Explore every episode of the podcast Delaware Deep Dive

Canada is Delaware’s top export market, making the economic relationship between the First State and our northern neighbor deeper than many people realize. From chemicals to agriculture and financial services, Delaware businesses rely on Canada as a major destination for their goods and services, while Canadian companies operate across the state, supporting jobs and strengthening key supply chains. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Canada’s Consul General in New York, Tom Clark, to discuss the growing importance of state-level relationships, the role of the Consul General, and how the Canada-Delaware partnership supports economic growth, trade, and opportunity on both sides of the border.

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power. Energy costs have been top of mind for businesses and households alike, as demand grows and the energy landscape continues to evolve. In this minisode, Jaclyn Cantler, senior vice president of government, regulatory and external affairs at Pepco Holdings (Delmarva Power), discusses how the company is working to ensure reliability and affordability while modernizing the grid, preparing the workforce of the future, and strengthening community partnerships.

Preventive care isn’t just a health benefit—it’s a business strategy. Access to preventive care can shape the health of a workforce and the strength of a business. Services like annual checkups, screenings, immunizations, and mental health support help employees stay healthy and catch issues early, before they become more serious and costly. In this episode, Kelly sits down with Kevin Ussery from Beebe Healthcare and Tom Belmont from the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health to explore how employers can make preventive care more accessible and why prevention is critical for long-term workforce well-being.

The playing field and the boardroom may seem worlds apart, yet the lessons learned through sports often prove invaluable in the professional world. From preparation to discipline, teamwork, and dealing with pressure and adversity, athletic experiences can shape leaders in powerful ways. In this episode, Tamara Stoner of Delaware State University and Ted Lauzen of Grey Fox Wealth reflect on how their time playing sports gave them an edge in their careers—and how those same skills continue to guide their success today.

Child care isn’t just a family concern. It’s a business issue. Behind every workforce statistic are real families making tough choices about work, career growth, and child care. In Delaware and across the country, the cost, availability, and quality of child care directly impact whether parents can work, take promotions, or stay in the labor force at all. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Madeleine Bayard from Rodel, and Carrie Leishman from the Delaware Restaurant Association, to explore how affordability, access, flexibility, and quality in child care affect Delaware’s workforce challenges and opportunities.

Tariffs are one of the hottest topics in business right now—shifting from week to week, sparking debate, and creating uncertainty for companies across the globe. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Carla Stone, president of World Trade Center Delaware, and David Mathe, director of Export Delaware, to explain what tariffs are, why they matter, and what resources Delaware companies can utilize to navigate this rapidly-changing situation.

Delaware isn’t alone in navigating a period of rapid transformation. Political, geopolitical, technological, environmental, and demographic changes are reshaping how consumers spend, businesses operate, and leaders plan for the future. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Rodger Levenson of WSFS Bank and Chip Rossi, recently retired from Bank of America, to discuss how these shifts are impacting Delaware’s economy. Drawing from insights in the State Chamber’s recent white paper, The Trends Shaping Delaware’s Future, they explore how the state can turn disruption into opportunity for the years ahead.

Delaware has a new governor—and with new leadership comes new ideas. Since taking office in January 2025, Governor Matt Meyer has made small business and entrepreneur support a key pillar of his economic development strategy. In this special episode of Delaware Deep Dive, Governor Meyer joins Kelly to discuss his administration’s approach to strengthening Delaware’s small business landscape. He shares why innovation and small business growth are central to the state’s long-term competitiveness, and how recent initiatives aim to build the talent pipeline, support entrepreneurs, and remove barriers to growth.

Delaware is punching above its weight when it comes to innovation. Ranking 8th overall—and 1st for innovation environment—on WalletHub’s 2025 Most Innovative States list, the First State continues to attract forward-thinking entrepreneurs. In this episode, Kelly is joined by Bill Provine of The Innovation Space and Noah Olson from the Delaware Prosperity Partnership to explore why Delaware’s collaborative ecosystem, strong support networks, and startup-friendly culture make it a hub for problem solvers and change-makers.

This episode is sponsored by Cover & Rossiter.

Running a business—regardless of its size—demands strategic acumen, dedication, and adaptability. While both share the foundation of serving a mission and objectives like profitability and growth, the challenges and nuances between managing a large enterprise and a small business diverge significantly. In this episode, Kelly sat down with two Delaware business leaders, Tom Horne of JPMorgan Chase and Katie Kutler of Kaffé KARMA, to explore the vast differences and fundamental similarities between running their respective organizations. 

Delaware is home to hundreds of manufacturers who employ more than 28,000 Delawareans and make innovative products with local and global impacts. As we witness the reshoring movement, there is an opportunity not just for the U.S. but for Delaware to solidify its position as a leader in the manufacturing economy. In this episode, Brian Brooks from Hologic and Dave McGonigle from Avkin are at the table—two manufacturers who participated in our inaugural Coolest Thing Made in Delaware contest—who will explore the importance of the sector and the many career opportunities that exist within it.

