SEATTLE, WA – As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to expanding economic opportunity for all and ahead of next month's White House Summit on Working Families, Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will host a discussion with Seattle-area business leaders on Thursday, May 29, to spotlight best practices that will help strengthen and build 21st century workplaces.
This week's panel discussion will highlight initiatives that will better support the needs of America's working families, businesses and economy, and is one of a number of regional events across the country leading up to the White House Summit on Working Families, which will be held on June 23 in Washington, D.C. and co-hosted by the Center for American Progress and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Dr. Biden will kick off the event with opening remarks. Secretary Jewell will moderate the discussion with six Seattle-area business leaders regarding their creative programs that reflect the diversity of area communities, promote the most talented employees and increase retention among all employee groups.
“As a former CEO, I know my fellow Seattle-area business leaders are on the cutting edge of building a workplace culture that meets the needs of today's working families,” said Secretary Jewell, who during her tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of REI, consistently saw the company ranked as one of the 100 best companies to work for by Fortune Magazine.
Jewell further said, “From empowering women in the workplace to providing flexibility for parents, to teeing up unique growth and learning opportunities for young employees, Seattle business leaders know what it takes to help their employees stick around for the long haul. I look forward to welcoming Dr. Biden to the area and showcasing some of our country's best business practices for working families.”
“Leading up to next month's White House Summit on Working Families, I am pleased to hear firsthand from Seattle-area businesses about some of the creative policies they have put in place to help meet the needs of families,” Dr. Biden said. “Families today look very different than they used to-more women are working, Americans are caring for their children and their parents, and too many are living paycheck to paycheck. Our workplaces must adjust to meet these changes-not just to support workers, but because it is good for the bottom line.”
The regional discussions will help inform next month's national Summit, which will explore how all sectors can work together on key issues facing workers with families and the businesses that want to recruit and retain them. For more information, visit workingfamiliessummit.org.
Thursday's panel discussion in Seattle with Secretary Jewell and Dr. Biden will be open to credentialed members of the media and participants will join Jewell for a media availability immediately after the discussion.
WHO:
Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Sarah Bird, CEO, Moz
Devony Boyle, Director of Human Resources, Tom Douglas Restaurants
Michelle Clements, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, REI
Cheryl DiRe, Vice President Human Resources, McKinstry
Kathy O'Driscoll, Chief Human Resources Officer at PATH
Tammy Young, Vice President Human Resources, Alaska Airlines
WHAT:
21st Century Workplace Panel Discussion with Seattle-area Business Leaders
WHEN:
Thursday, May 29, 2014, 12:30 pm PDT
Media Check-In: 11:45am PDT
WHERE:
Seattle Center
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
Allen Foundation for the Arts Room
321 Mercer St
Seattle, WA 98109
RSVP:
Credentialed members of the media interested in covering the event are encouraged to RSVP HERE by May 28, 2014, at 6:00pm PDT
For more information on next months' White House Summit on Working Families, please visit www.workingfamiliessummit.org. You can also participate in a number of ways: share your story, host your own event, nominate someone to attend the June 23 event, join other events near you, and sign up for updates.
Source: Department of Interior
