Page 5 - LRCC October 2025 Focus

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAMBER
2025 Board of Directors
The Workforce Challenge:

Officers Connecting People and Place

Board Chair
Amy Scoby / The Christman Company
Past Chair s Greater Lansing continues to grow and evolve, the region’s future depends
Lisa O’Connor / Publicom
on the strength of our workforce, the vibrancy of our communities, and the
Chair-Elect Apartnerships between schools, businesses, and local leaders. Our 2025 State
Kelly Preston / Capital Steel & Wire of the Region Benchmarking report highlights both progress and opportunity. We
see strong GDP growth, expanding high-tech employment, and a robust pipeline
Legal Counsel of STEM graduates. At the same time, challenges remain, including population
Mark Burzych / Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC
shifts, educational attainment gaps, and the need to retain talent in an increasingly
Treasurer TIM DAMAN competitive marketplace.
Luke Terry / Rehmann PRESIDENT AND CEO
LANSING REGIONAL One of our greatest assets is our young, emerging workforce. Gen Z brings energy,
President CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Tim Daman / Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce creativity, and adaptability, and ensuring they are fully prepared to enter the
workforce is critical. However, recent research suggests a disconnect between Gen Z’s
values and those most prized by hiring managers. According to a study by The Values
Bridge and Becoming You Labs, just 2% of Gen Z prioritize achievement, learning,
Division Directors and a love of work—values companies most desire in new hires. Instead, self-care,
Marketing Member Services authentic self-expression, and altruism top their list.
Communications Michelle Massey / TechSmith
Mike Zamiara / Niowave This disconnect is further complicated by the rise of AI automation, which is
Government Relations
Regional Initiatives Kwafo Adarkwa / eliminating entry-level roles and disproportionately affecting Gen Z workers.
Kirk Ray / McLaren Kelley Cawthorne Employers are now faced with a choice: adapt to the values of the 98%, or compete
Greater Lansing fiercely for the 2% who align with traditional workplace expectations.
As a region,
we must foster Locally, the challenge is urgent. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2025
WASTE SERVICES New Hire Readiness Report, 84% of hiring managers say most high school graduates
At-Large are not prepared to enter the workforce. Employers consistently rank critical thinking,
Paul Anderson / Jeff Metts / communities communication, and adaptability as essential skills, yet too few young adults leave
Granger Waste Services Dowding Industries school with these abilities fully developed.
that want to
Troy Comiskey / Eric Musser / Auto-Owners
be part of the world experience. Nearly nine in ten hiring managers prefer candidates with
General Motors Insurance Co. The Chamber’s report also emphasizes the importance of credentials and real-
Rebecca DeVooght / Beth Pellerito / Granger industry-recognized credentials, and internships are seen as the most effective
Michigan State University Construction Company solution by way for students to gain early-career skills. Soft skills—now often called “critical
Margaret Dimond / Tom Ruis / PNC skills”—are equally vital. Over 90% of hiring managers prioritize problem-solving and
University of investing in communication, and 96% value financial literacy.
Michigan Health Lisa Webb Sharpe /
Peckham both people
Sara Dolan / MSUFCU Schools and businesses serve as anchors for our communities and neighborhoods,
Lisa Ellen Smith / providing education, opportunity, and stability. Strengthening connections between
Jim Farrell / Dart InVerve Marketing and place. these institutions ensures that young people can explore career pathways early,
Roger Graff / Todd Surline / gain meaningful experience, and develop the skills employers value most. Programs
Farm Bureau Insurance Co. Hiring Solutions that combine classroom learning with internships, mentorships, and hands-on work
Stay Connected. Stay Social.
Robyn Howell / LAFCU Kevin Zielke / AF Group experiences are essential for preparing students to succeed.
David Lewis / AT&T facebook.com/LansingChamber As a region, we must foster communities that want to be part of the solution by
investing in both people and place. Greater Lansing’s affordability, growing startup
FOCUS x.com/LansingChamber ecosystem, and nationally recognized universities make it an attractive region to live,

Editor Design Print and Lansing Regional Chamber work, and grow a business. But the promise of these assets is fully realized only if we
Liz Reno-Hayes Tandem Studios Mailing Services of Commerce continue to connect, collaborate, and invest in talent development.
BRD Printing
Feature Writer Cover Illustration Incorporated @LansingRegionalChamber We are proud to lead these efforts, advocating for policies, partnerships, and
Liz Reno-Hayes Tristan Benjamin/
Tandem Studios programs that strengthen our region. Together, we can ensure that Greater Lansing
Lansing Regional Chamber remains a place where businesses and people thrive.
of Commerce

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