Path Forward: Navigating the Return to Work from the U.S. Chamber Foundation

This edition of Path Forward explores best practices from global companies that are innovating to maintain operations while protecting employees and customers. Guests include Dario Gil, Director of IBM Research, Louis Vega, President of Dow North America, and Rossann Williams, Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Retail at Starbucks.

An all-star panel of legal experts share thoughts about how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the legal system and what that means for business. Former Delaware Chief Justice Leo Strine, Jr., former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick, and bankruptcy expert Peter Friedman answer questions about everything from how the courts are adapting to what small businesses need to keep in mind as they try to survive the economic crisis. Plus, Torsten Kracht shares statistics about COVID-19 litigation across the United States.

This week, Path Forward explores how social distancing, workplace design, and healthy buildings can help ensure a safe reopening during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our guests include Dr. Lindsey Leininger, a professor at The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and one of the scientists hosting "Dear Pandemic"; Jeroen Lokerse, head of Cushman & Wakefield in the Netherlands and creator of the "Six Feet Office" plan; and Dr. Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings Program at Harvard University and expert on how indoor spaces drive performance.

In this espisode of Path Forward, we explore lessons the United States can learn from companies in other countries. A reporter shares some of the lessons he's learning from China, a global investor gives us his sense of who's doing what in terms of post-COVID recovery, and the head of a major medical association provides an updated situation report from Europe.

Ryan McMorrow, Reporter, China Corporate Tech, Financial Times

Christopher Schroeder, Global Tech Investor; and Co-Founder, Next Billion Ventures

Dr. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, Chairman, World Medical Association

The latest episode of Path Forward focuses on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting higher density businesses like restaurants, and what employers are doing to adapt to a new operating environment that includes social distancing, masks, and other protective measures. Guests include:

Ret. Navy Vice Admiral Dr. Raquel C. Bono, former head of U.S. military medicine and key COVID-19 advisor to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee

Michael Kaufman, former chairman of the National Restaurant Association

Rick Roman, owner of movie theaters in Delaware and Kentucky

Hosted by U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark, Path Forward is a weekly exploration of the issues employers are overcoming as they plan to bring millions of Americans back to work in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

In this episode of Path Forward, we explore the psychological implications of coronavirus and how the COVID-19 pandemic is influencing consumers across the United States. Experts share the latest survey data, explore how our behavioral immune system reacts to the threat of infection, and discuss ways to reassure the public as businesses begin to reopen their doors.

The latest episode of Path Forward focuses on the importance of transportation as we think about how to navigate the return to work. U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark is joined by FedEx's president and chief operating officer as well as the leaders of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Los Angeles Metro, and American Public Transportation Association. 

How is the transportation system enabling the response to COVID-19? What are mass transit systems doing to ensure they remain viable amid declining fares and continued need for social distancing after coronavirus? The answers to these questions and more in this episode of Path Forward. This podcast was recorded April 27.

What do businesses need to reopen their doors in a responsible manner? Masks, thermometers, and other equipment are on the list. This edition of Path Forward brings a diverse group of business and health experts together for a discussion about the critical equipment required to get America back to work. Dr. Angela Hewlett, the medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, teaches us about masks, health screenings, and other steps responsible businesses can take to protect employees and customers. Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen shares some of the best practices his supermarket chain learned while operating as an essential business. Plus, learn why the maker of every foodie's favorite thermometer is pivoting to produce infrared temperature scanners for humans. This episode was recorded April 23, 2020.

U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark discusses the importance of childcare as we prepare to return to work after the coronavirus shutdown. Hear about the barriers employers must overcome and what we can learn from other parts of the world. Lesely Crawford, the owner of ABK Learning & Development Center, and Tom Wyatt, the CEO of KinderCare, explain how they've operated during the crisis and what they're doing to prepare to bring their operations back as the shutdown eases. 

Path Forward goes deep on COVID-19 testing. When will we have enough tests to ease the coronavirus shutdown, and who’s going to pay for ongoing disease surveillance as millions head back to work?

U.S. Chamber President Suzanne Clark discusses these and other testing questions with an all-star lineup of experts, including Jim Bullard, the president and CEO of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, Dr. Alan Wright, the chief medical officer at Roche Diagnostics, and Dr. Troy Brennan, the chief medical officer at CVS Health.

This episode was recorded on April 16, 2020. Learn more about Path Forward at uschamberfoundation.org