Sorby Grant is the President and CEO of Climb Hire, a nonprofit helping working adults build the skills, confidence, and professional networks they need to access better career opportunities. We sat down with Sorby to talk about why social capital can be just as important as technical skills in a job search, how Climb Hire helps participants strengthen and activate their networks, and why relationships and referrals often play such a major role in getting hired.

Sorby also shares how Climb Hire combines career navigation with training in areas like IT support, medical assisting, paid marketing, AI literacy, and cybersecurity. We explore the organization’s approach to partnering with employers and community organizations, the importance of building long-term professional relationships, and the opportunity Sorby sees for bringing Climb Hire’s model to New Orleans while strengthening the workforce development resources already serving the city.

Missions Bayou is presented by Comfy Stone, a New Orleans-based video production agency that helps organizations amplify their impact through mission-driven storytelling. Missions Bayou is hosted by Maya McGee and Brenna Gourgeot.

Maya McGee is the Senior Director of Operations at Comfy Stone, where she helps nonprofits clarify and elevate their storytelling to better reflect their mission and impact. Brenna Gourgeot is a community organizer and data analyst focused on socioeconomic and environmental justice in Southeast Louisiana. From fundraising videos and social media content to full-scale podcast production, Comfy Stone makes it easy for organizations to share their stories in a way that resonates.

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