At the NOVAworks Launch Lab, we’re redefining workforce development in Silicon Valley through bold innovation, industry insights, and a commitment to breaking down barriers.

By incubating and piloting transformative programs, we address emerging talent needs and create equitable pathways to economic success.

Through direct collaboration with job seekers and our business community, we test and scale workforce solutions that meet our region’s rapidly evolving job market. We aim to advance economic mobility and build equitable, high-quality career pathways that adapt to the needs of both workers and employers across San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara counties.

The Launch Lab empowers our region to tackle our most urgent workforce challenges, particularly for underserved communities, acting as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth. 

By developing, testing, and investing in new workforce models, we aim to develop strategies that respond directly to the real-world needs of our local communities.

Marléna is driven by a simple mission: strengthen communities by putting people to work, one at a time.

As President of the Launch Lab and leader of NOVAworks, she advances innovative career pathways that serve both employers and the talented workforce they depend on. A 2024 Woman of Influence and Stanford Futures Project Fellow, Marléna brings bold thinking and practical action to the future of workforce development.

NOVAworks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization • IRS Employer ID 94-3055138