HIRED Works: Speakers' Biographies

Our HIRED Works events are designed to introduce you to two of the most important parts of our organization: our mission and our visionaries. Our mission of providing personalized and innovative work solutions is the guiding statement that directs our day-to-day interactions with clients, partners and employers across the metro. Equally important is our staff’s commitment to advancing that mission, serving our clients with dignity and respect and helping Twin Cities-area residents and employers understand the inadequacies of our state’s current workforce development system. Below are short biographies of the people who will share HIRED’s mission and vision with you at our HIRED Works events.

Jane Samargia, Executive Director

Jane has served has HIRED’s executive director since 1983. She is currently responsible for a staff of more than 120 and a budget of $10 million. Jane specializes in the design of service delivery systems, program management and governmental relations. She is responsible for the operation of workforce development programs in four counties in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area that annually assist more than 8,000 at-risk youth, refugees, single parents, school dropouts, ex-offenders, dislocated workers, and others lacking adequate education, training and work experience.

During Jane’s tenure, HIRED became a leader in the use of technology to link employers and job seekers at community based organizations. HIRED’s Job Link, a workforce development information management system, has been cited nationally as a model for more efficient gathering, organizing and communicating of job opening information. She has served on a number of local and state level committees to advise on workforce development issues.

She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Barb Dahl, Senior Program Director

Barb leads HIRED’s Minnesota Family Investment Programs in Washington, Ramsey and Hennepin Counties. Each of these programs assists participants in transition from welfare. Barb began working with HIRED in 1998, and now supervises 55+ staff in eight of HIRED’s offices. Barb has over ten years of experience working in social service positions and is nearing completion of a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services.

Jeff Ambroz, Foundation and Corporate Grants Manager

Jeff is responsible for cultivating support from local, regional and national donors. He has eight years of management experience at local nonprofit agencies, working on behalf of disadvantaged youth and adults. Jeff has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Metropolitan State University and has served in board leadership positions at a variety of nonprofit organizations.