Event Details

Panel Discussion:  Diversifying Hiring Pools and Workforces by Considering and Hiring Persons with Previous Convictions

Panel of speakers:

Ruth Lacher, Workforce Programs and Federal Bonding Program, Job Service North Dakota

Ruth Lacher has been employed with Job Service North Dakota within the division of Workforce Programs for the past 18 years, and as the division manager since 2011. Prior to working for Job Service, Ruth was employed for ten years with the North Dakota Retirement and Investment Office, as a Retirement Benefits Specialist. Ruth graduated from the University of Mary with degrees in Business Administration and Communications. A lifelong resident of Bismarck, Ruth is interested in the well-being and employment success of North Dakota’s citizens.

Phil Davis, Customer Service Area Manager, Job Service North Dakota

Phil Davis retired from the Air Force in July 2007 after 21 years’ service and began as an Industry Liaison with Job Service North Dakota (JSND), working with targeted industries to meet their workforce needs. In August 2008, he became Customer Service Area Manager with responsibility for daily operations of four Customer Service offices. In August 2018, his responsibility expanded to all nine offices. Among its training programs, Job Service offers a couple that are especially designed for job-seekers with a barrier to employment who need a second chance. Annually, JSND in Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot offers a Second Chance job fair. In Bismarck, JSND partnered with Voc-Rehab, Ministry on the Margins, and Department of Corrections for the fair.

Jane Greer, Ministry on the Margins, Bismarck

Jane Greer is a retired writer and video scriptwriter. She has volunteered with Ministry on the Margins (MOTM) since 2014. This year she began leading MOTM’s reentry program and doing in-prison ministry. She serves with Sister Kathleen Atkinson, OSB, founder of MOTM. Their mission is to help reentry begin in prison and simply continue after release.

Amy Nash, Development Director, f5 Project, Fargo

Amy L. Nash is Director of Development & Operations at F5 Project and an entrepreneur/ architect/designer. Her alma mater is North Dakota State University, with an undergraduate degree in architecture, environmental, and interior design and advanced graduate work in Natural Resource Management, emphasizing sociology, leadership, and business. What Amy loves about F5 Project is its ability to create and build community by breaking down barriers, erasing stigmas, opening real/authentic conversations, empowering potential, and fighting inequity/poverty. She has done speaking, teaching, training, and coaching. Amy is an avid runner, reader, artist/ designer, music lover, musician, and more.

Lance Anderson, North Dakota Department of Corrections, Transitional Facility Contract Administrator

Lance Anderson serves as Transitional Facility Contract Administrator for the North Dakota Department of Corrections. He is a graduate of Minot State Universities Criminal Justice program and started his career as an officer at the Missouri River Correctional Center, the minimum custody prison in Bismarck. He previously served as a facility case manager and as the Director of Inmate Classification and Movement. In his current position, he has the opportunity to work with the state’s re-entry centers for contract compliance. In addition, he reviews and selects appropriate people to transition to these facilities, and continues to coordinate the cases as they transition to the community.

This program has been submitted for 1.0 hour of continuing education credit from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

This program has been submitted for 1.0 hour of professional development credit from the Society for Human Resource (SHRM).