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

Ep. 5: Susan Steele Reflects on Her Many Accomplishments at the Buell Foundation

Nicole interviewed early-childhood champion, Susan Steele, recently-retired President and CEO of the Buell Foundation and EPIC founding board member. Among other things, Susan shares her serendipitous entrance as a leading changemaker for children and families in Colorado and how she learned to meet the pressing needs of the times. Listen as she shares her life experiences, successes, and how "anyone can be an advocate from wherever they sit.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 
 

Ep. 4: Steamboat Ski Resorts to the Rescue in the Routt County Childcare Desert

Steamboat Ski Resort is passionate about their employees and the community in Routt County. In mid-December EPIC interviewed them on opening day of their new child care facility. Learn how Steamboat “got over their skis” to tackle the problem of a lack of child care along with collaboration from EPIC’s Design Lab and others who contributed to the solution.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 3: Community Hospital Builds Its Own Childcare Facility in Grand Junction, Here’s How

In late November, EPIC hosted Chris Thomas, President and CEO of Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Tawny Espinosa, Community Hospital’s Vice President of Business Development.  
 
A lack of accessible and affordable childcare was identified as a community need in Mesa County, and to help address this issue, Community Hospital recently broke ground on “Adventure Academy,” a new, onsite early child care and early education facility. 
 
EPIC President and CEO, Nicole Riehl, has been fortunate to get to know Chris, Tawny, and their team through their participation in EPIC’s Employer Based Child Care Design Lab. Learn more about Community Hospital and “Adventure Academy” here.
 
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 2: ”Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Success” Panel Discussion from the EPIC Annual Meeting

On September 29th EPIC brought together Colorado business leaders across industries to celebrate “Today’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Success” EPIC’s 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, we hosted a robust lineup for our panel portion of the evening and this month’s podcast features key insights and contributions from that conversation. Each of our panelists has a unique position addressing critical issues around early care and education and we deeply appreciate their participation.
Special thanks to all of EPIC’s supporters including Governor Jared Polis, Nicole Brady from 7News, Jon Haubert, Publisher of ColoradoBiz Magazine and our amazing sponsors.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe. 

Ep. 1: David Merage, Co-Founder of Chef America (Hot Pockets) and Consolidated Investment Group, on Business, Philanthropy, and Investing in Child Care

David Merage is the co-founder of Chef America, a national frozen food manufacturer known for inventing and marketing Hot Pockets©, Lean Pockets©, and Croissant Pockets©, and Consolidated Investment Group. He is also one of the founding members of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC). On the debut episode of The Drop Off, he shares the many insights he's acquired as one of the country's most successful and influential entrepreneurs including the importance of surrounding oneself with incredible people, why he doesn't focus on the negative, and the upside of businesses investing in child care. He relates an epiphany he had while talking to one of his team members that led to his continued advocacy of ensuring every worker in America has access to high-quality, affordable child care.
This episode is available on podcatchers everywhere and the EPIC website. Please rate, review and subscribe.