North Carolina has been recognized for the second consecutive year as the best state for business in the country. The state’s economic success is driven by the state’s robust workforce pipeline. Senator Lee will discuss North Carolina’s strategic approach to sustaining this competitive advantage.
Thursday, October 12
Registration and Networking
Welcome and Overview of the 2023 Grand Challenge: Workforce Disrupted
Paige Ouimet
Panel Discussion: Framing the New Equilibrium
An aging workforce combined with shifts in what workers expect from their jobs has collided with changes in demand for talent. Workers and businesses both want flexibility and purpose, but what they mean by those words is different: working from home vs. adaptation; socially conscious vs. more productive. How are employers and employees thinking about those differences and what are the mechanisms for reconciliation.
Gerald Cohen
DeLisa Alexander
John Haltiwanger
Jeff Swearingen
Networking Break
Keynote: An Economist’s Guide to Immigration Reform
Immigration is one of the most contentious policy issues, and Congress has failed to make any significant legislative progress in decades. The result is an incoherent policy landscape and significant operational challenges on the ground. At the same time, immigration and immigrant integration remain critical to future U.S. workforce growth, innovation and government fiscal solvency. Watson will discuss the key findings from the economics literature and their implications for where to focus immigration reform efforts.
Tara Watson
Panel Discussion: Navigating the Great Resignation and Beyond
This panel offers a deep dive into the complex forces that drove the “Great Resignation,” the ensuing “Great Talent Reshuffle,” and the emerging “Great Stay” phenomenon in the wake of the pandemic. Discover the motivations behind individuals leaving their jobs, exploring new opportunities, or reassessing their career paths. We’ll explore the implications for businesses and strategies to adapt to this shifting labor landscape. Join us to gain insights into workforce trends, retention challenges, and innovative approaches for a workforce in transformation.
Sekou Bermiss
Barbara Entwisle
Jeff Korzenik
Bruce Van Saun
Luncheon
Greg Brown
Sen. Thom Tillis
A Conversation with N.C. Senator Michael V. Lee on Meeting North Carolina's Future Workforce Needs
Networking Break
Breakout Sessions
Panel Discussion: Meeting North Carolina’s Labor Needs: Policy and Partnership
Discussion on government programs, public-private partnerships, and education pipelines aimed at meeting North Carolina’s labor needs. Explore the role of policy in workforce development.
Anita Brown-Graham
Rick Brown
Joshua Levy
Gary Salamido
Panel Discussion: Leading in a Hybrid World
Gain insights into best practices for managing remote and hybrid teams. Understand the importance of adaptable leadership in a world with greater workday flexibility and evolving team structures.
David Hofmann
Jeneén Felder
Stephanie Headley
Kathy Boden Holland
Networking Break
Refreshments available.
Breakout Sessions
Panel Discussion: Workforce Development Pipeline Blueprint: A Case Study in Public-Private Collaboration
Join us for an insightful panel discussion that delves into Wolfspeed’s pioneering efforts in forging private-public partnerships and initiatives aimed at cultivating a sustainable and skilled workforce pipeline. Our panelists will share their experiences and strategies for creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem that fosters innovation, job growth, and economic prosperity. Discover how collaboration can shape the future of workforce development in the tech industry in NC and beyond.
Mark Little
Dr. Pamela Howze
Jerry Jones
Shawnice Meador
Margaret Roberton
Panel Discussion: The Gig Economy: Transforming Work as We Know It
Explore the viability of the gig economy and its impact on traditional work structures. Discover how companies can tap into this flexible, on-demand labor market and adapt to changing workforce preferences.
Camelia Kuhnen
Candace Burnett
Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi
Albert L. Wright, Jr.
Networking Break
Workplace Talent, Skills and Economic Competitiveness: A Fireside Chat with UNC Kenan-Flagler Dean Mary Margaret Frank
Join UNC Kenan-Flagler Dean Mary Margaret Frank, IBM’s Tim Humphrey and former Domino’s CEO Ritch Allison for a discussion about the changing nature of the workplace and the skills necessary for both workers and companies to compete in today’s economic environment. This executive briefing is part of the Dean’s Speaker Series, hosted by the Kenan Institute in partnership with UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and made possible through the generous support of the Archie K. Davis Endowment.
Mary Margaret Frank
Ritch Allison
Tim Humphrey
Reception
Friday, October 13
Registration and Networking
Keynote: The Influence of Mega-Threats on Individuals at Work
Despite recognizing the importance of societal events, organizational scholars and practitioners alike rarely are prepared to address the effects of these events on their employees. Leigh will discuss a series of research papers where she explores the effect of societal events, or “mega-threats,” on employees in the workplace, as well as initial findings from new research examining the broader effects of mega-threats on individuals who share identity with victims of a mega-threat and those who are members of a different racially stigmatized identity group. Taken together, this work yields important theoretical and practical implications about the significant influence that societal events which occur outside of organizations have on employees when they enter the workplace and on individuals in society more broadly.
Angelica Leigh
Shimul Melwani
Panel Discussion: The Purposeful Company: Beyond Profits
Explore how companies can cultivate a greater sense of purpose in their work and attract employees who seek meaningful contributions. Discuss the importance of corporate social responsibility and purpose-driven missions.
Mike Christian
Michael Barkley
Dana O’Donovan
Katie Wu
Networking Break
Keynote: Succeeding in a Constantly Changing World
In this talk, we will discuss the key ingredients for organizations and individuals to succeed in a constantly changing world. We will address the need to be open, adaptable, and constantly learn. The talk will explore the SCALE Learning model as well as learning from failure.
Arvind Malhotra
Panel Discussion: Future-Proofing Skills for the Modern Workforce
Explore the vital skills essential for success in today’s ever-evolving workforce, spanning hybrid work models, emerging technologies, and the diverse needs of the modern workforce.
Stan Ahalt
Theresa Barber
Wayne Busch
Tammy J. Samuels
Fred Stutzman
Buffet Luncheon
Closing Remarks: Anticipating Tomorrow’s Challenges
Paige Ouimet
Networking Reception
Coffee and dessert available.