LEADER LUNCH BREAK ARCHIVE

Dr. Bohrer kicked off by covering what the liberal arts are, their history. He touched on the key components of a modern liberal arts education, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills that are highly sought after by employers. He also dispelled some of the common critiques of the liberal arts.

Marcia shared her personal journey from Chile to the United States, highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants in professional settings. She focused on the growing Latino workforce which, despite its significant population in the U.S. and Ohio, remains underrepresented in leadership roles. Marcia discussed her initiative, 100 Plus Latinos, designed to promote Latino excellence and foster community connections. She emphasized the need for organizations to become “Latino ready” and creating inclusive workplaces that support Latino talent through visibility, access, and mentorship. She announced the initiative’s expansion across Ohio, encouraging attendees to engage relationally with Latino professionals and help recruit participants.

Nancy provided an overview of the organization’s mission to enhance child care quality and connect families with essential resources across Northeast Ohio. She emphasized the critical role of early childhood development in fostering better educational outcomes and economic stability. Nancy introduced the Business Porter pilot program, designed to mitigate economic losses from inadequate childcare by encouraging businesses to contribute towards childcare costs, with state matching funds.

Trina discussed the bank’s commitment to community service and its significant investments in affordable housing and community development, totaling over $50 billion since 2017. She highlighted the bank’s bicentennial celebration, which includes a $5.4 million investment in local initiatives and the establishment of the KeyBank Heritage Center.

Ethan focused on the importance of collaboration in the manufacturing sector and its impact on leadership and workforce development. He offered five lessons from manufacturing that every leader can use. He shared personal anecdotes about how mentorship and collaboration have shaped his career and how he fosters trust and psychological safety within MAGNET.

Ethan highlighted the critical role of partnerships between MAGNET and educational institutions to prepare graduates for diverse manufacturing roles, advocating for a workforce blueprint that aligns educational programs with industry needs. He addressed the challenges of technology adoption, particularly regarding AI, urging leaders to engage employees in the process to alleviate fears and resistance. He explored the balance between collaboration and competition within manufacturing, suggesting that while protecting trade secrets is essential, working together can enhance supply chains and drive innovation. He also noted the complexities of competition in the civic sector and stressed the importance of focusing on shared missions and goals.

Kumar shared insights from his two-decade journey in entrepreneurship, beginning with the launch of his own ventures during the 2008 job market crisis. and his role as the youngest investor on the TV show “Cleveland Hustles.” He emphasized the significance of self-education, mentorship, and resilience, particularly in overcoming investment failures. His initiatives through Aurora Ventures span various sectors, including consumer goods and real estate, with a focus on social impact and community revitalization.