S&P 500 5,235.18 +1.02%EUR/USD 1.0840 +0.21%GBP/USD 1.2710 +0.14%USD/JPY 149.50 −0.18%BRENT $82.40 −0.81%BTC $67,800 −0.21%GOLD $2,341 +0.55%NASDAQ 16,420.55 +0.74%S&P 500 5,235.18 +1.02%EUR/USD 1.0840 +0.21%GBP/USD 1.2710 +0.14%USD/JPY 149.50 −0.18%BRENT $82.40 −0.81%BTC $67,800 −0.21%GOLD $2,341 +0.55%NASDAQ 16,420.55 +0.74%
A daily business newspaper · Founded in 2026

Money Talk

Finance and markets: business, quotes, gold, energy and releases.

Refugio Atilano Launches Elite Changemakers to Bridge Career Gap

Nearly half of recent college graduates feel unprepared for the workforce, prompting Chicago leadership expert Refugio Atilano to launch Elite Changemakers. The new national nonprofit provides a virtual, cohort-based acceleration program designed to equip emerging talent with AI fluency, corporate etiquette, and the critical thinking skills demanded by modern employers.

Refugio Atilano Launches Elite Changemakers to Bridge Career Gap
Photo: Bio & News

The seven-month program serves as an evolution of Atilano’s previous initiatives, the Professional Leadership Club and the AI Collective, which have already supported over 600 participants from institutions including the University of Notre Dame and UC Berkeley. By focusing on business storytelling, interview readiness, and professional networking, the nonprofit aims to transform students into what Atilano describes as "power professionals." This structured approach addresses a widening misalignment between academic preparation and corporate expectations, where more than half of employers report that recent graduates lack the full skill set required for entry-level roles.

Beyond direct training, the organization offers industry mentorship and financial scholarships to help participants navigate the transition from classroom to boardroom. Atilano, who credits his own career success as a first-generation college student to sheer grit, now seeks to formalize that roadmap for others. The initiative is currently courting corporate and university partners to act as sponsors, offering them a direct pipeline to vetted, job-ready talent. This model serves a dual purpose: simplifying the hiring process for companies while providing students with a clear competitive edge in a tightening job market.

Share article
TelegramXFacebook

When reusing this material a link to Money Talk is required.

Comments (0)

Leave a comment

No comments yet. Be the first!