Conversations with Kelly

This episode is sponsored by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Delaware is filled with innovative workforce development programs that take people from where they are to where they want to go. In this episode, we sit down Cathy Kanefsky of the Food Bank of Delaware and Quentin Liningham of Walmart, both of whom represent organizations that provide people with the needed skills to step into a successful career path. We will explore how their respective programs are filling a need and addressing workforce gaps in the community.

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States – and there are several on the list from Delaware! The list is based on revenue growth rate and job creation. We sat down with Mac Macleod from Carvertise and Chris Burkhard from Placers, both companies on the Inc. 5000 list, to discuss entrepreneurship and explore how these CEOs scaled their business, fostered positive company culture, and meaningfully engaged employees in their company's success.

It's the newest hot-button topic in the business world: artificial intelligence. Many of us have been using it in the workplace for years without realizing it, but with the rise of programs like Chat GPT and Google AI, the topic has risen to the forefront of conversation. In this episode, Bernardo Tiburcio of DuPont and Patrick Callahan of LabWare will explore the integration of AI in the business world, its current impact, future potential, and how it can enhance workplace efficiency.

In Delaware, the phrase "Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything" has become all too familiar in the housing industry. Fluctuating interest rates, material costs, and inventory have made housing a hot topic of discussion in the First State. The demand for various types of housing—affordable, workforce, senior, and seasonal—is great to support the needs of Delawareans. Sitting down at the table are Preston Schell of Ocean Atlantic Companies and Logan Herring of the WRK Group, who will explore the triumphs and shortcomings of housing in Delaware, and what's next on the horizon.

Delaware is embracing its moment in the spotlight. With a growing population, a surge in businesses choosing the state for growth and relocation, a flourishing culinary scene, a thriving commercial airline, and a myriad of upcoming events, Delaware is fast becoming a premier destination to live, work, and play. Join us as Jen Boes from the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Stephen Williams from the Delaware River and Bay Authority explore how the First State can harness this momentum and turn it into a lasting success story.

Conversations with Kelly is back for season three! Stay tuned for the premiere on October 17th! Stay up to date on www.dscc.com/podcast.html

America is in the midst of a massive labor reallocation. Employers are struggling to find qualified talent, and employees are trying to keep up with rapidly developing technologies.The solution? Upskilling. Training our future and current workforce with the skills they need to meet these demands. Today, we talk about the steps employers are taking to give their employees stackable skills, how universities and other educational institutions are evolving beyond traditional degree pathways, and the movement of those who want to learn new skills and change career direction. At the table are Colleen Morrone – president and CEO of Goodwill of DE & DE County, and Dr. Darren Blackston, executive director of adult & continuing education, workforce development and training, assessment, and the connected degree program at Delaware State University.

It takes a lot to be a successful leader. The Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business program has been recognizing those small business leaders in the Delaware community for 25 years. Sitting down at the table today to discuss what makes a great leader is Brian DiSabatino, president and CEO of EDiS Company and Marie Holliday, managing director at Cover & Rossiter, both of whom lead businesses who have won the Superstars in Business award twice.

This week, we're sitting down with Senator Sarah McBride and Verna Hensley, the vice president of public affairs at Easterseals Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore, to discuss how to effectively get in touch with busy elected officials, and how advocates—for businesses or otherwise—can work with legislators for positive changes. We'll also explore the power of storytelling in advocacy, and why building relationships with your policymakers could be easier than you think.

The push to legalize recreational marijuana in Delaware has been going on for almost a decade, and despite previous vetoes by Governor Carney, it has passed within the legislature again. But what would the impact of legal, recreational marijuana be for Delawareans? At the table we have Peter S. Murphy from Saul Ewing, LLP—a lawyer who advises cannabis industry clients on licensing applications and compliance,—and John Gooden, president and COO of M. Davis & Sons. This episode explores what the new Delaware “green rush” might mean, both for employers who may have hesitations and for those who are ready to join the industry. NOTE: This episode was filmed prior to the passage of House Bill 1 & 2. As of April 1, 2023, both bills are waiting for action by Governor John Carney. To learn more and stay up-to-date on recreational marijuana in Delaware, visit www.DSCC.com/LegislativeJournal or contact our policy director, Tyler Micik at tmicik@dscc.com. 

