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.

 

MODERATOR

Gerald Cohen

Chief Economist, UNC Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise

 

PANELISTS

Delisa Alexander

Board Director, Qlik; Sophos; Symechron

John Haltiwanger

Dudley and Louisa Dillard Professor of Economics, University of Maryland and 2023 Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellow

Jeffery Swearingen

Global SVP, PepsiCo

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.

 

SPEAKER

Tara Watson

Professor of Economics, Williams College, Director of Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, Brookings Institution and 2023 Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellow

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.

 

MODERATOR

Sekou Bermiss

Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

 

PANELISTS

Barbara Entwistle

Frank Hawkins Kenan Distinguished Professor of Sociology, UNC Chapel Hill; Training Program Director, Carolina Population Center

Jeff Korzenik

Chief Economist, Fifth Third Bank

Bruce Van Saun

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Financial Group, Inc

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.

 

SPEAKERS

Ritch Allison

Retired CEO, Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Mary Margaret Frank

Dean, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Tim Humphrey

Chief Analytics Officer, North Carolina Senior State Executive and RTP Senior Site Executive, IBM

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.

 

SPEAKERS

Angelica Leigh

Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations, Duke Fuqua School of Business and 2023 Kenan Institute Distinguished Fellow

Shimul Melwani

Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Business Program, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

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.

 

MODERATOR

Mike Christian

Bell Distinguished Scholar and Professor of Organizational Behavior, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

 

PANELISTS

Mike Barkley

Former CEO, KIND Snacks, Board Director, Higher Ambition Leadership Alliance

Dana O’Donovan

Social Impact and Monitor Institute by Deloitte Leader, US Purpose and DEI Office, Deloitte

Katie Wu

Associate Director, Sustainable Investing, Private Markets, Manulife Investment Management

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.

 

SPEAKER

Arvind Malhotra

The H. Allen Andrew Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

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.

 

MODERATOR

Stan Ahalt

Dean, UNC School of Data Science and Society

 

PANELISTS

Theresa Barber

Vice President, HR People Systems and Analytics, SAS

Mark McNeilly

Professor of the Practice of Marketing, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Tammy Samuels

Executive Director, Career & Leadership for MBA & Alumni, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School