The Gap partners with CoLabL to design and facilitate high-impact talent development experiences in support of This Way ONward, Old Navy’s signature opportunity program connecting socioeconomically disadvantaged youth (ages 16–24) to jobs and careers across North America. Together, we created pathways for emerging talent to explore careers in retail, build critical skills, expand their networks, and grow with confidence within The Gap ecosystem.

Through ONward Connections programming, CoLabL introduced youth to career pathways at The Gap while equipping them with practical insights and tools to support their career exploration and growth. Building on this foundation, CoLabL designed and facilitated a Talent Accelerator focused on retail career pathways through project-based learning and group-based mentoring, creating hands-on opportunities to apply skills in real-world contexts.

To further support long-term growth, CoLabL managed a Breakthrough Mentoring program for This Way ONward alumni, connecting emerging talent with field and corporate leaders to strengthen relationships, build skills, and increase access to career advancement opportunities. In parallel, CoLabL partnered with store leaders to design and facilitate training experiences focused on inclusive leadership, navigating change, and building community partnerships to support talent recruitment and development.

CoLabL also designed and facilitated an Emerging Alumni Leaders Program, empowering This Way ONward alumni to deepen their leadership skills and continue their career journeys within The Gap. Across every experience, the program design reflected The Gap’s commitment to opportunity, inclusion, and talent development and CoLabL’s belief that relationships drive change.

Impact Highlights

• ONward Connections + Store Leader Trainings achieved a 4.8 out of 5 overall experience rating
• 99% of participants would recommend ONward Connections programming to others
• 99% of store leaders would recommend the training experiences to others
• Emerging Alumni Leaders Program achieved a 4.4 out of 5 overall experience rating
• 100% of alumni participants would recommend the Emerging Alumni Leaders Program to others