What really makes a difference when it comes to mental well-being at work? In this episode, we'll delve into why mental wellness isn't an issue that can be shifted by providing resources individually – and talk about how systemic changes – things like better management, organization, and clearer communication – can reduce stress and make our workplaces healthier. At the table today is Dr. Heather Farley, chief wellness officer at ChristianaCare and Jacqueline Elaine Catalano, the director of facilities management and site services at AstraZeneca.

With Boomers delaying retirement, Gen Xers in top management roles, Millennials moving up the ladder, and Gen Z entering the workforce, there are four generations working side-by-side in the workplace, with wildly different priorities, communication styles, habits, and career goals.In the Season Two premiere of Conversations with Kelly, Jim Lee of Strategic Foresight Investments (StratFi), and Michael Smith of Navient sit down to discuss how we can work together harmoniously, and how older generations can support their younger colleagues and mentees.

Conversations with Kelly is back for season two! Stay tuned for the premiere on March 7th! Stay up to date on www.dscc.com/podcast

In our final episode of season 1, we're talking about remote work. The shift towards remote positions is having a huge impact on what we've come to expect from our jobs – and what employers have to do to remain attractive to new hires. At the table with me today are two experts in the field of Human Resources, Megan Couch, the Chief Experience Officer at Integrity Staffing Solutions, and Susan Kelliher, the Senior Vice President of People at Chemours. This conversation was recorded at the Chemours Headquarters in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Today we're talking about Site Readiness. For those of you who may not know exactly what that is, Site Readiness is everything that needs to happen to transform an empty space into a potential site for a new business. Delaware is poised to reintroduce a number of bills that will help improve efficiency throughout this process and kickstart development projects. At the table with me today is Trisha Newcomer with the City of Seaford, and Shane Breakie of Chesapeake Utilities. This conversation was recorded at Seaford City Hall, in Seaford Delaware.

Today, on “Conversations with Kelly”, we're talking about data. Or is it "Day-tuh?" However you choose to pronounce it, data is the most important tool that businesses can use to drive decisions in the workplace. But only if you know where to find it, when to capture it and how to analyze it. We sat down with Data Scientist, Ryan Harrington, from the Data Innovation Lab, and small business owner and active Data user, Tanya Williamson, of Married to the Ring. This conversation was recorded at CSC Station in downtown Wilmington, DE.

On this episode, it's all about internships. Most of us has had an internship, but whether or not we've had a good one may be debatable. But when internships are done right, they can be very valuable – both as recruitment and training tools for businesses and as pathways to new jobs for interns. We are sitting down with with CSC's Catrina Jefferson, who helped build and launch the Intern Delaware program, and Brody Hudson–an intern turned full-time accountant with Belfint, Lyons, and Shuman, CPAs. This conversation was recorded at CSC Station in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Today, on “Conversations with Kelly”, you guessed it! It's all about workforce development. Right here in Delaware, we have what some people consider to be one of the best workforce development and training programs in the nation, ZipCode Wilmington. But can this model be used for other industries which are facing a shortage of qualified workers? Today, we're speaking with two people who are at the forefront of this conversation, Desa Burton, the Executive Director of ZipCode Wilmington, and Scott Malfitano of the Delaware Workforce Development Board.

On our first episode of "Conversations with Kelly", we're exploring the importance of workplace culture. At the table today are two Delaware business owners who run companies known for their great workplace culture. This conversation was recorded at Bluecoast Grill and Raw Bar in Rehoboth, Delaware.

Introducing Conversations with Kelly, the new show from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Subscribe to stay up to date on new episodes!