The Workforce Equation: Why Child Care Matters for Ohio Businesses: January 2025

Description

Join the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce for a statewide Child Care Summit presented in partnership with Groundwork Ohio, Preschool Promise and Wright State University. This half-day event will bring together Ohio's business, government and community leaders to explore the critical link between child care and workforce & economic development. Attendees will discuss the economic impact of childcare and learn about innovative solutions and strategies to support businesses and their workforce.  

Sessions Include:*

• 8:30AM - Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Chris Kershner, President & CEO, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce
    
    
• Thriving Families, Thriving Businesses: Ohio's Commitment to Early Learning
  
  
• Setting the Stage for the Discussion: Why Are Business Leaders Talking About Child Care?
  • Shannon Jones, Senior Advisor to Groundwork Ohio and Warren County Commissioner
    
    
• Sounding the Alarm: The Business Case for Child Care
  • Caitlin Codella Low, Managing Director of Human Capital, Bipartisan Policy Center 
  • Aaron Merchen, Senior Director of Policy & Programs, US Chamber Foundation
  • Janetta King, Midwest Regional Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Voices 
  • Michelle Bryant, Partner – Ohio, McKinsey & Company
  • Stephanie Keinath, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce (moderator)
    
    
• Learning from Business: Solutions to Child Care Challenges
  • Olivia Rosenthal, Co-founder & Co-CEO, Patch Caregiving 
  • Ron Holbrook, Corporate Affairs, SugarCreek 
  • Siran Cao, Co-founder & CEO, Mirza 
  • Dr. Charles Aull, Executive Director, The Kentucky Chamber Center for Policy and Research 
  • Robyn Lightcap, Executive Director, Preschool Promise (moderator)
    
    
• Federal Action, Local Impact: Addressing Child Care Needs at WPAFB
  
  
• Strategic Support: Why the Military Prioritizes Child Care for Readiness
  • Linda Smith, Director of Policy, Buffet Early Childhood Institute
  • Donna J Blackburn, NH 3 DAF, Chief, Child and Youth Services Flight 88 FSS/FSY
  • Sue Edwards, President, Wright State University (moderator)
    
    
• The CHIPS Act: Why the Semiconductor Industry Is Talking About Child Care 
  • Michelle Williams-Vaden, Executive Director, SEMI Foundation
  • JP Nauseef, President & CEO, Jobs Ohio (moderator)
    
    
• 11:45AM - Closing & Call to Action
  • Lynanne Gutierrez, President & CEO, Groundwork Ohio
  • Deborah Feldman, President & CEO, Dayton Children's Hospital

Event Partners:

*Agenda subject to change.