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What Matters Most in Business

What Matters Most in Business

As the year winds to a close, my mind is on counting and on assessment—data, year-end numbers, numbers of people served, numbers of jobs procured, and of course, and so importantly, the relevant, sustainable impact of our work on those we serve.

But, too, at this time of year, I am focused on what matters most in our business—or in any business for that matter. The engine, the driver, the cause, the effect, and the reason for being: people. While it might seem obvious, we often forget that it is people and our connection to them that makes us thrive.

Recently I read an article that suggested that Human Resources should be renamed: Human Assets. The author of the article reminded us that resources get depleted and used up. But assets are nurtured, tended, and cultivated to grow.

Every single transaction we have with another person—whether it be colleague or contractor, consumer or case worker, donor or delivery person—has the potential to be transformational. How we treat one another—whether we’re walking down the hallway and greet someone or we send a quick email—has an opportunity to lift up the other person, to call out their best selves. As managers, we can call on and help build the strengths of people we work with and those we serve. When our managers and our colleagues see those strengths and call on them, we get taller, we grow, we are more confident, and we tend to put our greatest assets to work. Calling on strengths is how we help those we serve grow their confidence, their abilities, and their creativity.

As we celebrate the holidays, I am reminded of how grateful I am for our board, my colleagues, our donors and all of the creative people who make our work the boon that it is. And I am so grateful to those who come through our doors—willing to be vulnerable and willing to be helped. They teach us about the strength required to reach out and to connect—something we all aspire to on a daily basis. We have so much to learn from each other. I look forward to the coming year and to connecting with more of you, knowing that by doing so, I will learn more and grow and our company will be that much stronger.

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Courage: The First and Most Essential Skill

Courage: The First and Most Essential Skill

Courage is the first of human qualities because it’s the quality which guarantees the others.

–Aristotle

 

A lot of people believe that courage is something that you’re born with. And yes, there are some people who are born braver than others, but the majority of us have to learn—and build—courage as we go along.

Aristotle said that “courage is the first of human qualities.” I agree. And I believe that courage is among the most essential skills of a good leader.

Courage shows up for all of us in a number of ways. First, it takes courage to take initiative. And taking initiative involves risk. As an employee, taking initiative, working on something beyond the scope of a job description, proposing a new direction, a new idea, or a new intervention means that they are risking failure—risking owning an idea that may not work.

Another way courage shows up is in speaking up. Speaking “truth to power” can rattle a supervisor or disrupt the flow of a project trajectory. But speaking up is absolutely critical to making a difference and creating change and growth.

Courage also shows up as letting go of the need to control outcomes. This is a tough one for many people. In leadership, letting go means trusting the collective brain of your team.

So how do you “learn” courage? You learn it by practicing 1) taking initiative, 2) speaking up, and 3) letting go of the need to control. And as a leader, you lead it by creating an environment where  the people you hire can develop a courageous spirit.

Without courage, learning cannot happen. Atrophy sets in and strength withers.

The best employees are those who are willing to stretch their skills—to learn something they do not know, to ask questions and to try a new idea. These are the attributes I look for in a leader, these are the characteristics or the DNA we seek to develop through our Leadership Academy and these are the attributes we encourage throughout our organization.

I am curious: how do you build your courage “muscles?” And, as a leader, how do you encourage it in those you lead?

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Cultivating a Strategic Thinking Habit

Cultivating a Strategic Thinking Habit

I love to scratch things off the to-do list. It is tempting (and easy) to deal with what’s directly in front of me—I feel accomplished and as if I have actually executed on something and achieved it. And then it’s on to the next thing.

Scratching tasks off the list is great, but as a leader, I know I need to be spending the majority of my time thinking strategically—and doing things that are most strategic for my organization. To be a strategic leader and thinker, and to lead other strategic leaders and thinkers, there are a few key traits I try to cultivate and that I look for in my leadership team. These are not necessarily traits that can be easily scratched off a list.

The first is critical thinking. Critical thinking means challenging the status quo and basically questioning everything. It means looking at the root cause of whatever problem needs to be solved and asking how it became a problem in the first place, why it is a problem, what the consequences are, and what the long-term results will be. It means flipping orthodoxies—meaning questioning even the most basic premise–and determining if there is a better way. It means being creative—often wild—in thinking beyond the boundaries of what is. No question is too much. No solution is too crazy (at least at first).

