The Future Of WorkPART ONE: Reshaping Altadena Through Community-Led Recovery Episode 172
Altadena’s recovery from the Eaton Fire is already reshaping the region’s future of work. With 6,000 homes lost, nearly $3 billion in public infrastructure to rebuild, and thousands of property owners still waiting to begin, the scale of the challenge is immense.
This episode features Part One of the first webinar in our series called “Public Interest Rebuild and Community Delivery Systems” from June 4th, 2026. This episode explores what recovery looks like on the ground, the funding gaps facing homeowners and renters, the coordination required across government, nonprofits, philanthropy, education, and business, and the workforce needed to rebuild homes, infrastructure, commercial corridors, and community services.
This discussion looks beyond traditional construction roles - architects, inspectors, permit specialists, project managers, outreach workers, mental health professionals, and workers trained in technology-enabled building will all be part of Altadena’s recovery. As the community reimagines its future, education and workforce programs have an opportunity to help local residents take part in building what comes next.
You’ll Learn:
Why residents need a seat at the table when priorities, funding, workforce strategies, and rebuilding plans are being shaped
How PCC can help build a local workforce pipeline for traditional trades, technical construction roles, infrastructure projects, and technology-enabled homebuilding
Why Altadena’s rebuild presents an opportunity to rethink commercial corridors, public infrastructure, energy systems, and the city’s future workforce
Our Speakers:
Anish Saraiya
Director of Altadena Recovery, Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
Anish Saraiya serves as the Director of Altadena Recovery for Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. In this role, he leads community-focused initiatives centered around public infrastructure and public policy, aimed at enhancing resilience, rebuilding and recovery of the unincorporated Altadena community.
LinkedIn - @anishsaraiya & @lacountybos
Instagram - @lacountybos
Website - https://bos.lacounty.gov/
José A. Gómez Ph.D.
President, Pasadena City College
Dr. Gómez brings a rare blend of community college roots, higher education leadership, public-sector experience, and regional partnership-building, making him a powerful voice on how PCC can help connect students, employers, and recovery partners to the workforce opportunities emerging from Altadena’s rebuild.
LinkedIn: @joseagomez
Website: https://pasadena.edu/about/president/
Anders Corey
President and Chief Executive Officer, Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation (ARRC)
Anders Corey offers a front-line perspective on Altadena’s rebuild, including how homeowners, business owners, commercial corridors, natural spaces, and private sector partners can work together to support long-term community recovery.
LinkedIn: @anderscorey
Website: https://www.arrcaltadena.org
Freddy Sayegh
Founder, Altadena Coalition
Freddy Sayegh brings a deeply grounded, resident-first perspective on Altadena’s recovery, having helped organize more than 125 fire-related events, workshops, outreach efforts, and recovery programs since the Eaton Fire. Attendees will hear from someone working directly in community advocacy, rebuilding support, trauma-informed recovery, and equitable resident-centered action.
LinkedIn - @freddysayegh
Instagram - @thealtadena
Bryan Wong
CEO, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Bryan Wong leads a team of 70+ individuals in the mission of building homes, community, and hope. He brings 30+ years of housing finance, education, and community leadership experience to the conversation, offering attendees a powerful perspective on how rebuilding homes can also rebuild stability, opportunity, and generational wealth for Altadena families.
Linkedin: @bryanwong & @sangabrielvalleyhabitatforhumanity
Instagram: @bryanjohnwong & @sgvhabitat
Website: https://sgvhabitat.org
Joshua Humphries
Senior Advisor to the President, Special Initiatives
Joshua Humphries currently serves as Senior Advisor at the California Community Foundation (CCF), leading special initiatives for the foundation. His work is focused on tackling Los Angeles’ most urgent challenges, including housing, economic mobility, and place-based neighborhood revitalization, by incubating new solutions where traditional tools have fallen short.
LinkedIn: @joshuahumphries
Website: https://www.calfund.org
REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT FREE WEBINAR: https://the-future-of-work-by-pcc.captivate.fm/register
October 29th, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm PST
This panel will examine how colleges, employers, workforce organizations, public agencies, and community partners can work together to connect people to the careers emerging from recovery.
We'll discuss where the greatest workforce needs are developing, how education and training programs can keep pace, and what employers need from workforce partners.
Whether you develop workforce programs, hire talent, teach students, or shape public policy, you'll leave understanding where recovery and workforce opportunities intersect.
We will be featuring panelists from across county government, utilities, construction and trades, and the rebuild effort.
Listen to these related Future of Work Episodes:
Bridging Recovery and Workforce with PCC’s Wildland Fire Academy & Mathew Barboza, Dean of Business and Enrollment Management
Making Recovery Equitable & Inclusive with Anish Saraiya, Director of Altadena Recovery for L.A County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
How Women-Owned Businesses Lead Pasadena's Post-Fire Economic Rebuild with Lizzy Okoro Davidson, Director at Pasadena Women's Business Center
Sustaining the Rebuild: PCC's Continuing Commitment to Community Recovery
Mentioned in this episode:
REGISTER FOR OUR FREE WEBINAR WITH THE LINK BELOW
October 29th, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm PST
This panel will examine how colleges, employers, workforce organizations, public agencies, and community partners can work together to connect people to the careers emerging from recovery.
We'll discuss where the greatest workforce needs are developing, how education and training programs can keep pace, and what employers need from workforce partners.
Whether you develop workforce programs, hire talent, teach students, or shape public policy, you'll leave understanding where recovery and workforce opportunities intersect.
We will be featuring panelists from across county government, utilities, construction and trades, and the rebuild effort.
REGISTER FOR FREE