TLN executive director presents at Jobs for the Future’s Horizons Annual Summit

The Trusted Learner Network is excited to share that Kate Giovacchini, executive director of the TLN and ASU Pocket, was a speaker at Horizons Annual Summit, hosted by Jobs for the Future (JFF), on Wednesday, June 11.

During the session, titled “Empowering the Workforce of Tomorrow with Decentralized Digital Identity and Verifiable Credentials”, Kate and her co-presenters Kerri Lemoie (MIT, Digital Credentials Consortium) and Sharon Leu (JFF) explored how decentralized digital identity, W3C Verifiable Credentials and digital wallets are reshaping how individuals gain recognition for their skills and experiences.

“Decentralized digital identity, W3C Verifiable Credentials and digital wallets are breaking down long-standing barriers by giving individuals the power to own and share their achievements. These tools unlock new pathways for recognition — especially for those whose skills have been overlooked by traditional systems — and open the door to more equitable access to education, employment and lifelong opportunity,” said Kate.

The session emphasized a bold vision: one in which individuals — regardless of background or circumstance — can own and share verifiable records of their achievements. From military veterans to learners who are disconnected from work and learning, Kate, Kerri and Sharon highlighted how this technology offers a new foundation for inclusion. At the heart of this shift is the idea of interoperability and user control — putting learners in control of their data.

Through hands-on exercises and collaborative discussion, participants examined real-world use cases and the underlying principles of privacy and trust that drive adoption. The session also showcased market-ready applications from ASU, the MIT Digital Credentials Consortium, the W3C VC-EDU Task Force and the JFFLabs digital wallets market scan, shedding light on how digital wallets and credentials are already being used to improve hiring, admissions and skill recognition.

Their Horizons session also underscored the global need to build systems that recognize learning wherever it happens and empower people to carry their achievements across borders, sectors and life stages. The digital credentialing tools are here — what remains is the unified ecosystem to adopt and scale them.

As digital identity continues to evolve, this session offered a compelling glimpse into what’s possible when we center the learner, the worker and the individual.

“It's not just about technology,” Kate said. “It’s about dignity, access and building a future where opportunity travels with you."

The Horizons Annual Summit by JFF is a premier gathering of leaders from education, workforce, industry and policy who are reimagining how to build a more equitable and skills-driven economy for all. With a theme this year of “date to be brave,” the event took place from June 10-11 in New Orleans, LA.