Another trait is the ability to anticipate. You don’t drive a car forward by looking in the rearview mirror. You look ahead and you look from side to side to see what is in your peripheral vision. The same is true as you think strategically. You look ahead—always—and you watch what’s coming around the corner. What are the political trends? What social trends are creating a force beyond your immediate vision? What is happening with the life of foundations that might affect your funding? What risks might you encounter that you haven’t yet anticipated?

A strategic leader also needs courage. This means anticipating and managing risk. It means naming the “elephant” in the room and bringing tough things to the surface. It means being willing to stand alone in a roomful of dissenters.

And a strategic leader needs to be willing to decide. It’s so easy to get caught up in “analysis paralysis.” By bringing together great critical thinking, well thought-out anticipation, and brave courage, decisions come more easily. And yes, sometimes the decisions will not be perfect so a strategic leader must be willing—and able—to pivot. And even if a decision is not perfect, it’s okay to move to a decision that is good enough.

What other characteristics do you think can help cultivate a strategic approach to leadership? As always, I welcome your thoughts.

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2017 Celebration of the Power of Possible

2017 Celebration of the Power of Possible

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On November 27th, the Fedcap family of agencies hosted its inaugural Possible of Possible Gala. Guided by the belief that we are better together, Fedcap, Single Stop USA, Easterseals, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, ReServe and Wildcat honored distinguished supporters, and the individuals and families we are privileged to serve. Over 400 people attended the evening event at Gotham Hall in Manhattan.

Fedcap President and CEO Christine McMahon talked about the meaning of the Power of Possible. “These powerful words serve as the foundation for what we do every single day across our growing family of agencies. When you believe that achieving a dream is possible., and when you are inspired by those around you to aim high, dreams become reality.”

In introductory remarks, Fedcap Board Chair Mark O’Donoghue spoke about the transformation and growth of the Fedcap family of agencies, and the opportunity to impact more lives. Asking the audience to consider what the Power of Possible can accomplish, Mark introduced a Year in Review video that powerfully highlighted the agencies’ collective work in 2017. Michael Friedman, Chair of the Easterseals New York Board of Directors, offered greetings from the Easterseals community, saying Easterseals “is one of the most powerful voices in the country advocating for a world where people with disabilities have equal access to opportunities.”

Michael Weinstein, Chairman of the ReServe and Single Stop USA Boards of Directors, introduced a testimonial video to three esteemed members of the Fedcap community who passed away this year; Jack Rosenthal, ReServe co-founder and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist; Marty Silberberg, who served as Fedcap’s fifth board chair and was the first recipient of the Leo Mayer Award for Distinguished Service, and Bob Fawls, a member and past chair of the CWS Board of Director. “Marty was one of Fedcap’s most revered Board members, who always asked the hard questions. Jack Rosenthal was the ultimate optimist who believed in the ideals of equality and justice. Bob Fawls was one of the driving forces—really a life force– behind the continued growth of CWS in Boston.”

Col. David Sutherland, Chairman, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, was introduced by Fedcap board member Larry Ach, who described him as a “man that embodies the values of the army: honor, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, integrity and personal courage.” Col. Sutherland presented Frank Gaudio, Veterans Chairman, PwC Charitable Foundation Trustee and Leader of their Veterans Program Initiative, with the Dixon Center’s Eugene & Ruth Freedman Leadership Award.

Peter Samuels, Chair of Wildcat and member of Fedcap’s Board of Directors, introduced United States District Judge Deborah Batts, who was honored for her work and recognized the work of Fedcap and Wildcat. “I have seen the profound result of your work. What you do gives people second chances, you help them create a life with options and thus change lives for generations.”

Leslie Fields, a remarkable woman who overcame abuse, addiction and incarceration, shared her powerful story of perseverance and hope. “I didn’t give up. Believe in yourself, and never accept defeat.”

Fedcap board member Ken Raisler introduced Madison Pellegrino, a nine-year-old child who was inspired to start a business to raise funds for Easterseals, which did so much to help her little sister with Down’s Syndrome. “The most important thing I’ve learned is that just one small act of kindness can open a door to endless possibilities, and inspire other people to do the same,” Madison said.

