# Why Childcare is a CEO Problem - Nicole Riehl, EPIC

By Kevin Stevenson · Published 2026-08-16 · Updated 2026-09-01 · Healthcare on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/healthcare/why-childcare-is-a-ceo-problem-nicole-riehl-epic
Creator hub: I Don't Care

> Childcare is a workforce strategy Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is often viewed as a family issue.

## Key points

- Childcare is a significant concern for CEOs aiming to maintain workforce productivity.
- Implementing supportive childcare policies can enhance employee retention.

## Childcare is a workforce strategy

Access to high-quality, affordable childcare is often viewed as a family issue. For employers struggling with recruitment, retention, absenteeism, and workforce stability, it is increasingly a business issue as well.

> For employers struggling with recruitment, retention, absenteeism, and workforce stability, it is increasingly a business issue as well.

On this episode of \*I Don’t Care with Dr. Kevin Stevenson\*, Dr. Kevin Stevenson welcomes Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), a Denver-based nonprofit founded by business leaders to help employers address workforce challenges through greater access to quality, affordable childcare.

Drawing on experience spanning early childhood education, finance, and nonprofit leadership, Riehl connects the challenges working families face in finding reliable childcare with the broader impact those challenges can have on employers and communities.

The conversation explores why organizations should consider childcare as part of their overall workforce strategy and what can happen when business leaders take the time to better understand the needs of employees outside the workplace. When employees have greater stability at home, employers can benefit from a more reliable and engaged workforce.

## Implications for industries with workforce shortages

While the topic extends beyond healthcare, the implications are particularly relevant for an industry already confronting significant workforce shortages and retention challenges. The discussion offers a broader leadership lesson: understanding what employees need to succeed can be an important part of building stronger organizations and stronger communities.

Tags: healthcare

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