NASA research shows that reducing global emissions would prevent about 1.4 million hospitalizations and emergency room visits, 300 million lost workdays, and 440 million tons of crop losses in the U.S. alone. Addressing this global crisis is a priority to customers, investors, and employees alike. Andy Wirth of AstraZeneca and Drew Getty from Perdue Farms sat at the table to discuss why being an environmentally conscious company is not only about doing good, it’s also good business.

This episode is sponsored by Delmarva Power. After more than three decades at the company, Phil Vavala brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of region president at Delmarva Power. A born and raised Delawarean, Phil shares his career journey - from intern to president - top priorities for the company, and Delmarva Power’s approach to workforce transitions and cleaner energy.

This episode is sponsored by the Christiana Mall.

It’s no secret that businesses are struggling for talent. Once you find those all-star employees, it becomes paramount to retain them. And understanding the concept of career progression and its importance to boosting employee engagement, productivity, and retention can help. In this episode, Keisha Morris of Bayhealth and Michelle Ray of Blackwell HR Solutions will explore the intricacies of developing your employees’ careers, offering insights, strategies, and real-world examples on how professional development initiatives will not only lift your employees but also your organization.

This episode is sponsored by the Delaware Department of Labor. Chris Counihan, director of the Division of Paid Leave at the Delaware Department of Labor, joins Kelly to delve into the details of the new Delaware Paid Leave program, which takes effect in 2026. 

For more information on Delaware Paid Leave, visit DE.gov/paidleave. Questions can be emailed to PFML@delaware.gov or directed to the 24/7 call center at 302-761-8375.

It’s not news that the news is in trouble. Your morning paper is thinner than it used to be. Important elections sneak up on you. You hear rumors of something that happened down the street or around the corner, and the lack of news coverage leaves you wondering what to believe. In this season 4 premiere, Ivan Thomas of DETV and Allison Levine of the Local Journalism Initiative will dive into the importance of strong, independent local journalism and how it connects to a better quality of life for all.

This episode is sponsored by the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

Delaware is filled with innovative workforce development programs that take people from where they are to where they want to go. In this episode, we sit down Cathy Kanefsky of the Food Bank of Delaware and Quentin Liningham of Walmart, both of whom represent organizations that provide people with the needed skills to step into a successful career path. We will explore how their respective programs are filling a need and addressing workforce gaps in the community.

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the United States – and there are several on the list from Delaware! The list is based on revenue growth rate and job creation. We sat down with Mac Macleod from Carvertise and Chris Burkhard from Placers, both companies on the Inc. 5000 list, to discuss entrepreneurship and explore how these CEOs scaled their business, fostered positive company culture, and meaningfully engaged employees in their company's success.

It’s the newest hot-button topic in the business world: artificial intelligence. Many of us have been using it in the workplace for years without realizing it, but with the rise of programs like Chat GPT and Google AI, the topic has risen to the forefront of conversation. In this episode, Bernardo Tiburcio of DuPont and Patrick Callahan of LabWare will explore the integration of AI in the business world, its current impact, future potential, and how it can enhance workplace efficiency.

In Delaware, the phrase "Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything" has become all too familiar in the housing industry. Fluctuating interest rates, material costs, and inventory have made housing a hot topic of discussion in the First State. The demand for various types of housing—affordable, workforce, senior, and seasonal—is great to support the needs of Delawareans. Sitting down at the table are Preston Schell of Ocean Atlantic Companies and Logan Herring of the WRK Group, who will explore the triumphs and shortcomings of housing in Delaware, and what’s next on the horizon.

Delaware is embracing its moment in the spotlight. With a growing population, a surge in businesses choosing the state for growth and relocation, a flourishing culinary scene, a thriving commercial airline, and a myriad of upcoming events, Delaware is fast becoming a premier destination to live, work, and play.

Join us as Jen Boes from the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Stephen Williams from the Delaware River and Bay Authority explore how the First State can harness this momentum and turn it into a lasting success story.

Conversations with Kelly is back for season three! Stay tuned for the premiere on October 17th! Stay up to date on www.dscc.com/podcast.html

America is in the midst of a massive labor reallocation. Employers are struggling to find qualified talent, and employees are trying to keep up with rapidly developing technologies.

The solution? Upskilling. Training our future and current workforce with the skills they need to meet these demands. Today, we talk about the steps employers are taking to give their employees stackable skills, how universities and other educational institutions are evolving beyond traditional degree pathways, and the movement of those who want to learn new skills and change career direction. 

At the table are Colleen Morrone – president and CEO of Goodwill of DE & DE County, and Dr. Darren Blackston, executive director of adult & continuing education, workforce development and training, assessment, and the connected degree program at Delaware State University.

It takes a lot to be a successful leader. The Marvin S. Gilman Superstars in Business program has been recognizing those small business leaders in the Delaware community for 25 years. Sitting down at the table today to discuss what makes a great leader is Brian DiSabatino, president and CEO of EDiS Company and Marie Holliday, managing director at Cover & Rossiter, both of whom lead businesses who have won the Superstars in Business award twice.