In closing remarks, Fedcap board member Malvina Kay quoted the words of Winston Churchill – words that aptly describe what drives the work of the Fedcap family of agencies: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

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Survival of the Adaptable

Survival of the Adaptable

There is an old adage about people who can’t, won’t, or have trouble with change: “Like the dinosaurs, they didn’t adapt…” And what happened to the dinosaurs that didn’t adapt? They were doomed to extinction.

With today’s complexity and rapid change in both the for-profit and the non-profits worlds, adaptability to change is at the top of the list of skills that are required to lead and to execute innovation and the work of the day. Without adaptability, extinction is a real possibility.

Adaptability to change is a skill. While there are some people who find it easy to embrace change, those who struggle with it can acquire the approach and the skills necessary to move forward—and to lead—change.

Being adaptable to change means first, recognizing any resistance you have to it. Resistance is natural, as change can challenge our feelings of competence, rearrange relationships, and make us uncomfortable. What if we reframe our mindsets? What if, instead of resisting change, we think of it in a different way: change is growth; change is learning; change is improvement. When I think of change in this way, I get excited: What can I learn that will help me know more and make better decisions? This way of thinking lessens the anxiety about negative consequences of what might happen in the absence of knowing, to a “what if” mindset. I become a great experimenter, knowing that some ideas will work and some will not. Either way, I’ve learned something new.

Second, that the key to being change-agile is to be willing to experiment—quickly, often, and in a way that doesn’t sap too many resources. In this way, pilots, rapid response teams, and innovation incubators become a significant piece of strategy, structure, and approach to growth and problem-solving. With this experimentation comes a mindset that ensures quick mobilization once a solution or an approach is deemed worthy of pursuit. Sometimes this might result in a process improvement or, it could result in an entire course correction. I choose not to be afraid of either of these outcomes as I know that change is most often for the better.

Third is, of course, identifying the risks with any approach. Using the “what if” mindset excavates creative scenario planning, which helps create a safe and solid base from which to experiment.

And, fourth, key to being adaptable to change is to hire and cultivate those with an inventor—or a maverick—mindset. As a CEO, I certainly count on our extraordinary staff to challenge our processes, push back, and help us learn as an organization.

These days, if we focus solely on content and technical expertise in our respective fields, we are doomed to extinction. But if we become really good at learning new things and being open to growth and experimentation, we will remain fresh, we will keep learning, we will keep growing, we will keep making mistakes, and we will ultimately survive and thrive.

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Veterans Day: Getting to Know Our Veterans

Veterans Day: Getting to Know Our Veterans

Seventy-nine years ago, Veterans Day was officially designated as a national holiday by an act of Congress. Since then, November 11 has been a day to honor our veterans for their service to us all.

Many people see Veterans Day as a day to say, “Thank you for your service.” While this is a heartfelt greeting, many veterans will tell you that they would prefer a different sort of greeting. Instead, they would like to hear: “Tell me about your service.”

Fifty-seven thousand veterans are homeless. One and a half million veterans live at or below the poverty line. Progress is being made to help these veterans, but there are still many—particularly female veterans and those who are disabled—who are most at risk. Making connections, being heard, telling their story—are all ways our veterans can be honored even more than simply thanking them for their service. We would all benefit from hearing their stories—it won’t take very long—and it will go a long way for making many veterans feel seen, heard, and honored.

As the CEO of Fedcap, I am thrilled that we have combined with the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. This extraordinary organization exists to improve the quality of life for veterans and military families. Their vision is that every veteran can succeed in the communities where they live. Making connections between military and civilian life is an essential piece of their mission. We can all contribute to that noble mission by reaching out and connecting with veterans when we meet them, hearing their stories, and yes, thanking them for their extraordinary service.

To all United States veterans, I send my thanks, and I look forward to hearing more and more of your stories. I am eager to understand your experience and to celebrate all that you have contributed to this country. Happy Veterans Day.

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The Power of Possible: Locked Up, Fitting In, and Finally Free

The Power of Possible: Locked Up, Fitting In, and Finally Free

In a little less than a month, we will be gathering supporters of our family of agencies in a celebration of the Power of Possible. There, we will be hearing from individuals whose lives have changed because of the dedication, the passion, and the commitment of those who spend their days serving in one of our agencies—and from some who have been inspired to give back.  One of the populations that Fedcap serves is the previously incarcerated.  We are convinced that we can impact the high recidivism rates by working behind the walls to address mental health and substance use disorders that impact successful reentry, ensuring inmates have access to top notch training in high growth sectors and placing those leaving prison, and working with our 500+ business partners to create meaningful, living wage employment opportunities.  We do not have to accept the poor outcomes for individuals leaving prison.

