Kentucky Workforce Summit - Agenda

Agenda is tentative and subject to change.

8:00 a.m. 
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors and Exhibitors

8:30 a.m.     
Welcome
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center 
    
The State of Kentucky’s Workforce 
Jamie Link, Secretary, Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet 
Additional speakers TBA
Moderator: LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

Kentucky businesses face significant workforce challenges, yet only 15% collaborate with government, education, and nonprofits to address them. In this session, hear from business leaders and state government representatives as they discuss the Statewide Workforce and Talent Team (SWATT) and its efforts to simplify the workforce system, foster collaboration, and drive impactful employer-led solutions. Gain insights into the needs of the private sector, the growing importance of public-private partnerships, and emerging trends in Kentucky’s workforce and economy. Explore strategies for creating a unified approach to talent attraction, development, and retention to keep Kentucky’s economy thriving.

9:15 a.m. 
Inside Employees’ Minds: Key Insights for Engagement and Culture 
Kelley Bright, Partner, Kentucky & Tennessee Office Leader, Mercer 
Kaylan Caufield, Senior Analyst, Mercer

Join us for an insightful session on Mercer’s latest “Inside Employees’ Minds” study, which delves into the evolving landscape of employee sentiment and engagement. This comprehensive research reveals trends shaping the workforce, including the impact of hybrid work models, mental health considerations, and the importance of purpose-driven employment. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into what employees truly value, how organizations can enhance their workplace culture, and strategies for fostering a more engaged and productive workforce. Discover actionable takeaways to help your organization thrive in today’s dynamic environment. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand the minds of your employees and drive meaningful change!  

10:30 a.m. 
Session and Speakers TBA

11:30 a.m. 
The Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers 
Kerry Harvey, Secretary, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 
     
Join Kerry Harvey, the Governor's Special Advisor on Reentry Programs, as he discusses the critical importance of reentry initiatives in Kentucky and the goals of the newly established Governor’s Council of Second Chance Employers. Learn how these efforts aim to enhance public safety, reduce recidivism, and strengthen the workforce by creating pathways for individuals reentering society. This session will explore the role of public-private partnerships in advancing second-chance hiring and the transformative potential of reentry programs for Kentucky’s economy and communities.

12:00 p.m. 
Luncheon Keynote – Decoding the Emerging Workforce: Navigating the Future of Employee Retention and Engagement
Danny Nelms, CEO and President, Work Institute

In the face of dramatic shifts in the workplace landscape, from a global pandemic to the widespread adoption of remote work, U.S. employers are confronted with a new and often unpredictable workforce. The rules of talent management have changed. As we enter 2025, the idea of a return to "business as usual" is no longer realistic. High turnover rates, evolving employee expectations, and the pressures of a volatile economy make a fresh, innovative approach essential.

This session delivers data-driven insights and practical strategies to help organizations adapt to these unprecedented shifts. Attendees will explore the latest trends in workforce dynamics, gain a clear understanding of the key drivers of employee retention, and leave prepared to build effective retention strategies tailored to the emerging workforce.

1:45 p.m.  
An Emerging Challenge: Work as a Social Determinant of Health     
Shirley Kron, BSN, BSW, RN, Director Outreach and Engagement, RETAIN Kentucky 
Dennis McClain, MD FACEP, ABIME, ABEM, MROCC, Medical Director, Norton Occupational Medicine 
Ashley Montgomery-Yates, MD, FCCM, Senior Vice Chair for the Department of Internal Medicine, Director of the UK ICU Recovery Clinic 
Jessica Sass, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, NEA-BC – Executive Director of Population Health at UKHC and a Nurse Practitioner for Family & Community Medicine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that work is included as a social determinant for health due to the impacts of work on health, including an individual's income, healthcare access, and housing. Despite this, work is not included in all public health data collection, and thus, research and interventions toward bettering health disparities are stifled without this key aspect of individuals' lives. Over eighty percent of health outcomes for an individual are determined by the social determinants of health. This clarifies the importance of vocational rehabilitation professionals, employers, and healthcare professionals to collaborate in helping workers with disabilities stay in the labor force. The nature of work has changed in recent decades, leading to new psychosocial and physical exposures that can contribute to health disparities. An inclusive labor market, with broad possibilities for paid and rewarding employment for all, is essential for optimal population health and reducing disparities. Healthy working conditions have great potential to improve the lives of individuals with emerging disabilities and chronic diseases. Hear Kentucky healthcare providers and leaders discuss training and education initiatives in progress for providers in Kentucky to support a productive workforce.

