Business Forward

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Robert Rubin and Ken Chenault, Chairman and Managing Director of General Catalyst and former Chairman and CEO of American Express, for a briefing on the damage the outcome of this election could do to America's economy and our global competitiveness.  

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Dr. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate Dean for Leadership Studies & Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management at the Yale School of Management, for a briefing on our economy and the rule of law, our safe harbor advantage, and the cost of losing it due to political chaos and a reckless presidency. 

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed officials from the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor for a conversation on current labor shortages, including school staffing shortages and apprenticeship programs.

In this episode, Business Forward, Main Street Alliance, Public Private Strategies Institute, and the U.S. Black Chambers hosted a discussion with Daniel Hornung, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the National Economic Council (NEC) and Zach Butterworth, Former Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House. In this conversation, we discussed the debt ceiling deal.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed officials from the Office of the First Lady and the U.S. Department of Education on workforce initiatives and how small business leaders can develop and hire local talent.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed Zach Butterworth, Former Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House, Shuwanza Goff, Former Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House, and Ben Harris, Former Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury for a briefing on current debt limit negotiations and why avoiding default is so important.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed Zach Butterworth, Former Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House, Shuwanza Goff, Former Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House, and Ben Harris, Former Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury for a briefing on why the current debt limit negotiations and avoiding default are so important, and steps businesses can take to get involved.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed Zach Butterworth, Former Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House, Shuwanza Goff, Former Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House, and Ben Harris, Former Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury for a briefing on why the current debt limit negotiations and avoiding default are so important, and steps businesses can take to get involved.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed Sarah Morris, Senior Advisor at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), for a briefing on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the newly announced broadband maps, upcoming NTIA priorities, and steps businesses can take to get involved.

In this episode, Business Forward welcomed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), for a briefing on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace Open Enrollment, Small Business Week of Action, and ways business leaders can get involved in ACA enrollment.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a discussion on digital equity in education. In this conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, officials from the U.S. Department of Education discussed the Department of Education's Advancing Digital Equity for All program, White House initiatives for advancing digital equity, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.

In this episode, Business Forward and the Walton Family Foundation hosted a discussion on innovation in education and workforce development. In this conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, a panel of employers and leading innovators in education explored the role of education in connecting learners with in-demand skills, best practices for career-connected learning, and how business leaders can support career pathways in their own communities.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with former CIA officer and national security advisor Evan McMullin for a discussion on climate action and severe weather in Utah. In his conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, McMullin answered tough questions on topics ranging from inflation, to rule of law, and how severe weather affects small businesses all over the country. 

In this episode, Business Forward co-hosted a briefing with Small Business for America's Future on the Inflation Reduction Act with Zach Butterworth, White House Director for Private Sector Engagement, and Aviva Aron-Dine, National Economic Council Deputy Director. In conversation with our Executive Director, Liz Fairchild, they answered questions on health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, prescription drug prices, and ways business leaders can get involved. 

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Assistant Secretary Amy Loyd and Assistant Secretary Roberto Rodríguez from the U.S. Department of Education for a discussion on the Pathways to Success initiative. In their conversation with former Business Forward Executive Director Bert Kaufman, they answered tough questions on topics ranging from apprenticeships, to upskill programs, and how business leaders can support students with available educational and training opportunities. 

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Rachel Pryor, Counselor for Health Policy and Jesse Cross-Call, Deputy Director of External Affairs, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a discussion on the Affordable Care Act. In conversation with Business Forward President Jim Doyle, they answered tough questions on topics ranging from the current state of ACA, and how business leaders can advocate in their communities. 

In this episode, Business Forward President Jim Doyle joined the U.S. Department of Commerce's Chief Economist Ronnie Chatterji for a discussion on the state of the small business economy, public policy that can impact small and mid-sized businesses, and how small business owners can stay involved.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Dr. Laurie Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), for a discussion on the Bipartisan Innovation Act. In her conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, Dr. Locascio answered tough questions on topics ranging from supply chains to diversity and inclusion in our innovation environment, and how business leaders can support the BIA. 

