Deb Broberg, Executive Director
612-889-2626
Deb comes to RealTime Talent from a successful 25+ year career with Northwest Airlines and Wells Fargo where she held positions with responsibility for Inflight Operations, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, and Talent Management. During her tenure with Wells Fargo she gained a keen appreciation for the importance of talent management and workforce planning.
Deb received her MA from the University of Minnesota’s HRIR program and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Macalester College. She serves on the board of the Human Resources Executive Council and has had a longstanding interest in education and the critical need to plan for future market needs when considering options for post-secondary education and training. Deb is active on the Alumni Board for Macalester College as co-chair of the career development committee, and served on the Carlson School of Management Undergraduate Advisory Board for nine years, where she gained insight on the early Itasca Project research which fueled her interest in workforce readiness for the state of Minnesota.
Deb brings a strong sense of community, commitment, and collaboration to RealTime Talent. Deb is originally from Minnesota and spent her youth in multiple geographies as the daughter of a military family.
Erin Olson, Research Strategist
612-370-9145
Erin is a dynamic leader that brings new and intersectional approaches to addressing the talent shortage challenge in Minnesota. Coming from a background spanning economic development, housing, transportation, and workforce analysis, Erin provides diverse workforce alignment research services to a broad base of industry leaders in Minnesota, fostering data-informed decision-making and innovation between workforce, higher education, business, and economic development systems. Erin directs all research and strategic efforts of RealTime Talent among key stakeholders, utilizing real-time data, traditional education and labor market information, as well as employer data to deliver insightful labor market analyses of key industry sectors and detailed advising and strategy development on high-growth and high-opportunity career pathways. Erin holds two Masters Degrees in Urban and Regional Planning and Public Health from the University of Minnesota, where she focused on community economic development, housing, and population studies. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.
Phil Arellano, Project Manager for Workforce Development
651-201-1774
Phil has a passion for training and development, marketing and communications, public speaking and facilitation, and project management. He has experience working with a wide variety of stakeholders in both for profit and nonprofit settings. In his role, Phil assists colleges and universities, workforce centers, and employer associations by facilitating the use of and providing consultation on industry and labor market information, real-time data tools, and career navigation. He facilitates and consults with employer collaboratives to execute talent management strategies to align workforce supply and demand. Phil also manages our website, social media platforms, and marketing and communications efforts.
Originally from Southern California, Phil came to Minnesota in 2003 to work for NET USA, a national non-profit youth outreach organization. Using his background in communication and commitment to training, Phil worked with and trained hundreds of team members to lead dynamic events across the nation. He then entered the private sector as an Executive Team Leader and Training Resource for Target Corporation, equipping leaders with the resources they need to meet performance goals while maintaining a high level of engagement and passion for their jobs.
Phil earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from Metropolitan State University, is pursuing a Masters of Science, and lives in Inver Grove Heights.
Brooke Dirtzu, Research Analyst
612-370-9145
Brooke is a public affairs researcher with over ten years’ experience in nonprofit and public sectors that span community development, adult basic education, job development, and interpretive planning. As a Research Analyst for RealTime Talent, Brooke executes projects to understand statewide and local workforce needs using her skills in survey design, data compilation, and statistical analysis. She has a passion for generating community engagement and leading multi-stakeholder feedback sessions. Brooke holds a master’s degree in Public Policy with a concentration in Leadership & Management from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. In her degree, she focused on advancing racial equity in the management of public institutions, which lead to the publication of a teaching case, Advancing Racial Equity in the Minneapolis Park System: How Could Organizations with Divergent Goals Work Together? She also holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Spanish.