2025 TALENT CONNECT SUMMIT RECAP
On September 25, 2025, the 2025 Talent Connect Summit gathered over 100 HR professionals, workforce training providers, and community leaders to learn about trends and resources to enhance their talent and workforce attraction processes.
The event featured a presentation from Raising JoCo about childcare resources for employers, the launch of the new "All in OP" talent attraction website, a recap of the Chamber's first Change Management Cohort, six breakout sessions sharing workforce resources, and an engaging keynote session from Amanda Ellis, Editor in Chief at Livability.
SPEAKERS
CHILDCARE
Eldonna Chesnut, Child Care Licensing Division Director for Johnson County Government and Raising JoCo, shared about the Raising JoCo Coalition and childcare resources for employers.
ALL IN OP
Izzy Hagen, Director of Marketing at the Chamber and team members from MBB shared about the new live, work, play, learn, and invest website called "All in OP."
TALENT REIMAGINED
Anna Hennes, Founder & CEO of Dovetail Talent Solutions and Baronika Doljac, Talent Acquisition Manager at Capitol Federal Savings Bank shared key takeaways from the Chamber's first Talent Reimagined: Change Management Cohort.
KEYNOTE
Our keynote speaker, Amanda Ellis, Editor-in-Chief at Livability.com, shared innovative strategies cities are using to attract and retain top talent talent, offering valuable lessons for attendees.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
TRACK 1
Developing Early Talent Pipelines with K-12 Partners
Our panel, moderated by Salvador Ocampo, Program Leader for the Kauffman Foundation, featured Mariah Presley, Education & Industry Program Lead for Trane Commercial, Ethan Kushnir, Director of Operations for Paymore, and Erica Cohan & Logan Swank, Science Department Chairs & Educators for Olathe Northwest High School.
The discussion highlighted how businesses can engage with K-12 schools to create meaningful real-world learning experiences that connect students to future career opportunities while strengthening your talent pipeline.
TRACK 2
Creating Systems for Veteran Hiring
Kim Koncecny, Manager of Talent Acquisition at Evergy, shared their “why” behind veteran hiring, along with their innovative approach to successfully integrate transitioning service members into their organization. Attendees also heard from Andrew Rigor and his perspective as a current servicemember in the United State Army Reserve.
Tech Talent by the Numbers: KC Insights for HR
Kara Lowe, CEO of KC Tech Council, shared an in-depth look at their TechSpecs Report, highlighting key data and actionable takeaways for talent strategy and workforce planning. Attendees were provided with tips to leverage these insights to make informed hiring decisions, develop skills pipelines, and position their organizations for long-term success in the Kansas City tech ecosystem.
Maximizing Your Chamber Membership for Workforce Development
Dave Dyer, Membership Director and Andrew Weisberg Director of Talent at the Overland Park Chamber, shared insights into programs, partnerships, and tools offered by the Overland Park Chamber that support workforce growth and organizational success.
Effective Human Performance through Successful Innovation
Marilu Goodyear, Director of Human & Organization Performance Effectiveness Program and Mark Terry, Instructor for the University of Kansas Edwards Campus and Laura Evans, Director of Leadership & Development for Geiger Ready Mix Co shared the four key questions that define effective performance and the five elements to analyze when considering whether or not to move forward with an innovation.
Workforce Insights: Peer Roundtables on Talent Strategies
Courtney Cavlovic, Workforce Program Coordinator at the Overland Park Chamber, led an interactive roundtable discussion on current trends and resources in workforce development. Attendees shared experiences, challenges, and solutions with peers pertaining to talent attraction and retention, gaining actionable ideas and best practices to implement within their own organizations.
For more information about 2025 Talent Connect Summit, contact Andrew Weisberg, Director of Talent.
Office: (913) 766-7608
Email: aweisberg@opchamber.org
The Talent Connect Summit is brought to you by the Opportunity Now initiative of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. To find out more or learn how to get involved click here!