A. Elizabeth Bernhard Email & Phone Number

Statewide

The Manufacturing Growth Alliance (MGA) is a membership-based organization that provides services to help manufacturers build smart, lead strong, and establish a pathway for future growth. Our services drive solutions that will make manufacturing in Michigan the most competitive and prosperous in the nation.We serve all sectors of manufacturing, including but not limited to food, plastics, automotive, beverage, electronics, etc. Our team is committed to listening and building the right level of services to help small manufacturers with internal operations and growth strategies.

•Led the statewide Partner Engagement Initiative, including the cultivation and growth of employer and postsecondary partnerships to ultimately meet their talent and student pipeline needs. Partnerships cultivated include Amway, Steelcase, Lyons Industries, Spectrum Health, Henry Ford Health, Consumers Energy, the University of Michigan, Alma College, DTE and more.•Created strategic partnerships with industry associations to develop demand-driven training programs. One example is the “Construction Jobs Academy of Michigan,” created in partnership with the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeast Michigan, and the Michigan Concrete Association. Within two months of program promotion over 80 applications were received for 25 spots. •Participated in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Talent Pipeline Management Academy to become highly competent in creating and leading employer collaboratives in support of their talent pipelines.•Interview key stakeholders as part of the strategic planning process, including legislators and business and industry•Provided strategic direction and training to statewide partners to ensure their increased success with partner and employer engagement. •Supported the founding Executive Director in meetings with Michigan legislators, gubernatorial and state budge offices, to maintain and grow the state appropriation. •Created partnerships with the private sector through chambers of commerce, trade unions, trade organizations, and other employer-driven convening or consortium organizations.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

• Created partnerships with business and industry to design and implement the Momentum technical training Academies, including the launch of Computer Numerical Control, Warehouse Management and Inventory Control, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control, for graduates of the Momentum Urban Employment Initiative. • Cultivated and maintained both private and public grant and donor sources, including all grant writing, sufficient to fund Urban Alliance programming on a $2,200,000 annual budget. • Developed strategic communication and marketing plans. Oversaw the development and distribution of five new logos, a new website, all collateral and program promotion materials.

●Facilitate the development and implementation of in-demand workforce training programs, based upon the garnering of regional feedback from business and industry partners. Such programs include the Phlebotomy Technician Academy, collaboratively developed with Bronson Healthcare in 2016, and the CNC Academy in partnership with Kalamazoo's Advanced Manufacturing Career Consortium. ● Spearheaded the College’s partnership with Urban Alliance and the Momentum Urban Employment Initiative, a transformational course for marginalized individuals with significant barriers to employment. Lead all aspects of the project on the college-side, from development to execution. In 19 months, successfully initiated and produced seven technical programs exclusively for the graduates of Momentum. ● Establish and manage yearly budgets for six accounts.● Create and oversee the execution of the college’s community “Life Enrichment” programs. In one year, nineteen innovative programs were successfully launched, with enrollment metrics met, across four campuses in the fields of culinary, wellness, healthcare, and sustainable foods, farms and gardens.● Supervise two full-time employees, five long-term academy instructors and over 50 independent contract instructors.● Represent the college and the Groves on internal and external committees pertaining to workforce development, community outreach and social justice.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Accomplishments: ● Researched and wrote the grant to be one of only seven institutions who applied for and received CAEL’s 2014 Jumpstart Program, with funding provided by the Lumina Foundation, for competency-based education and assessment training. Served as the college’s champion for this yearlong initiative, involving administration, faculty and staff.● Planned and developed the local initiative which brought the “Michigan Values Veterans” conference to Southwest Michigan, comprising over 40 employers in attendance, and presentations given by Congressman Fred Upton, Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief Jeff Hadley, and KVCC President Dr. Marilyn Schlack. ● Personally requested by the Michigan Community College Association to testify at the MI House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs about the success of KVCC’s Veteran Services. ● Directed, planned and managed the execution of KVCC’s annual Veterans Resource Day, including marketing and promotion, recruiting over 60 external resources to attend, and the hiring of keynote speakers. ● A frequent speaker at conferences, such as MCCA’s Success Summit, the Consortium of Michigan Veterans Educators (CMVE) annual conference, the 2014 Veteran Symposium for Higher Education at the University of Louisville, and a graduate seminar for doctoral students at Ball State University.● Chaired external and internal committees, including co-chairing the CMVE’s Best Practices and Professional Development Committee, the CMVE steering team, and the college’s Veteran Support Committee, which resulted in a threefold expansion of participation since 2012.● Represented the college externally, including frequent appearances on WKZO, on WWMT-TV Newschannel 3, in the Kalamazoo Gazette, and in frequent community meetings

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Relationship and Communication SeminarsAnti-racism and Inclusion WorkshopsPersonal, Relational, and Productivity Coaching

Kalamazoo, Michigan Area

Intercultural CommunicationGendered CommunicationInterpersonal Communication

Senior Executive High Impact CoachDiversity and Inclusion Presentations

Interpersonal Communication, with an emphasis on Privilege, Culture and Power

M. A., Communication

Honored as an "All-University Graduate Student Research Scholar" in 2009.

International Studies