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with environmental and financial experts for a discussion on financial supply chains. In their conversation with Business Forward Executive Director Liz Fairchild, these experts answered tough questions on a new report that provides analysis of the hidden climate impact of corporate finances, how the financial system is undermining the sustainability efforts of climate-conscious companies, and steps business leaders can take to help advocate for change.Guests included James Vaccaro, Executive Director at the Climate Safe Lending Network (CSLN), Paul Moinester, Founder and Executive Director of The Outdoor Policy Outfit (TOPO), Peter Gill Case, Co-Chair of BankFWD, and Vanessa Fajans-Turner, Executive Director of BankFWD.To learn more about the Carbon Bankroll report, please visit https://www.carbonbankroll.com/

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with officials from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a discussion on the State Small Business Credit Initiative. In their conversation with former Business Forward Executive Director Bert Kaufman, Deputy Assistant Secretary Adair Morse and the Director of the Office of Federal Program Finance, Jeff Stout, answered tough questions on topics ranging from job creation to how business leaders can support the SSBCI. 

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the voice for America's 32.5 million small businesses in President Biden's Cabinet, for a briefing on the Biden-Harris Administration's reforms to the federal procurement process. Administrator Guzman answered tough questions on topics ranging from procurement opportunities, COVID relief, and leveling the playing field for business owners.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with White House Nomination Advisor for Engagement, Minyon Moore, White House Nomination Advisor for Communications, Ben LaBolt, and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Counsel, Paige Herwig for a discussion on the Supreme Court confirmation process. In their conversation, Moore, Herwig, and LaBolt answered tough questions on topics ranging from the confirmation process, Judge Jackson's qualifications, and the steps business leaders can take.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education, Lexi Barrett, and Acting Deputy Director of Policy to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, David Langdon, for a discussion on building an equitable workforce. In their conversation, Barrett and Langdon answered tough questions on topics ranging from skills gaps in the labor market, to education reform, and gender equity in the workplace.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Jared Bernstein, member of President Biden's Council of Economic Advisers for a discussion on the economic impacts of Build Back Better and the Federal Reserve nominations. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine, Bernstein answered tough questions on topics ranging from inflation, supply chains, to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with the U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh for a discussion on what workforce development and the labor components of Build Back Better means for small businesses. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Denver Colorado, Mayor Michael Hancock, Secretary Walsh answered tough questions on topics ranging from COVID relief to technological innovations and workforce recruitment.

In this episode, Business Forward hosted a briefing with former U.S. Secretary of Education John King for a discussion on what K through 12 education and workforce development means for small businesses and local economies. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Secretary King answered questions on topics ranging from pandemic learning loss to preparing students for success and the future of workforce development.Resources mentioned in the briefing: K12 Climate Action: https://www.k12climateaction.org/ A coalition organizing for environmental sustainability in the school system by shifting schools to clean energy, sustainable food use, and clean transportation within the next decade.Podcast: Hiring for Skills and the Future of Work https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/businessfwd/episodes/2021-04-05T17_53_07-07_00Byron Auguste, CEO and Co-founder of Opportunity@Work, and David Sutphen, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer for 2U, joined us for a discussion of skills and opportunity gaps, the public and private sectors' roles in the future of work, and how the small business community can connect with workforce talent.

On October 15th, Business Forward, Small Business for America's Future, American Sustainable Business Council, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted a briefing with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for a discussion on the Build Back Better agenda. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Secretary Raimondo answered questions on topics ranging from climate to workforce vaccination mandates.

On September 30th, Business Forward hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm for a briefing and Q&A moderated by Executive Director of Business Forward Liz Fairchild on the Build Back Better agenda and how bold climate action will help business leaders across the country. Secretary Granholm answered questions on topics ranging from reconciliation to clean energy to what tax reform means for small businesses. She also discussed the importance of business leader support and how they can get involved.

On September 23, Business Forward President Jim Doyle and Spitfire Strategies Director Annabelle Gardner hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about voting rights and the Freedom to Vote Act. They also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger voting reforms in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor.

On September 9th, Business Forward hosted Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice and Guns Policy Chiraag Bains for a discussion on the Administration's plan for gun violence prevention. After a brief introduction and opening remarks, Chiraag answered questions from business leaders across the country covering topics from gun violence as a public health issue, criminal justice reform and second chance hiring, and ways to engage their communities.

