PARTNERS IN PROGRESS: Manufacturing Updates & Supply Chain Resilience

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PARTNERS
IN
PROGRESS.

Details

Location
Link will be provided after registration
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Contact

Camryn Tunney

ctunney@imec.org
Event Tags

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to be part of a crucial conversation involving economic, industry, and community resources all dedicated to helping manufacturers like you not just survive but thrive.

This month’s interactive webinar will feature leadership from Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, IMEC, and IMA, presenting the top 5 things you should be aware of this month to prepare for a promising 2024 from our designated organizations. We will also take a deep dive into the critical topics of supply chain resiliency as it is important to your business’s future growth and productivity.

At the end of this session, there will be plenty of time for questions, feedback, and answers regarding your specific needs and circumstances. Top level leadership is encouraged to attend to help be the voice of Illinois manufacturers in this discussion.

Key takeaways from this interactive session include:

  • Examples of already available resources but also provide insights on how to access and utilize them effectively.
  • Address your specific needs, and that’s why we’ve set aside ample time for questions, feedback, and answers tailored to your concerns.
  • Opportunity to connect with peers, engage with stakeholders in the same industry.
  • Provide actionable steps for future opportunities.

Take this chance to learn, network, and ensure your business is well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in 2024.

 

Presenter

Kristin A. Richards

Director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Kristin A. Richards was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) by Governor JB Pritzker in January 2023. In this capacity, Richards oversees the Department’s mission of spurring equitable economic development and creating a positive economic climate to attract job creators, support Illinois’ skilled workforce and bolster communities to improve the quality of life and provide economic opportunities for Illinoisans across the state. DCEO’s diverse portfolio includes leading the state’s business attraction and expansion efforts, issuing capital infrastructure grants to spur economic development in communities, providing Illinoisans with utility bill assistance, and leading the state’s tourism efforts, among others. Richards has spent more than two decades as a public servant for the State of Illinois where she garnered a reputation for solving complex issues by working closely with stakeholders to forge strong coalitions. Prior to joining DCEO, Richards served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) where she led the state’s pandemic response for Illinoisans affected by job loss. In that role, she created and implemented new, complex federal pandemic-era unemployment insurance programs. Throughout her career, Richards has held various leadership roles in the executive and legislative branches – serving three governors and serving as Chief of Staff for two Senate presidents. In her time with the Illinois Senate, she led the state’s budget-making process for seven consecutive years and played a critical role in bipartisan negotiations that ended a two-year budget impasse – restoring critical programs and putting the state on the path toward fiscal stability. Richards was raised in Belleville, Illinois, and currently resides in Chicago.

Sarah Hartwick

VP of Education & Workforce Policy and Exec Director of the Education Foundation, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association

Sarah Hartwick is Vice President Education & Workforce Policy and Executive Director, IMA Education Foundation for the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. Prior to joining the IMA in 2021, Sarah was previously the Executive Director of ED-RED, a suburban public school district advocacy organization. Sarah has also served as the Co-Director for Legislative Affairs at the Illinois State Board of Education and has worked with education advocacy organizations including Advance Illinois and the Illinois Head Start Association. Sarah has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in political studies with minors in both communications and economics. Sarah has four children.

David Boulay, Ph.D.

President, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center

My leadership has developed from diverse settings that extend from a family-owned business, to manufacturing, universities and non-profits. These various experiences help guide our public-private partnership’s strategic direction to serve as a catalyst for small and mid-sized company competitiveness. I grew up in a family-owned business where I learned first-hand about the trial, challenges, and pride that I see in the owners and leaders of companies we work with today. I recognize their situations, understand their challenges and have the tools and knowledge to help accomplish their goals. I have also had the good fortune to work in various manufacturing roles from food plant sanitation to maintenance supervision to production, plant manager and business unit manager in companies such as Frito-Lay and Pillsbury. Through these experiences, I learned how company success is reliant on the skills and talents of its’ workforce. This has driven my passion in human resource development. My Ph.D. included a primary focus on high performance work practices in small and mid-sized companies and career pathways for workers. I bring a diverse blend of expertise in performance management, small business development, and organizational growth strategies to IMEC. I have helped create and implement several initiatives to increase the flow of state and federal funding to manufacturers for projects, update worker skills, and help smaller manufacturers adopt new technology and business practices to improve energy efficiency.

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