2:30 p.m. 
Ready for Industry: Complimentary Training Tool for the Key Sectors of Manufacturing, Healthcare, IT, Transportation, Logistics, Architecture and Construction 
Michelle DeJohn, Deputy Commissioner, Kentucky Career Center, Department of Workforce Development

The Kentucky Career Center knows a competent workforce drives economic growth and corporate success. We are pleased to offer the Ready for Industry training tool to demonstrate our dedication to enabling businesses and talent through excellent job training. The game-changing project boosts manufacturing, healthcare, IT, transportation, logistics, architecture and construction.
 
Ready for Industry is a robust virtual career preparation platform offering critical industry insights and credentials for high-demand fields. With its superior online career training, the platform equips trainees with the skills to secure jobs, enhance their abilities and advance their careers. It supplements traditional education by consistently providing factual information and fostering a positive perception of these professions.

Join us to explore how Ready for Industry can be a transformative resource, offering hope and optimism for developing talent and a prepared workforce.

3:15 p.m. 
Building Effective School-Business Partnerships to Strengthen Kentucky's Workforce
Todd Baldwin, Vice-President and Director, Center for Best Practice and Innovation, The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence 
Delaney Stephens, Director of Policy, Meaningful Diplomas, The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

Recent data from the Kentucky 2024 Meaningful Diploma Employer Survey reveals a critical opportunity: while 84% of employers believe school partnerships are crucial for workforce development, only 20% report frequent interaction with schools. This significant gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Kentucky's future workforce development, especially at a time when over 30% of high school students are entering the workforce directly upon high school graduation. This dynamic session brings together business leaders and innovative education partners who have successfully bridged this divide. We'll explore how to transform the overwhelming interest in partnerships (55% of employers expressing strong interest) into practical, sustainable collaboration that addresses employers' most pressing concerns about workforce readiness. Drawing from current success stories across Kentucky, our panel will demonstrate how strategic school business partnerships are tackling key issues identified in the 2024 survey: building durable skills (prioritized by 78.5% of employers), expanding work-based learning opportunities (with 65.1% of employers ready to participate), and developing crucial workplace competencies where graduates currently fall short. Participants will engage with both panel experts and peers to workshop and co-design specific criteria and strategies for effective school-business partnerships in developing critical workplace competencies demanded by Kentucky's business community.

4:30 p.m.
Wrap Up and Day One Adjourns
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center 
 

8:00 a.m.     
Registration and Continental Breakfast with Sponsors and Exhibitors

8:30 a.m. 
Welcome
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

Trust Catalyst: The Formula for Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety 
Vitale Buford Hardin, President & CEO, Vitale & Company

Trust is the most important ingredient in creating a workplace where performance, belonging, innovation, and authenticity thrive. And we've been ignoring the biggest obstacle to building trust “perfectionism”. You cannot have a high-trust workplace and a high-perfectionism workplace. And we know that 85 percent of workplaces have cultures of perfectionism so then we also know the same number of workplaces have low trust. We are in a workplace era where trust is no longer negotiable. So how do leaders overcome their perfectionism problem, and start building a psychologically safe environment? Join us to become a catalyst for trust and psychological safety in your organization. Together, we can create workplaces where every team member feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best.

9:30 a.m. 
Leading With Care: An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Leadership 
Kellie Burke, PHR, MBA, MSW, CSW, LMSW, DEI Lead, Humana

Trauma-Informed Leadership shifts the focus to empathy and understanding of the person you're interacting with. Incorporating these skills in your leadership will translate to a more engaged and resilient workforce in addition to higher efficacy and efficiency. In this session, participants will explore the definition, recognize the signs of trauma, as well as the impacts on holistic well-being. They will learn actionable skills to implement in day-to-day interactions to mitigate the adverse effects and avoid re-traumatization.

10:30 a.m. 
Rising Leaders Panel
Dr. Charles Aull, Executive Director, Center of Policy and Research, Kentucky Chamber
Kimwanga (Kimbo) Mafuta, Intern, Rising Leaders Academy 
Amanda Wooldridge, Career Development Assistant Manager, Commonwealth Credit Union 
Student – TBD
Moderator: Callie Miracle, Director, Workforce Center, Kentucky Chamber

Join us for an insightful session where employers and students will share their experiences with work-based learning and leadership training.

