The Drop Off: EPIC Conversations About the Workforce of Today and the Talent of Tomorrow

Ep. 23: From the National Child Care Innovation Summit: Paying Dividends: Employer Investments & Community Impacts

In December 2024, EPIC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the National Child Care Innovation Summit. This invite-only event, presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, brought together business leaders in Washington, D.C. for an intimate, engaging environment of workshops, panels, and networking—designed to turn inspiration into action in their own communities. 
On this episode of The Drop Off, we’re proud to share “Paying Dividends: Employer Investments & Community Impacts.” Hosted by Aaron Merchen of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and featuring Kathy Szenda Wilson and Maria Ortiz Borden of Pulse, Ananda Sweet of the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, and David Duro of theTreasure Valley Family YMCA,” this conversation highlights how investments in child care benefit both the business community, and the community at-large.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 22: From the National Child Care Innovation Summit: How Providers & Employers Can Build Successful Relationships

In December 2024, EPIC partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the National Child Care Innovation Summit. This invite-only event, presented by the David and Laura Merage Foundation, brought together business leaders in Washington, D.C. for an intimate, engaging environment of workshops, panels, and networking—designed to turn inspiration into action in their own communities. 
On this episode of The Drop Off, we’re proud to share “How Providers & Employers Can Build Successful Relationships.” Hosted by Adam Alson of Appleseed Childhood Education, and featuring Ella Zander of Yellow Hen Child Care and Jennifer Knott of Access Early Education Foundation, the conversation sheds light on how to foster dialogue and partnership in each unique business environment. Anecdotes, insights, and useful information abound in this dynamic conversation among three leaders in the field.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 21: The Partnership of Clayton Early Learning and PNC Bank featuring William Browning and Ryan Beiser

William Browning is President & CEO of Clayton Early Learning. He passionately leads Clayton’s work to build opportunities for children and families to live to their endless potential. With more than 30 years of distinguished leadership experience in strategic social impact development, program development, fundraising, change management, and business operations, he brings deep connections to the local and national philanthropy communities. Ryan Beiser is Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking for PNC. PNC is constantly innovating to help their clients succeed and to have a big impact in Denver. They provide their customers with new ideas, offer valuable insight and create customized solutions that will help propel a business forward. Ryan is also Chairman of the Board for EPIC. 
On this episode of The Drop Off, William and Ryan join Nicole Riehl to discuss how these two organizations have forged a partnership that marries PNC's deep commitment to the cause of early childhood education with Clayton's innovative and robust model of helping the community meet its need for good options in this space. They discuss the current lay of the land as it pertains to workforce, how programs like these will help to shape the workforce of tomorrow, and much more. 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 20: A Live Fireside Chat with Aparna Mathur

On September 10th, EPIC brought together Colorado business leaders to celebrate our 15th Annual Business Leaders Dinner in Glendale, CO. This year's event was a terrific success as we welcomed more than 275 business leaders, members and partners. On this episode of The Drop-Off, we welcome you to listen in on Nicole Riehl's Fireside Chat with Aparna Mathur, Senior Manager in Economics at Amazon and former Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School where we discussed. While much of our dinner presentations focused on how to support the workforce of today and tomorrow locally, Nicole's conversation with Aparna dove deep into the national and federal conversation around how to support strong families and children, including tax credits. 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 19: Geta Asfaw Shares Insights Into Business, Policy and Giving Back

Geta Asfaw co-leads The Asfaw Family Foundation International (AFFI), a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with his wife Janice. Since the early 1980’s, Geta and Janice have operated their family business in the Denver Metropolitan area as owner/operators of McDonald’s restaurants. Throughout the years they have supported a number of community groups and organizations. To date, the family has served thousands of individuals. Geta is also a founding member of EPIC.
On this episode of The Drop-Off, Geta joins Nicole Riehl to share his remarkable story of emigrating from Ethiopia, what prevented him from returning to his home country for 26 years, how he started his own businesses, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Geta is a thoughtful, community-focused leader who has a stunning track record of success and giving back, and it's our pleasure to feature him on The Drop-Off.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 18: Driving Change: Conversations on Business and Advocacy with David Perez

With 40 years of executive leadership in medical device and health care services, David Perez serves as an independent board member of EPIC and advisor to several corporations and non-profit organizations. His expertise encompasses growing highly regulated global businesses organically through R&D and innovation and inorganically through M&A, leading within a variety of foreign, public and private equity ownership structures, strategic planning, culture and talent development, succession planning, enterprise risk management, operations, compliance, and corporate governance.
On this episode of The Drop-Off, David joins Nicole Riehl to discuss his incredible career, why and how he became a self-described "professional board member" and the importance of public policy. This episode touches on everything from healthcare to child care to the generational impact of crafting good public policy. David has remarkable command of a variety of subjects and this conversation flies by. 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 17: The Incredible Legacy of Sue Renner of the David and Laura Merage Foundation

Sue Renner is the Vice President and Executive Director of The David & Laura Merage Foundation which creates opportunities for future generations through venture philanthropy by investing in initiatives, organizations, and ideas that move society toward a more equitable future for all. She recently announced her retirement as Executive Director.
On this episode of The Drop-Off, Sue joins Nicole Riehl to discuss her career, her breakthroughs in early childhood education, the early days of EPIC, Colorado's universal pre-school initiative and much more. Sue is a remarkable leader, a passionate advocate, and an integral cog in EPIC. It's our privilege to share her story in this format.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 16: Beth Melton and Nicole Riehl Lay Out 2024 Policy Priorities

Beth Melton is the founder and principal consultant at Melton Strategic Solutions. Most recently, she served as a full-time local elected official in Routt County, Colorado. Her run for office and her work in office were motivated by a desire to support working families with child care solutions.
She is a part of the EPIC team and she joins our Nicole Riehl on this episode of The Drop Off to discuss her career journey, what she learned in her time as an elected official, and the policy priorities to embolden the workforce of today, and develop the talent of tomorrow. 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 15: Colin Stewart on the Realities of Owning a Childcare Facility

Colin Stewart is the Founder & CEO of STEM Child Care, a facility in Castle Rock, CO dedicated to providing an environment that is both safe and nurturing for children from six weeks to six years old, allowing your child to explore their passions and creativity while cultivating their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills.
On this episode of The Drop Off, Colin joins Nicole Riehl to discuss his unusual journey into creating and developing this facility, the interesting economic realities and challenges of child care facilities, recent policy changes and much more. Colin brings a dynamic perspective, an impressive background, and tremendous insight into everything he throws himself into, and this conversation with Nicole is no exception.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 14: A Live Fireside Chat featuring Natriece Bryant and Elliot Haspel

On October 4, EPIC brought together Colorado business leaders across industries to celebrate “Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Success” EPIC’s 14th Annual Business Leaders Dinner. The event was a tremendous success with over 220 area business leaders, EPIC members, and partners in attendance. In case you were not able to join, part of the evening featured a Fireside Chat with Natriece Bryant, Director of State Property for the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administraion and Elliot Haspel, Director, Climate and Young Children at Capita. They brought unique perspectives on early care and education solutions at the local, state and national level. 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.