Steve Hickman was born in Harlem to a large family with four brothers and sisters. His father worked hard, but on Friday nights he drank away his paycheck, which led to terrible fights with Steve’s mother. Eventually, his father left, and his mother raised the five children on her own.

Steve was savvy, “entrepreneurial” and tired of being poor. He dropped out of high school in the 12th grade and started selling drugs, following in the footsteps of his two older brothers. He never took drugs and never even drank alcohol…but sadly he sold many drugs to people who were addicted. Steve said, “I just wanted to fit in….then I got locked in….and then I got locked up.”

Steve’s first arrest came in 1991. He was sentenced to a 90-day boot camp. When he got out, he went  back to selling drugs. Steve recalls it being hard for him to walk away from all of that money. In 1993, he was arrested along with his two brothers and charged with conspiracy to sell drugs, which carried a 25-year prison sentence. While incarcerated, Steve missed his children growing up, the world changing, and the experience of living his 20’s and 30s as a free man. During this time, his mother died, and neither he nor his brothers were able to attend her funeral. To this day, he has not been able to shake the pain and feeling that his incarceration had contributed to her death. “The heartache was so bad I ran out of tears,” he said.

Prison life was difficult. However, at least the three brothers were together. They leaned on one another and kept each other on the straight and narrow. Even though they were doing time, they were also committed to becoming better human beings. Because they had each other, they did not get into drugs or gambling and, for the most part, no one caused them any problems. By the time Steve was released in 2012 (14 years later), at the age of 45, the world had changed completely for him. Despair set in and he didn’t know how he would be able to live or support himself in a world that seemed unrecognizable. Fortunately, Steve’s sister took him in and helped him get back on his feet. He had been working at a minimum wage job for about four months when his brother introduced Steve to his mentor at Fedcap, Mike Dunne. Fedcap saw great potential in Steve and hired him in 2013 to supervise Wildcat cleanup crews in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Within a few years he was promoted to area manager, supervising over 150 workers at 11 sites Recently, he began a new job with NYC Department of Homeless Services. Now he also serves as a mentor to the justice involved. He understands that they need what he needed – guidance, the courage to persevere, and a second chance. “Fedcap believed in me and gave me a second chance,” he said. “I have seen first-hand the difference I can make in helping to turn a young person’s life around, and it is the best feeling in the world.

Our Gala will be a remarkable celebration on Monday evening, November 27, in Manhattan’s Gotham Hall. It will be an opportunity to see and feel what it is like to participate in changing the lives of people like Steve Hickman and many others who have been inspired and helped by our family of agencies. With enthusiasm, we welcome your attendance at our Gala.

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Solution Series: The Employment of People with Disabilities: Moving Beyond Social Responsibility to a Business Solution

Solution Series: The Employment of People with Disabilities: Moving Beyond Social Responsibility to a Business Solution

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On October 3rd Fedcap held its 14th biannual Solution Series – The Employment of People with Disabilities: Moving Beyond Social Responsibility to a Business Solution. The overflow crowd included business partners, and representatives from community and government organizations that support the Fedcap family of agencies. If you were unable to attend the event, click here to view the Solution Series in its entirety.

Attendees were treated to an insightful and thought-provoking discussion of a topic of compelling interest to businesses large and small – why hiring people with disabilities is good for business. Panelists included:

• Elaine E. Katz – Senior Vice President for Grants and Communications, Kessler Foundation

• Larry Stubblefield – Assistant Administrator for the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights at the Small Business Administration

• Amanda Tierney – Regional Learning Center Manager, Workforce Initiatives, CVS Health

Fedcap President and CEO Christine McMahon welcomed the guests and thanks event sponsors Mutual of America and Staples. “One of the important themes that we will hear about today is that hiring people with disabilities is not just the right thing to do, it is good for business,” she said.

Martha Jackson, Assistant Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, spoke briefly, thanking Fedcap for its commitment to changing the lives of people with disabilities. Ms. Jackson talked about efforts of the Mayor’s Office to increase employment of people with disabilities, and to make NYC the most disability-friendly city in the world.