On July 29, Business Forward hosted Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, for a briefing on workforce development and K-12 & adult skill building. In his conversation with NewDEAL leader and Montgomery, Alabama, Mayor Steven Reed, he answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from education to equity and workforce recruitment. They also discussed how business leaders can get involved with workforce development in their communities.

On July 14, Business Forward hosted former IRS Commissioners Fred Goldberg Jr. and Charles Rossotti for a briefing and Q&A on modernizing the IRS and shrinking the tax gap. They answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from the unequal distribution of the tax gap to what an updated IRS would look like. They also discussed how business leaders can get involved with the proposals covered in the briefing.

On June 29, Business Forward hosted a briefing with Chair Brenda Mallory, and Director of Public Engagement David Kieve, both at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, for a discussion on the Administration's plans for climate change and environmental justice.After opening remarks and a brief Q&A with Chair Brenda Mallory, David Kieve answered additional questions from business leaders across the country, covering topics ranging from emerging clean energy technologies to emissions regulations.

On June 28, Business Forward hosted Amy Martin, President of Tennessee Cable & Broadband Association, Tom Schatz, President of Citizens Against Government Waste, Cassandra Denton, Owner of SanSational Creations, and State Representative Martin Daniels for a roundtable moderated by Jim Doyle, President of Business Forward, on the digital divide and Knoxville Utility Board proposal. Panelists discussed what a government-owned network would mean for business leaders, the importance of public-private collaboration, and how business leaders can get involved.

On June 16, Business Forward hosted U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm for a briefing and Q&A moderated by NewDEAL leader, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego on the American Jobs Plan and building our energy infrastructure back better. Secretary Granholm answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics ranging from the security and resilience of our energy system to American competitiveness in the clean energy sector. She also discussed the importance of public-private collaboration and how business leaders can get involved.

On June 8th, Business Forward hosted a discussion with Natasha Sarin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury, and Zach Butterworth, Director of Private Sector Engagement at the White House Office of Public Engagement. After opening remarks from Butterworth on the American Families Plan, Sarin discussed the IRS and tax provisions of the Plan -- including its efforts to revitalize IRS enforcement and technology, how to increase fairness in the tax system, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.

On June 3, Business Forward President Jim Doyle and Spitfire Strategies Director Annabelle Gardner hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about the anti-corruption and voting rights provisions of the For the People Act. They also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger voting reforms in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor.

On May 27, Business Forward hosted a discussion between Managing Director of the Clean Slate Initiative Sheena Meade and Director of Justice Reform and Racial Equity Policy at Microsoft Danyelle Soloman on the power of enacting clean slate policies for economic and workforce development. Chiraag Bains, Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice & Guns Policy at the Domestic Policy Council at the White House joined for introductory remarks.

On May 20, Jim Doyle hosted a media training on best practices when speaking to the media about gun safety and strengthening background checks. He also discussed how small businesses can help advocate for stronger gun safety legislation in their communities and best practices for writing an op-ed or letter to the editor. If you want to sign on to our statement calling for the Senate to pass bipartisan federal legislation to strengthen background checks, you can add your name here: https://www.businessforward.org/bipartisan-background-check-legislation/ Business Forward also released a media training manual on gun safety and background checks that you can access here: https://www.businessforward.org/press/new-training-manual-on-gun-safety/

On May 14, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future hosted Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council for a briefing and Q&A on the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. They answered questions from business leaders across the country on topics from procurement opportunities in infrastructure investment to making the tax code fair for small businesses.

On May 12, Business Forward hosted a briefing and Q&A on passing federal background check legislation for all gun sales with Sarah Trumble, Senior Director of Federal Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety. Trumble outlined what federal background check legislation for gun sales would do, how it helps, its chances of passing in Congress, and the steps business leaders can take to help advocate in their communities.

On April 22, Business Forward hosted a briefing and Q&A on the cost of restrictive voting laws with Charles Phillips, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at RECOGNIZE, and David Clunie, Executive Director of the Black Economic Alliance. Phillips and Clunie answered questions about the role of business in the voting rights debate, recent state-level efforts to pass anti-voter legislation, and discussed their observations while recruiting executives to speak up on this issue. They also outlined how business leaders can advocate in their communities.

