BendNEXT Foundation Seeks Input from Emerging Professionals and Employers Across Central Oregon

Survey results will help shape leadership development programs and support the region’s future workforce

The BendNEXT Foundation is seeking input from emerging professionals and employers across Central Oregon to better understand the leadership development needs, workplace experiences, and opportunities shaping the region’s next generation of leaders.  

The Emerging Professionals Employee Survey and Employer Survey are designed to gather insight across sectors, career stages, industries, regions, and roles. Feedback from both rising leaders and the organizations that employ them will help inform future leadership development programming, employer resources, and strategies that support workforce retention and long-term economic vitality in Bend and Central Oregon.

Emerging Leaders Critical to Central Oregon

Recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and skilled workforce in Central Oregon continues to be shaped by pressures such as housing affordability, broad economic headwinds, and challenges of accessing affordable, reliable childcare. Better understanding how to support and develop rising leaders within the organizations driving Bend’s success is paramount to helping these professionals build lasting roots in the community.

“Discovering what programmatic gaps exist and learning what the next generation of community leaders here needs are central to building development programs that not only grow talent here, but encourage it to stay here,” shares Chris Hart, Executive Director of the BendNEXT Foundation. “Without hearing from this portion of our workforce and our community, we risk missing an opportunity to support their continued growth in Central Oregon and failing to best develop our next generation of decision-makers.”  

Employer and employee engagement are essential to this effort. Input from stakeholders across Bend’s business ecosystem is encouraged to help build a more complete understanding of the experiences, needs, and opportunities shaping the community’s workforce and long-term vitality. Individuals who qualify as both an employer representative and an emerging professional may complete both surveys.

Each survey takes approximately 6 minutes to complete. Responses will help the BendNEXT Foundation identify leadership development needs, better understand barriers facing emerging professionals, and shape future programs that reflect the realities of Central Oregon’s workforce.

Please complete the surveys by June 30:

Emerging Professionals Employer Survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/mblDPj9/employers

Emerging Professionals Employee Survey: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/7AL5HPS/employees