SGF Insider

This month's "Plugged In" episode of the SGF Insider Podcast features John Lopez, Founder and Director of K9s For Camo. Tune in as we learn about this nonprofit organization, their work with service dogs as well as their inmate rehabilitation program and how they impact the community. Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes.

Time and again, businesses say the biggest obstacle to growth is finding enough qualified people to fill the jobs they're looking to create. In this episode, Chamber President Matt Morrow talks with two people who are working every day to help employers address the workforce shortage issue: Sally Payne, Director of Workforce Development for the City of Springfield Rachael Mhire, Marketing & Events...

This "Plugged In" episode of the SGF Insider Podcast features Tyree Davis IV, Community Diversity and Equity Director of Community Partnership of the Ozarks. Join us as we explore Tyree's unique role as a diversity consultant for the community, why his new position was created and the impact he is making locally.  Special thanks to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugg...

The Chamber has been leading the Community Leadership Visit (CLV) for more than a quarter-century, taking a delegation of community leaders to a peer city to learn from the experiences of another community and to bring back ideas that will benefit the Springfield region. In this episode, four CLV participants talk about what has been learned from previous visits, how it has been put to work in Spr...

This month's "Plugged In" episode of the SGF Insider podcast features CJ Davis, President & CEO of Burrell Behavioral Health. Join us as we dive into the stigma surrounding mental health, the focus on increased access to mental health services and learn how Burrell is educating, innovating and helping to make progress in this important area.  Thank you to American National for sponsoring the "Plug...

Every region in the country is competing to be the place businesses want to choose when they decide to grow and add jobs. But jumping to the top of the list requires a commitment to skills training and workforce development. In this month's installment of SGF Business Insider, we talk with Robert Randolph, executive director of the new Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Ozarks Technical Communit...

This "Plugged In" episode features Dr. Nichole Lemmon, Director of Virtual Learning with Launch Virtual Courses. Virtual education is invisible - tune in to hear about how Launch has grown and navigated over the past year and what's coming next! Thank you to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes of the SGF Insider podcast!

In March, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual ATHENA Award ceremony, recognizing two women who make a difference in our community. The ATHENA Award is given to someone who has spent their career empowering women to achieve greatness and improving the quality of life for others in the community. The Virginia Fry Rising Star Award is given to a young professional woman who is al...

Today's "Plugged In" guest is the City of Springfield Director of Quality of Place Initiatives, Tim Rosenbury. Tune in to learn about Tim's journey, why placemaking is important and how we can get plugged into these efforts. Thank you to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episode of the SGF Insider podcast!

The Internet, smart devices and social media have fundamentally changed the way individuals and businesses interact with each other - including how they make purchasing decisions. In order for small businesses to be successful in this new digital landscape, they must understand how to reach new and potential customers and make effective connections.  In this month's installment of SGF Business Ins...

This episode of "Plugged In" features Dr. Alina Lehnert, founder of Lehnert Leadership Group. Alina shares about strengths-based leadership and how community leaders can build upon their strengths. As a certified Gallup Strengths Coach, you won't want to miss this informative episode! Thank you to American National for sponsoring the Leadership Springfield "Plugged In" episodes of the SGF Insider...

In this episode of SGF Business Insider, Chamber President Matt Morrow talks to Mary Lilly Smith, Planning & Development Director for the City of Springfield, and Ryan Mooney, the Chamber's Senior Vice President of Economic Development. They talk about the process of competing for business expansion and relocation projects, including: The criteria that businesses look at when considering where to...

In this episode, Carrie Richardson has a conversation with Ujima Founder, Dr. Shurita Thomas-Tate and Board Chairperson, Monica M. Horton, MPA. Ujima Language & Literacy is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the goal to provide opportunities to increase language and literacy skills for all children, ages birth-11 years old. Tune in to learn about the organization, who they serve and how...

In this episode, Matt Morrow sits down with Robin Robeson of Guaranty Bank and Logan Aguirre of the 417 group of publications. Robin served as chair of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2020, while Logan takes that role in 2021. Hear their insights into: Why they take time from their busy professional lives to get involved in volunteer leadership What they've learned f...

Matt Morrow of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Carrie Richardson of Leadership Springfield introduce themselves, their organizations, and the goal of this new podcast adventure. Listen to this brief introductory episode to learn more about what our organizations do and what you can expect to learn from SGF Insider!

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Springfield are excited to tell you about our new podcast adventure, SGF Insider, launching in January 2021. Listen to learn more!