The Changing Covid Workforce
ONLINE CONFERENCE SERIES
Join us for discussions on how COVID is impacting
our workforce.
Each discussion will feature leaders from the Columbus-area sharing expertise on how to adapt to the changing work environment during and after the pandemic.
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Register for each session below
Each session will be 1.5 to 2 hours in length.
Economic Forces During a Pandemic:
How COVID is Shaping the Labor Market
Leading economists and business leaders from Columbus and the surrounding area will discuss the economic forces and trends that have arisen during the pandemic to shape the labor landscape. This includes an examination of the business policies and practices that impact workforce participation.
Leveraging Community Resources:
Mitigating the COVID Impact on Business and Nonprofits
Discover how business and existing community resources can join forces to improve outcomes for workers and create economic value in the process. Experts will discuss potential solutions to the issues of business closures, funding constraints, restrictions on accepting new business, and the environmental challenges that inhibit building a strong and reliable workforce.
Maintaining the Strength of Your Workforce:
Employee Retention During a Pandemic
A discussion on the impact of low wages as well as effective strategies for making gains in employee retention and productivity. Learn from companies who are willing to reinvest capital in employees and are seeing greater gains in net profit and other areas of their business. Understand how collective efforts will impact the health of our local economy.
Economic Forces During a Pandemic
Featured Panelists
Dr. David White
Troy University, Phenix City Campus
Former Vice Chancellor
Dr. David White served as Vice Chancellor of Troy University’s Phenix City Campus for 24 years and retired in September of 2020. He was named vice chancellor after having served for many years as Southeast Region Director for University College, and later eCampus. He first joined the University as a faculty member at Fort Benning after a 26-year career in the U.S. Army, retiring as a colonel. His leadership abilities helped move the University to the next level and made Troy University an integral part of the community in Phenix City.
Jamie Loyd, CEcD
Columbus Technical College
Vice President of Economic Development & Strategic Partnerships
Jamie Loyd is a Certified Economic Development Professional (CEcD) with more than 20 years’ experience in both economic and workforce development. As vice president for economic development and Strategic Partnerships at Columbus Technical College (CTC) in Columbus, Georgia, Loyd sees himself first and foremost as an advocate for CTC’s service region. In order to promote economic growth and attract new businesses, CTC serves as the primary hub for regional workforce development. In this capacity, CTC’s primary objective is to ensure that regional business and industry partners have the requisite human capital necessary to succeed, and to promote their region by demonstrating that not only do they offer a strong workforce, but they also boast a dynamic workforce development system producing future talent.
Tricia Llewellyn Konan
Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers’ (GoodwillSR) 50 county territory
Vice President of Mission Services
Tricia joined GoodwillSR in April 2014 after successfully working in the private, public and educational sectors. She is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality workforce development services, including career and financial services and skills training.
Sendreka Bledsoe Lakes
Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce
Executive Vice President – Education, Talent & Workforce Development
Sendreka Bledsoe Lakes, a native of Columbus, GA, is the Director of Education, Talent, and Workforce at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Sendreka leads the region’s workforce development efforts as part of the Chamber’s Economic Development team. She has worked in workforce development and higher education for seven years prior to joining the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce in January 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, both from Columbus State University. She has completed the Georgia Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) and has plans to pursue the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD ) designation from IEDC.
Dr. Gail Burgos
Retired – Senior Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Dr. Gail Burgos is the former Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer for TSYS. Burgos has been with TSYS for over 20 years and has served in various leadership positions at the company. Prior to retirement, she led efforts to establish their first diversity and inclusion program. With Burgos’ tenure at the company, she brought a wealth of knowledge and experience for company’s customers and to the payment industry. Her passion and love for her company and its team members never went unnoticed. She maintains a strong understanding of the corporate culture, an impeccable leadership record, and remains committed to the success of children, women and people from all walks of life.
Burgos received her undergrad in Business Administration, her Masters in Human Resource Management, and her Doctorate in Organizational Theory and Leadership. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Columbus Technical College and served on its Business Advisory Board of curriculum for several years. She has served on the Board for the Greater Columbus chapter of Partners in Education for the regions’ school systems and is also a board member of Girls Inc. of Columbus/Phenix City Area. Over the past 4 years, she has championed a program partnering with Girls Inc. that focusing on financial literacy education and workshops for young girls in the Columbus and Atlanta based centers.
Trent Davidson
Buffalo Rock
General Sales Manager
Raised in Brewton, AL, Trent Davidson was a 2004 graduate of T.R. Miller High School and went on to The University of Alabama on a full scholarship to play football. A letterman and 2008 graduate, Trent spent time with multiple companies, and started multiple businesses before starting with Buffalo Rock at the Tuscaloosa Division in April of 2013. Coming up on eight years with Buffalo Rock, Trent is now the General Sales Manager for the Albany and Columbus Divisions. Colleagues describe Trent as a servant leader, concerned not only with success in business but in their personal lives as well. Outside of work, he serves on several boards, including the Georgia Beverage Association, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and The Anchorage, a faith-based ministry that helps men overcome alcohol and drug dependencies. Trent was named to The Albany, GA, 40 Under 40 in 2016 and the GeorgiaTrend 40 Under 40 for the whole state in 2018.