11:15 a.m.
Beyond Treatment: How Kentucky Recovery Vocational Combines Workforce Training and Recovery Support for Lasting Change
Jeric DeVore, CEO, S.P.A.R.C Recovery

Kentucky Recovery Vocational (KRV) is revolutionizing recovery through a comprehensive approach that extends beyond traditional treatment to address employment and life barriers for individuals affected by substance use disorder. provides crucial support services, including over 460 identification documents, 150 phones, and free transportation. Targeted case management assists clients with SNAP applications (over 120 submitted), scheduling essential dental (130+) and eye appointments (90+), and more.

Attendees will explore how KRV's wraparound model, combining vocational training with clinical support, medical care, and peer support, empowers participants to overcome employment barriers, fostering independence and stability. This holistic approach has become a model for sustainable recovery, workforce integration, and economic resilience.

12:00 p.m. 
Luncheon Introduction 
LaKisha Miller, Executive Director, Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center

Luncheon Keynote – Empowering Communities: How Top Employers Drive Workforce Development and Engagement 
Candra Bryant, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, COO, Hanna Resource Group

Join business leaders from Kentucky’s award-winning Best Places to Work as they share innovative strategies for developing a strong, skilled workforce that supports local economic growth.

This insightful conversation will explore how these exemplary organizations are actively tapping into the community workforce and implementing key initiatives to attract, train, and retain top talent across Kentucky.

1:45 p.m. 
Building Kentucky's Workforce through Public Private Partnerships
Michaela Mineer, Program Manager, Healthcare Workforce Initiatives, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education 
Leslie Sizemore, PhD, EdS, OTR/L, Associate Vice President, Workforce and Economic Initiatives, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education

As labor supply shrinks, and demand for services grows, critical services systems are struggling to keep up with workforce demands, a national trend that became more evident following the pandemic. Kentucky’s Council on Postsecondary Education set forth a plan to invest in a sustainable healthcare workforce by acting as a convener to partner higher education and employers. Through multiple efforts including the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund created by HB 200 and the AERO Act created by SB 127, funding is built to enhance scholarship training grants, incentive award grants for exemplary programs, and equipment grants. These efforts were supported through Kentucky’s General Assembly and contributions from employer partners and demonstrate a successful step in igniting innovative solutions for expansion of the healthcare talent pipeline. Funding guidelines utilized specific metrics for success such as expanded opportunities for underrepresented minority groups, wrap around services for at risk students, and alliances between P12 institutions, community colleges, and regional universities. These targets were initiated for the purposes of accelerating healthcare career pathways that lead to student success, access to quality healthcare services, and a thriving Kentucky economy.

2:30 p.m. 
Solving the Teacher Shortage: Leveraging Apprenticeships to Create a Resilient and Inclusive Pathway to Teaching
Ken Kippenbrock, Executive Director – Human Resources and Operations, Covington Independent Public Schools 
Gretchen Wetzel, Executive Director, West Kentucky Educational Cooperative

This presentation will explore the critical role of collaboration between workforce boards and school districts in implementing successful on-the-job paraprofessional-to-teacher apprenticeship training programs. As school districts face ongoing teacher shortages and the need for a diverse, well-prepared workforce, workforce boards bring essential resources, expertise, and funding opportunities that support apprenticeships and career development. This collaborative approach not only addresses immediate staffing needs but also strengthens the educator pipeline by creating a sustainable pathway for paraprofessionals, many of whom reflect the communities they serve, to advance within the field. Attendees will gain insights into best practice, potential funding streams, and partnership strategies that can help districts and workforce boards create a resilient and inclusive pathway to teaching careers.

3:15 p.m. 
Registered Apprenticeship: A Proven Return on the Investment
Michelle DeJohn, Deputy Commissioner, Kentucky Career Center, Department of Workforce Development

Employee training and development programs must recruit and retain talent to grow and compete in today’s workforce. A national US Department of Labor certificate certifies registered apprenticeship, the highest level for attracting, training, and keeping talent. In this informative session, you’ll discover the unmatched benefits of registered apprenticeship programs, with practical insights that you can apply to your business immediately. Industry experts and workforce development professionals will discuss how these programs are a training solution and strategic investment in your business’s future.

4:00 p.m.    
10th Annual Kentucky Workforce Summit Adjourns