direct Student Support: The flagship initiative, Path to Purpose, is a county-wide
internship program for high school juniors and seniors. In its first year, it received
250 applications and placed approximately 105 students. In year two, applications
grew to 350, with approximately 140 placements.
3. Connections to Industry: The Foundation facilitates connections between
teachers and industry professionals, making it easier for educators to bring realworld expertise into the classroom.
4. Awareness and Advocacy: The Foundation actively promotes the value of CTE for
all students, encouraging schools and communities to celebrate diverse career
pathways including trades, healthcare, and technical fields.
Key data from the 24-25 Youth Truth Survey highlighted the urgency of the Foundation's
work:
• Just over 40% of high school students enroll in college after graduation
• Less than one-third of students feel prepared for their futures
• Only one in four students benefit from connected, work-based learning
opportunities
Path to Purpose outcomes from year one showed strong results:
• 71% of placed students were high school seniors
• 56% of placed students identified as Hispanic or Latinx, reflecting county
demographics
• 6 in 10 students could envision pursuing the career in which they were placed
• 1 in 4 students were hired as full-time employees by their host organizations
• 91% of students reported feeling more supported, connected, and prepared after
the program
Eli also showed a student-produced video featuring three interns from Santa Rosa City
Schools placed at Santa Rosa Community Health Center, Lima USA, and the County of
Sonoma, illustrating the personal and professional growth experienced through the
program
