“I learned so much – and had great reflection and deeper understanding on how to improve and change our approach.”
That’s what Barbara Gunderson, AmeriCorps LEAP Director at the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation had to say after participating in the February 2022 Workforce Wednesday focused on Strategies for Engaging with Minnesota’s BIPOC Workforce.
Expert panelists included Miguel Rocha, Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at Mortenson, Angel Uddin, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota, Mary Knudsen, HR Manager at Grede, and Lana Oswaldson, Band Member Recruitment Manager and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. More than 200 employers and others participated in the virtual meeting.
The panelists detailed promising practices for hiring and retaining BIPOC talent and engaged in deep discussion about creating truly welcoming and inclusive workplaces. Employers got their questions answered by the panelists, either through chat or during the bonus “unplugged” half hour when they could turn on their camera, unmute themselves and engage more directly with panelists.
Workforce Wednesday sessions take place the first Wednesday of every month starting at 11am and are led by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Workforce Strategy Consultant team. This series of virtual meetings focuses on highlighting proven strategies to build talent pipelines, hearing and sharing best practices, and networking with other Minnesota employers about all things workforce.
- Check out a blog featuring some highlights from the February 2 Workforce Wednesday session.
- Register for the upcoming Workforce Wednesday session on March 2 focused on Recruiting and Retaining People with Disabilities
- You can view a schedule of upcoming sessions, plus see recordings and other resources from past sessions at CareerForceMN.com/WorkforceWednesday
