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Bright Future Force (BFF)

Empowering Tomorrow, Together.

Discover Our Mission

OUR STORY

The core of our identity, our mission, and our vision for the future. Click a topic to expand.

About Us

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Bright Future Force (BFF) is a cross-sector nonprofit initiative uniting academia, industry, and government to bridge the skills gap and create a future-ready workforce. We empower students, professionals, and underserved communities with tools to thrive in the changing world of work—through training, mentorship, networking, and leadership opportunities.

Organizational Overview

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Bright Future Force represents a strategic initiative created by the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL) through the Industry Partnerships program to address the workforce crisis. Incorporated on May 21, 2025, as a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, our organization uniquely combines academic insight with industry expertise through our board of trustees, which includes professionals with direct biotechnology experience at leading companies like Sanofi. This industry connection ensures our programs remain up to date with employer needs and technological advances.

We operate from our headquarters in Northern New Jersey, strategically positioned within the Northeast biotechnology corridor that includes major research universities and industry clusters. Our organizational structure emphasizes agility and responsiveness, enabling rapid program development and deployment to meet emerging workforce needs. We maintain strong governance through our board of trustees while building partnerships with educational institutions, industry partners, and government agencies. Our approach distinguishes us from traditional workforce development organizations by simultaneously targeting educators and students, creating a sustainable pipeline of life sciences talent. This dual-focus model addresses both immediate industry needs and long-term capacity building within educational systems. We emphasize hands-on learning, industry exposure, and practical skill development that directly translate to workplace competency and career advancement opportunities.

Our Mission

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Our mission is to empower the next generation of talent by bridging academia, industry, and government through cutting-edge technology exposure, professional networking, and transformative learning experiences. We focus specifically on Life Sciences workforce development, ensuring students and emerging professionals across all sectors gain real-world readiness for successful careers.

We achieve this mission by creating comprehensive training programs that combine theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing participants for immediate contribution to Life Science organizations. Our commitment extends to building sustainable partnerships that continuously strengthen the connection between education and employment in this critical industry.

Our Vision

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We envision a future where everyone can access quality training and mentorship and secure meaningful employment in this rapidly growing field, fostering sustainable careers and driving economic growth. Our vision encompasses a comprehensive consortium of professionals committed to transforming the connection between education and employment through innovative workforce development programs.

We see ourselves as the leading force in the life sciences workforce development, recognized for our ability to anticipate industry needs and develop responsive training solutions. By partnering with businesses—the cornerstone of our economy, we actively address industry challenges while ensuring continuous success and expansion for both employers and workers.

OUR BOARD

Meet the architects building the future. Hover or tap on a card to see the details.

Rakhi Agarwal

Rakhi Agarwal

Chairperson & CEO

Rakhi Agarwal

Visionary leader driving BFF's mission to bridge the skills gap and create a future-ready workforce.

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Vibha Jawa

Vibha Jawa

VP, Industry Partnership

Vibha Jawa

Expert in fostering collaborations between academia and industry to create impactful learning experiences.

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Sreejit Menon

Sreejit Menon

Director, Business Development

Sreejit Menon

Strategist focused on expanding BFF's reach and impact through sustainable growth and partnerships.

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Anjali Agarwal

Anjali Agarwal

Director, Industry Partnership

Anjali Agarwal

Dedicated to building strong industry ties that provide invaluable opportunities for program participants.

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OUR CORE VALUES

Our guiding principles. Click on an orb to learn more.

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BrightFutureForce Events - Ultimate Timeline Final

CURRENT & UPCOMING EVENTS

JUL 2025

Biotechnology Educator Program

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The Biotech Educator Program offers STEM teachers hands-on training in cutting-edge biotechnology. This unique opportunity equips educators with the tools and experience to bring real-world science into the classroom, inspire students, and strengthen New Jersey’s STEM pipeline.

View Program Details
2026

Clinical Trials Training

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An intensive program designed for aspiring clinical research professionals, covering trial design, regulatory affairs, data management, and ethical considerations. Equips participants with the knowledge and skills essential for success in the dynamic field of clinical trials.

📍 Online & On-site Modules
JUL 2025

Felician Support

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An update on our ongoing collaboration with Felician University this summer. We have received the updated schedule from them, where our team is actively involved. Felician University has expressed their gratitude and satisfaction with the dedication and involvement you have shown. Your responsiveness to our partners' requests is instrumental in our shared mission to bridge gaps in our community and support the development of future leaders.

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2026

Career Fair

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A premier virtual career fair connecting talented individuals with leading companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and tech. Offers networking opportunities, resume workshops, and direct interactions with recruiters from top-tier organizations.

🌐 Virtual Event Platform
2026

Cyber Security Workshop

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An advanced workshop focusing on critical cybersecurity threats and defense strategies relevant to the biotech and healthcare sectors. Topics include data privacy, network security, incident response, and compliance with industry standards.

🔒 Hybrid (Online & In-person)
JAN 2026

AI & Ethics Training

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A virtual roundtable on responsible tech and the future of jobs, featuring global experts in AI, policy, and workforce development.

💻 Virtual Event

OUR IMPACT: A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT

A.I. in the Life Sciences at NJIT

An impactful event that brought together industry leaders and students to discuss the future of AI, featuring panelists from J&J, Lura Health, Brainify.AI, and BMS.

Biotechnology Educator Program

A landmark initiative at the Bristol Myers Squibb facility, providing hands-on training to teachers to inspire over 3,000 students.

Veteran Job Fair

This fair connected over 370 veterans and their families with valuable career opportunities in the life sciences industry.

Pathways in Life Sciences at LSC

Hosted at the Liberty Science Center, this event showcased career pathways to students, featuring leaders from BMS, J&J, Novartis and more.

SPONSORS & COLLABORATORS

We are proud to be supported by industry leaders, academic institutions, and visionaries who share our commitment to building a future-ready workforce.

Our Sponsors

Haleon Logo
Bausch and Lomb Logo
Bristol Myers Squibb Logo
Croda International Logo
Johnson & Johnson Logo
Sanofi Logo
Regeneron Logo
EpiVax Logo
Novo Nordisk Logo

Our Partners & Collaborators

Rutgers Logo
Akshaya Patra Logo
AICC Logo
HINJ Logo
NJAS Logo
Caldwell University Logo
Felician University Logo
Kean University Logo
VOICES OF IMPACT
The training activities learned at the BMS Educator Program last year provided a solid foundation for writing a case study on how Sotyktu works using molecular visualization software. Once the case study is peer-reviewed, it will be published as an open educational resource on the QUBES website through Molecular CaseNet. The BMS Educator Program was a great experience and helped me throughout this school year to engage better with my students. My students loved the practical knowledge that I was able to communicate to them in my Drug Discovery course. Although the classes I teach are small because we solely serve neurodivergent students, I can see how much they enjoy the applied activities. I believe that when the case study is published, it will have a significant impact on the community and diverse groups. I truly believe the Educator Program offered by BMS last year made a great impact on the educator community.
Christin B. Monroe, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Chemistry
AIE-STEMPLOS co-Primary Investigator, Landmark College

Let's build the future, together.

Have a question, a proposal, or just want to say hello? Go ahead, we're listening.

Northern New Jersey, USA