NASA research shows that reducing global emissions would prevent about 1.4 million hospitalizations and emergency room visits, 300 million lost workdays, and 440 million tons of crop losses in the U.S. alone. Addressing this global crisis is a priority to customers, investors, and employees alike. Andy Wirth of AstraZeneca and Drew Getty from Perdue Farms sat at the table to discuss why being an environmentally conscious company is not only about doing good, it’s also good business.

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power.

After more than three decades at the company, Phil Vavala brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of region president at Delmarva Power. A born and raised Delawarean, Phil shares his career journey - from intern to president - top priorities for the company, and Delmarva Power’s approach to workforce transitions and cleaner energy.

This episode is sponsored by the Christiana Mall.

It’s no secret that businesses are struggling for talent. Once you find those all-star employees, it becomes paramount to retain them. And understanding the concept of career progression and its importance to boosting employee engagement, productivity, and retention can help. In this episode, Keisha Morris of Bayhealth and Michelle Ray of Blackwell HR Solutions will explore the intricacies of developing your employees’ careers, offering insights, strategies, and real-world examples on how professional development initiatives will not only lift your employees but also your organization.

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power.

Chris Counihan, director of the Division of Paid Leave at the Delaware Department of Labor, joins Kelly to delve into the details of the new Delaware Paid Leave program, which takes effect in 2026. 

For more information on Delaware Paid Leave, visit DE.gov/paidleave. Questions can be emailed to PFML@delaware.gov or directed to the 24/7 call center at 302-761-8375.

It’s not news that the news is in trouble. Your morning paper is thinner than it used to be. Important elections sneak up on you. You hear rumors of something that happened down the street or around the corner, and the lack of news coverage leaves you wondering what to believe. In this season 4 premiere, Ivan Thomas of DETV and Allison Levine of the Local Journalism Initiative will dive into the importance of strong, independent local journalism and how it connects to a better quality of life for all.

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.