West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum will feature a presentation on a best-in-class diversity program and a round table discussion on how local organizations are responding to the rapidly emerging recycling markets crisis created by international trade policies such as China Sword at its monthly forum luncheon at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s on September 10.
The first featured presenter is Kelly Wilczak, Workforce Program Specialist at Mercy Health. She will highlight several of the health care system’s best practices, including its evidence-based hiring process. By removing the implicit bias and using a set of measurable standards for all potential job candidates, Mercy Health has increased its diverse hiring from 18% to 38% over a period of three years.
Four speakers will frame the conversation with remarks from varying perspectives: Matt Flechter, Recycling Market Develpment for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will introduce the issue and its impacts. Padnos Sales Associate Lynn Mulder and Kristen Wieland of Kent County Department of Public Works will share how lower prices and fewer buyers are impacting what can be recycled by local businesses. Steelcase Environmental Scientist Heidi Frasure will share how the office furniture maker has been forced to make investments and adopt new practices in order to maintain its recycling program. This will be a largely open forum for participants to discuss their challenges and gain insights from mutual perspectives.
China Sword is the colloquial name for several related trade policies that have recently restricted imports of scrap material and recycling commodities to China, once the largest destination for U.S. recycled material.
The September Forum is presented by Mercy Health Saint Mary’s.
September Forum: West Michigan Responds to China Sword, Plus Best-in-Class Diversity Case
Monday, September 10
12 pm to 2 pm
Mercy Health Saint Mary’s
Richard J. Lacks Sr. Cancer Center
250 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Members: $15 online / $20 at event
Non-members: $20 online / $25 at event
Agenda
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm Lunch
12:30 pm to 12:40 pm Welcome and Introductions
12:40 pm to 1:15 pm Diversity and Inclusion at Mercy Health
1:15 pm to 2:00 pm How West Michigan is Responding to China Sword
Parking: Free parking available in the Peter M. Wege Parking Structure located at 300 Lafayette. Further parking & facility information is available here.
https://wmsbf.formstack.com/forms/js.php/september_2018_forum_registration<a href=”https://wmsbf.formstack.com/forms/september_2018_forum_registration” title=”Online Form”>Online Form – September 2018 Forum Registration</a>