This week, we're sitting down with Senator Sarah McBride and Verna Hensley, the vice president of public affairs at Easterseals Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore, to discuss how to effectively get in touch with busy elected officials, and how advocates—for businesses or otherwise—can work with legislators for positive changes. We’ll also explore the power of storytelling in advocacy, and why building relationships with your policymakers could be easier than you think.

The push to legalize recreational marijuana in Delaware has been going on for almost a decade, and despite previous vetoes by Governor Carney, it has passed within the legislature again. But what would the impact of legal, recreational marijuana be for Delawareans? 

At the table we have Peter S. Murphy from Saul Ewing, LLP—a lawyer who advises cannabis industry clients on licensing applications and compliance,—and John Gooden, president and COO of M. Davis & Sons. This episode explores what the new Delaware “green rush” might mean, both for employers who may have hesitations and for those who are ready to join the industry. 

NOTE: This episode was filmed prior to the passage of House Bill 1 & 2. As of April 1, 2023, both bills are waiting for action by Governor John Carney. To learn more and stay up-to-date on recreational marijuana in Delaware, visit www.DSCC.com/LegislativeJournal or contact our policy director, Tyler Micik at tmicik@dscc.com. 

What really makes a difference when it comes to mental well-being at work? In this episode, we’ll delve into why mental wellness isn’t an issue that can be shifted by providing resources individually – and talk about how systemic changes – things like better management, organization, and clearer communication – can reduce stress and make our workplaces healthier. 

At the table today is Dr. Heather Farley, chief wellness officer at ChristianaCare and Jacqueline Elaine Catalano, the director of facilities management and site services at AstraZeneca.

With Boomers delaying retirement, Gen Xers in top management roles, Millennials moving up the ladder, and Gen Z entering the workforce, there are four generations working side-by-side in the workplace, with wildly different priorities, communication styles, habits, and career goals.

In the Season Two premiere of Conversations with Kelly, Jim Lee of Strategic Foresight Investments (StratFi), and Michael Smith of Navient sit down to discuss how we can work together harmoniously, and how older generations can support their younger colleagues and mentees.

Conversations with Kelly is back for season two! Stay tuned for the premiere on March 7th! Stay up to date on www.dscc.com/podcast

In our final episode of season 1, we’re talking about remote work. The shift towards remote positions is having a huge impact on what we’ve come to expect from our jobs – and what employers have to do to remain attractive to new hires. At the table with me today are two experts in the field of Human Resources, Megan Couch, the Chief Experience Officer at Integrity Staffing Solutions, and Susan Kelliher, the Senior Vice President of People at Chemours. This conversation was recorded at the Chemours Headquarters in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Today we’re talking about Site Readiness. For those of you who may not know exactly what that is, Site Readiness is everything that needs to happen to transform an empty space into a potential site for a new business. Delaware is poised to reintroduce a number of bills that will help improve efficiency throughout this process and kickstart development projects. At the table with me today is Trisha Newcomer with the City of Seaford, and Shane Breakie of Chesapeake Utilities. This conversation was recorded at Seaford City Hall, in Seaford Delaware.

Today, on “Conversations with Kelly”, we’re talking about data. Or is it "Day-tuh?" However you choose to pronounce it, data is the most important tool that businesses can use to drive decisions in the workplace. But only if you know where to find it, when to capture it and how to analyze it. We sat down with Data Scientist, Ryan Harrington, from the Data Innovation Lab, and small business owner and active Data user, Tanya Williamson, of Married to the Ring. This conversation was recorded at CSC Station in downtown Wilmington, DE.

On this episode, it’s all about internships. Most of us has had an internship, but whether or not we’ve had a good one may be debatable. But when internships are done right, they can be very valuable – both as recruitment and training tools for businesses and as pathways to new jobs for interns. We are sitting down with with CSC’s Catrina Jefferson, who helped build and launch the Intern Delaware program, and Brody Hudson–an intern turned full-time accountant with Belfint, Lyons, and Shuman, CPAs. This conversation was recorded at CSC Station in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Today, on “Conversations with Kelly”, you guessed it! It’s all about workforce development. Right here in Delaware, we have what some people consider to be one of the best workforce development and training programs in the nation, ZipCode Wilmington. But can this model be used for other industries which are facing a shortage of qualified workers? Today, we’re speaking with two people who are at the forefront of this conversation, Desa Burton, the Executive Director of ZipCode Wilmington, and Scott Malfitano of the Delaware Workforce Development Board.

On our first episode of "Conversations with Kelly", we’re exploring the importance of workplace culture. At the table today are two Delaware business owners who run companies known for their great workplace culture. This conversation was recorded at Bluecoast Grill and Raw Bar in Rehoboth, Delaware.

Introducing Conversations with Kelly, the new show from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. Subscribe to stay up to date on new episodes!