Learning objectives:

Three Key Takeaways

Understand the Business Impact: Learn how childcare challenges affect recruitment, retention, absenteeism, productivity, and employee engagement—and why HR leaders should view childcare as a strategic workforce initiative rather than simply an employee benefit.

Measure the Return on Investment (ROI): Discover how organizations can quantify the financial impact of employer-sponsored backup childcare through reduced turnover, lower absenteeism, increased productivity, improved employee retention, and stronger employer branding.

Build a Practical Implementation Strategy: Leave with actionable steps, best practices, and partnership models to successfully introduce or expand a backup childcare benefit that aligns with your organization's culture, workforce needs, and business goals.

Sharon Ragland-Keys, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is a strategic HR leader, entrepreneur, and business owner with more than 25 years of experience in human resources, talent management, workforce development, and organizational leadership.

She is the owner of Jovie of Ann Arbor and Pittsburgh and College Tutors of Michigan, where she partners with employers, schools, nonprofits, and families to provide innovative childcare, tutoring, backup care, and workforce solutions that help employees thrive both at work and at home.

Sharon previously held executive HR leadership roles across multiple industries, leading initiatives in talent acquisition, employee engagement, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and change management. Her passion for developing people and strengthening workplaces continues to drive her work with organizations throughout Michigan and beyond.

A dedicated volunteer leader, Sharon serves as SHRM Michigan's Foundation Director, helping advance the SHRM Foundation's mission through workforce readiness initiatives, scholarships, certification grants, and educational opportunities for HR professionals. She is also actively involved in several community organizations focused on education, workforce development, and supporting working families.

Known for her engaging and practical presentation style, Sharon enjoys sharing real-world strategies that HR professionals can immediately apply within their organizations.

Sharon holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credentials and is passionate about helping organizations create workplaces where both employees and businesses can succeed.

Sharon enjoys roller skating and volunteering in her church's youth ministry.