Elaine Katz said that among the benefits of employing people with disabilities are higher productivity and lower turnover. Research conducted by the Kessler Foundation shows that a culture of recruiting, hiring and retaining people with disabilities starts with a commitment by upper management. There is strong evidence that an inclusive culture increases the morale and productivity of all employees. Ms. Katz pointed out that the cost of workplace accommodations for people with disabilities is far lower than employers assume, and that tax credits and job training grants are available.

Amanda Tierney discussed CVS Health’s work with school districts in NYC. The company operates four work centers that replicate the retail environment, and serve as training centers for young adults with disabilities who are entering the workforce. A priority in these efforts is training job coaches. If the coaches are properly trained the employee is much more likely to succeed.

Larry Stubblefield discussed current legislative amendments that aim to increase the percentage of people with disabilities in the federal workforce. The US Small Business Administration undertook efforts to highlight success stories about employees with disabilities to help the agency “bust the myths, fears and stereotypes” about hiring people with disabilities that are still common in the workplace.

Mr. Stubblefield said that one in five Americans has a disability, and that many disabilities are unseen. He discussed SBA efforts on behalf of returning veterans, a number of whom have disabling injuries, and the importance of integrating them into the workforce. “As a society, we can tap into that talent pool, or pay for it in social costs,” he said.

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Fedcap 2017 Graduation Inspires All

Fedcap 2017 Graduation Inspires All

Fedcap’s annual Graduations are among the most inspiring events on our calendar. They take on special meaning because of the barriers that individuals must overcome to graduate. The Fedcap Career Design School, Fedcap School and Easterseals Child Development Centers all celebrated graduations in June, in moving ceremonies that inspired all who attended. 

On Wednesday June14th over 400 people gathered at John Jay College to celebrate Fedcap’s Career Design School Graduation ceremony. The joyous event recognized the courage and achievements of a remarkable group of individuals who overcome barriers and challenges to graduate.

Fedcap President and CEO Christine McMahon thanked the Fedcap board for their vision, and commitment to supporting the work of Fedcap. She offered powerful words for the graduates. “This day is the heart and soul of the work we do at Fedcap. This is about jobs, a great education, a living wage and a career.”

Mark O’Donoghue, Fedcap Board Chairman, said in a taped message that “it takes a tremendous amount of courage and commitment to start something and see it all the way through. Because of your courage and commitment doors will open to you that were previously shut.”

Don Harreld, Senior VP of Fedcap’s Education Practice Area, served as emcee for the event. He introduced Fedcap Board Member Ken Raisler, who thanked the graduates’ families, friends and partners for their support. “As you look out at the audience and see your families, friends and loved ones, I hope you are feeling the overwhelming sense of pride in yourselves that they feel about you. I encourage you to continue to believe in yourselves; to be bold, continue to work hard, and to pursue your dreams.”

Ken presented Fedcap’s Excellence in Vocational Education Award to Arnie Doren, ACCES VR Regional Business Relations Coordinator. In accepting the award Arnie thanked Fedcap for a 32- year partnership characterized by successful collaboration in helping individuals with disabilities identify their skills and strengths, and get the training and support they need to succeed in the workplace.

Graduates and Alumni of the Career Design School provided powerful testimony to the impact of Fedcap on their lives. James Branch graduated from Fedcap’s Security Training Program with support from Fedcap staff, particularly instructor Gloria Henry, James moved from unemployment and government assistance to landing his dream job as a security supervisor, where he supervises over 500 security guards.

“The Security Training program got me reenergized and refocused, and gave me renewed confidence in my ability to get a job,” he said. “It put me back on the career ladder, climbing to the top.”

Board member Malvina Kay introduced Yashira Cruz – “a remarkable young woman with a powerful story.” Yashira earned a Bachelor’s Degree in forensic psychology from John Jay College before suffering from depression and falling out of the workforce. She took a chance and enrolled in Fedcap’s Home Health Aide Training Program, to support herself while she pulled her life together and worked towards her dream. Today Yashira is completing a Master’s Degree in clinical social work, while gaining valuable experience working for Fedcap.

To spirited applause, she told the crowd – “I found Fedcap at exactly the right time in my life. To the Fedcap 2017 graduates I say this – Take a chance on yourself, and do whatever you can to accomplish your goals!”

