SC Connecticut News

Join us for our Annual Policy Summit & Summer Bash. It's TWO EVENTS IN ONE!

Presenting Sponsor

This year’s theme is: Rethinking The New Workforce: Strengthening Our Talent Advantage to Drive Regional Economic Growth.

Policy Summit Program Content

Over the past few years, the dynamics of the workforce have changed. Our business community has faced a drastic need to hire workers, prompting the question, where did all of our workers go?

In our 2022 Policy Summit, we will address this question and rethink how we approach the workforce to ensure talent is a competitive advantage for our region.  During this event we will cover innovative approaches that are showing strong early returns including regional sector partnerships. We will share best practices to retain a young and diverse workforce. Join us for in-depth conversation on the new workforce, and what it means for your business.

Join us immediately following our program for networking, delicious bites, beer & wine, and LIVE entertainment in the lobby of the beautiful Hotel Marcel!

Sweet summer sounds provided by Vélez! Take a listen!

Hosted at the NEW Hotel Marcel!

     

Come back for the most up-to-date speaker and panel information!

Topics & Schedule

3:00 pm | Opening Remarks

3:05 pm | State of the Workforce: Where is the Talent? 

• Kelli-Marie Vallieres, Ph.D. - Chief Workforce Officer / Commissioner, State of Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy/Vice Chair, Governor's Workforce Council
• William Villano, President & CEO, Workforce Alliance

3:15 pm | Regional Sector Partnerships: Business-Led Approaches to Solving Workforce Challenges

• Erika Smith, CEO, ReNetX Bio 
• Asi Carmeli, Director of Human Resources, Hobson & Motzer
• Andrea Lobo, Chief Human Resources Officer, Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center

Panelists will discuss business-led approaches to solving workforce challenges through the work currently being done by regional sector partnerships (RSPs) in collaboration with our region's colleges and universities. Panelists will provide insight into the strong early returns that have already surfaced as a result of the RSPs. Panelists will also provide an understanding of how business leaders in other industries can take the lead in addressing the workforce through collaboration between industry leaders, building a talent pipeline, and university partnerships.

 

3:50 pm | Retaining a Young & Diverse Workforce

• Adriane Jefferson, Director of Cultural Affairs, City of New Haven
• Patricia Melton, President, New Haven Promise
• Genevive Walker, President & CEO, ConnCAT
• Jhonnathan Rivera, Co-Founder & Communications Director, Puerto Ricans United

The retention of young people who tend to move out of our state is a large factor in addressing our labor shortages. This issue, while usually focused on the retention of students, also applies to younger people who leave the state due to a variety of reasons, including a lack of diverse culture. Panelists will discuss how we can work to address retaining a young and diverse workforce. A multitude of solutions will be examined including making sure our culture reflects the diversity of those who live in the region and leveraging the programs in place that support the talent pipeline of young people.

 

4:25 pm | New Strategies to Find and Retain Workers  

• Dorinda Manner, Vice President, Talent Acquisition & Development, Yale New Haven Health
• Mauri Quinn, Vice President, Human Resources, PhysicianOne Urgent Care
• Marcia LaFemina, President, Penn Globe

With an ever-evolving workforce, new strategies need to be used to find and retain workers. New strategies will assist employers in appealing to the workforce and creating a pipeline of talent. Some businesses have adapted to the new workforce by providing more flexible hours, assistance in childcare or transportation, or by forming new partnerships to reach the entire workforce. Panelists will discuss the new strategies they have implemented, innovative partnerships, and tips on how to attract and retain employees.

 

5:00 pm | End of Program &  Reception

Original source can be found here.