On April 21, Business Forward, Small Business for America’s Future, and other partners hosted a briefing and Q&A on building our infrastructure back better with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Secretary Buttigieg and NewDEAL Leader Mayor Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama discussed integrating racial and regional equity into the American Jobs Plan rollout, creating good jobs, and providing opportunities for small businesses to get involved in infrastructure projects. This briefing is the first in our Build Back Better briefing series. This series will cover the Biden administration’s policy priorities across a range of topics, including those covered by the American Jobs Plan and the recently passed American Rescue Plan.

On April 13, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future hosted a briefing and Q&A on the American Jobs Plan with Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, Joelle Gamble, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and Zach Butterworth, Director of Private Sector Engagement for the White House. It covered topics ranging from opportunities for small businesses in federal contracting to the ways in which the plan will help the U.S. stay globally competitive. This briefing is part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care issues.

Byron Auguste, CEO and Co-founder of Opportunity@Work, and David Sutphen, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer for 2U, joined us for a discussion of skills and opportunity gaps, the public and private sectors’ roles in the future of work, and how the small business community can connect with workforce talent.

On April 1, Business Forward hosted a briefing on manufacturing in the Heartland. White House Associate Director of Public Engagement Will McIntee joined for introductory remarks on how the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan will impact the Heartland. After these remarks, Mayor Nan Whaley of Dayton, Ohio moderated a discussion between CEO of Heartland Forward Ross DeVol and CEO of Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority Rick Platt on manufacturing in the Heartland, answering questions from business leaders on entrepreneurship, reshoring jobs, and how climate concerns affect electric vehicle suppliers and the manufacturing sector, overall. 01:12 - Will McIntee's remarks 13:47 - Ross DeVol's opening remarks 18:22 - Rick Platt's opening remarks 20:35 - Q&A moderated by Mayor Nan Whaley

On March 24, Business Forward welcomed New York business leaders Daphany Rose Sanchez, Executive Director and Founder of Kinetic Communities Consulting, and Susannah Bradley, Marketing Director for SunCommon, to discuss recent climate legislation and funding a just clean energy transition. During the conversation, our guests discussed New York’s climate leadership and the Climate and Community Investment Act. They addressed the impact of a clean energy transition on local jobs, investment, and businesses, and how small businesses can get engaged. Interested in telling Albany to fund the clean energy transition? Sign on to our business leader statement: https://secure.everyaction.com/9ZUL8_vIkUK7cFqS9hlo7g2. Resources NY Renews: https://www.nyrenews.org/ Climate Works For All: https://alignny.org/campaign/climate-works-for-all/

On March 18, Business Forward welcomed Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, who represents Washington’s first district, for a briefing on H.R. 1, the For the People Act. During the briefing, the Congresswoman outlined the various pro-democracy reforms proposed in H.R. 1, including the creation of a nationwide standard for early voting, the expansion of opportunities to vote by mail, and increased protection from misinformation and cyber attacks that interfere with our elections. She also discussed the importance of a well-functioning democracy for the business community.

On March 16th, Business Forward and Small Business for America’s future briefed Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, on the American Rescue Plan. He answered questions from business leaders on the plan’s industry-specific provisions, how small businesses will benefit, and what is coming next. This briefing is part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care issues.

In this episode, our network briefed Biden officials on the American Rescue Plan. Biden’s Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Congressman Cedric Richmond joined us for introductory remarks, and Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, answered questions from business leaders on economic recovery, the plan’s equity components, and PPP loans. This briefing was part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with Biden officials on critical economic, climate, and health care policy.

In this episode, Co-chair of the Biden-Harris transition team and Biden’s Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Congressman Cedric Richmond joins us for introductory remarks. Governor Gina Raimondo, President-elect Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce, and Isabel Guzman, his nominee for Small Business Administrator, talk with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck of Washington, and answer questions from business leaders on economic recovery, racial and gender equity, health care, helping rural America, and climate change. Both nominees discussed how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted small businesses across the country, and their plans to help business leaders build back better. This briefing was part of a series of briefings Business Forward and our partner Small Business for America's Future will conduct with President-elect Biden’s nominees for critical economic, climate, and health care posts.