Alumni speaker Minurka Marte was introduced to the stage by Fedcap board member Larry Ach. Minurka, who is deaf, talked about her struggles to support herself and her children after emigrating to New York City from the Dominican Republic. Fedcap provided her with American Sign Language interpreters and other supports so that she could graduate from the agency’s Total Facilities Management Program. Minurka now works for Fedcap, and for the first time in her life has secure, supported employment and a living wage.

Minurka thanked Fedcap staff for helping her not just in training but also in financial literacy – how to manage money, pay bill, set up a bank account and navigate healthcare. “Because of their help I am independent, and my life is stable,” she said.

Christy Reeves, CEO of Single Stop, a new member of the Fedcap family of agencies, closed the event by thanking the graduates for their extraordinary courage and commitment, and the Fedcap community of stakeholders for their tireless working in making the Power of Possible a reality.

On June 13th, 15 students graduated from the Fedcap School, earning both a Certificate of Completion and a State of New Jersey high school diploma. It was the largest graduating class in the school’s history and the most successful in terms of transition plans. “All of our students broke through significant barriers and stuck with the program to earn high school diplomas,” Fedcap School Director Luanne Macri said” “They are planning for the future and on the road to success.”

Easterseals New York’s four Child Development Centers also celebrated graduations in June. The centers offer unique environments were children of all abilities learn together, and meet a growing need for high-quality child care for pre-school children and their parents. At the graduations, children entertained families and staff with songs, and received individual awards.

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Solution Series: Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education: Building a Workforce Pipeline for the 21st Century Business

Solution Series: Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education: Building a Workforce Pipeline for the 21st Century Business

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Fedcap held its 13th Solution Series – Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education: Building a Workforce Pipeline for the 21st Century Business – on March 29 at Mutual of America. An overflow crowd of Fedcap business partners, academia, government, community nonprofit partners donors and staff attended the event.

A panel of noted experts engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about the role of business in supporting early childhood child hood development. The panel included –

• Caitlin A. Codella, Senior Director of Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Center for Education and Workforce

• Katharine B. Stevens, Resident Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute who leads AEI’s early childhood program

• Michael Weinstein, Economist, and Executive Director of Impact Matters, a nonprofit agency focused on raising the quality of work in the nonprofit sector

The topic is of great interest to the Fedcap family of agencies—we both provide early childhood development services and we are very interested in helping business meet their workforce needs for the future.

Fedcap President and CEO Christine McMahon welcomed guests and thanked host Mutual of America for their generosity in providing the amazing venue and our new sponsor Staples. Christine introduced Fedcap Chief Strategy Officer Lorrie Lutz, who facilitated the panel discussion.

Caitlin Codella opened the dialogue by stating that concerns about the workforce pipeline underpin much of the Chamber’s work, including its research on early childhood development. The work is based on research that shows that investing in children in their first years of development is both more effective and less costly than interventions later in life and has a tremendous return on investment.

Most public policies that address social issues are focused on fixing problems that have already happened, Ms. Stevens told the gathering. The beauty of this topic is we have the opportunity to do it right…first . Quality early childhood development programs are firmly grounded in the science of brain development, which shows that healthy brain architecture depends in large part on the neural connections that are formed in the first five years of life.

Michael Weinstein pointed out the challenges of measuring the impact of most educational interventions including early childhood— which can’t be known with any degree of certainty until much later in life. Research exists that provides examples of interventions that work, but it is not clear which aspects of the interventions drove the impact.

“We know less about the impact of early childhood interventions than anything in the social sciences,” Mr. Weinstein said. “There is a lot we don’t know but also a lot of reasons to be optimistic.”

Katharine Stevens agreed that research is unclear as to the effectiveness and impact of specific programs, but that the science of early brain development makes a convincing case for business investment in early childhood development.

Investing in programs that won’t show a return for several decades is hard to justify for businesses, but it’s important to remember that early childhood development is about the workforce of today as well as tomorrow, said Ms. Codella. Two-thirds of children under six have both parents in the workforce, and quality childcare programs make for more productive employees, and reduce turnover and absenteeism.

After the highly engaging panel discussion Fedcap CFO Karen Wegmann thanks the participants, sponsors and guests, and summed up one of the key takeaways: “As a society we must find ways to invest in our children and our future workforce.”

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