As part of its response to the coronavirus crisis, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched the "Path Forward" event series to address how Americans and businesses can return to work safely, successfully, and sustainably.
The program, which is drawing record viewership, features diverse viewpoints from public and private sector leaders on the complex issues involved in a responsible reopening strategy, and the practices and policies needed to begin a phased process of reopening.
The program airs every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern hosted by U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark. If you miss the live version, archived copies are available on Facebook and YouTube. You can also access the Path Forward podcast via Apple Podcast and other popular platforms.
Our programs to-date have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, including some of the quotes included below.
Here’s What We’ve Covered So Far
- April 13: Road Map to Reopening
Suzanne Clark spoke with Dr. Bill Hanage of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, about the complex issues surrounding the return to work including possible timelines, what’s still needed to get us there, the importance of testing, and much more.
- April 16: Testing
Suzanne Clark spoke with St. Louis Fed CEO Jim Bullard, Roche CMO Dr. Alan Wright, and CVS Health EVP and CMO Troy Brennan about the importance of swift and accurate COVID-19 tests to the economy, the barriers employers must overcome, and what we can learn from other parts of the world.
Suzanne Clark spoke with KinderCare CEO Tom Wyatt and small business Owner of ABK Learning & Development Lesely Crawford about how childcare has been impacted by COVID-19, how they've been supporting essential workers, and the challenges ahead as childcare centers across the country prepare for all American businesses to return to work.
- April 23: Masks, Temperature Scanners, and More
Suzanne Clark spoke with Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen, Medical Director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit Dr. Angela Hewlett, ThermoWorks CEO Randy Owen, and ABA’s SVP of Risk and Cyber Policy Paul Benda about personal protective equipment (PPE) and protocols for returning to work, and the steps employers must be prepared to take to protect workers and customers as a part of a responsible reopening strategy.
Suzanne Clark spoke with FedEx President and COO Raj Subramaniam, and other public transportation leaders to examine transportation barriers to responsible reopening.
Here’s what attendees have had to say…
"I am thrilled by the speakers you are booking -- it feels like lengthy discussions with the best people being booked on the Today show. My little nonprofit could not access this information without CoC Foundation bringing it to us. I am so impressed and so pleased to have the opportunity to watch."
"Thank you for doing these [events]. I have gotten so much benefit, and appreciate the time it takes to thoughtfully curate them."
"I hope the series continues as we navigate these uncharted territories."
"We are all being Zoomed and more to death... the only [webinars] seemingly worthwhile and with new info are yours."
"All of... these webinars have been so helpful. Your programming is great."
What’s Next
Future episodes will cover topics including transportation and transit, consumer expectations and confidence, lessons from overseas, high-density industries, the role of the states, and more.
We hope you’ll join us for future events. You can register for future programs here and find more about the series on our Path Forward site here.
Additionally, if you have ideas about topics or speakers to share, please send them to foundation@uschamber.com
About the authors
