Advocating for Employer-Sponsored Childcare: A Chat with Loryn Duke

NextGen Work Culture: HR, Management, Inclusive Parent-Friendly Work Environment, Employee Recruitment and Retention, Talent Development

Ever faced challenges with finding accessible childcare in your community? Today's guest, Loryn Duke struggled to find childcare in a rural Colorado town and decided to take matters into her own hands. She and her colleagues persuaded their employer, Steamboat Ski Resorts, to open an employer-sponsored childcare center that has solved childcare struggles for their employees and alleviated some of the childcare problems in the community.

We journey through Loryn's challenging yet rewarding endeavor of convincing her employer to provide this benefit for their employees. Loryn highlights how employer-based childcare centers can be a game-changer, particularly in rural areas where childcare options are scarce. We dive into the unique challenges and rewards of operating an employee-sponsored childcare center and discuss how they can boost employee recruitment and retention.

We also touch upon the broader implications of employer-sponsored childcare and the significance of investing in early childhood education to create a foundation for our future generation. Loryn and I invite you to join the conversation and share your experiences and thoughts about childcare accessibility and employer-sponsored childcare.

About Loryn:

Loryn Duke a 23-year veteran of the Ski and Public Relations/Communications industry joined the resort in 2008. She is responsible for the strategic communications direction of the resort, the Steamboat Grand Hotel and resort development. She has served as the President of the Ski Town U.S.A. Morning Rotary Club, and on the board of the Steamboat Springs Chamber, Partners in Routt County, Steamboat Reading and other local nonprofit organizations.

Loryn is passionate about advocating for working parents and was a member of the team that initiated the Steamboat Child Care Center which opened in December 2021. Loryn continues her advocacy as a Network member of EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) and a member of Moms F1RST. Loryn and her husband are proud to call Steamboat Springs home and instill their 2.5 year old daughter with a love of the outdoors.

Connect with Loryn and Steamboat Ski Resort:

Instagram: @SteamboatResort and #SteamboatResort

Facebook: @SteamboatResort and #SteamboatResort

LinkedIn: lorynduke

Website: www.steamboat.com or specifically www.steamboat.com/childcare

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