CEO Coffee Conversations
Join me, CEO Ryan Gruhala, for a conversation over a cup of coffee.
One of my goals as CEO is to create opportunities for open dialogue, strengthen connections across Emmaus, and hear directly from employees about their experiences, ideas, and perspectives. That’s why I’m excited to invite you to participate in our CEO Coffee Conversations program. These small-group conversations are designed to be informal, engaging, and focused on listening and learning. The program is intended to provide employees with a direct opportunity to connect with leadership, share feedback, ask questions, and help shape the future of Emmaus Homes. These events will be held in Washington at Exit 11 and others at the Corporate Office in the Board Room. Be sure to sign up only once at the location you want to attend, as labeled.
How it works:
- Each session is limited to 8 participants to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the conversation.
- Once a session is full, please select another available date.
- Sessions will alternate from our Washington Exit 11 office or the Corporate Office in St. Charles in the boardroom, with locations alternating by month to make it easier for employees to attend a session closer to where they live or work.
- Participation is voluntary but highly encouraged.
- FAQs are provided below for additional information and common questions.
These conversations are not intended for individual employee concerns, HR matters, client situations, scheduling, payroll, or day-to-day operational issues. Please continue to address those topics through your supervisor, department leader, Human Resources, or the established process.
This space is for broader feedback, shared themes, ideas, and opportunities to strengthen Emmaus. Good things to bring to the conversation might include:
- What’s working well: examples from your team, home, or department that others could learn from
- Ideas for improvement: communication, employee support, recognition, or barriers that make work harder than it needs to be
- Community and growth opportunities: places where Emmaus could be more visible for recruiting or finding new donors, or ideas for helping clients become more engaged in community activities
- Best practices to share: practical things happening in homes that others may want to adopt and we could promote
- Questions about Emmaus’ future: where we are headed and how we can continue improving the experience of the people we support
Sessions will be held at two locations: the St. Charles Main Office and the Washington Exit 11 Office. Please review the schedule to confirm the location for each session.
If Sessions Do Not Fill
To help ensure these conversations include a variety of perspectives and remain productive, leadership may periodically extend personal invitations to employees when sessions do not fill through the open sign-up process. Our goal is to create balanced representation across departments, locations, roles, and tenure throughout the organization.
In closing, I look forward to meeting with many of you over the coming months. These conversations are one of the ways we can continue building a stronger Emmaus together by listening, learning, and staying connected.
FAQs
What is Coffee with the CEO?
Coffee with the CEO is an informal opportunity for employees to connect with the CEO, share perspectives, ask questions, and discuss broader organizational topics.
Who can attend?
All employees across Emmaus, including DSPs, are welcome to attend.
Where will sessions be held?
Sessions will be held at two locations: the St. Charles Main Office and the Washington Exit 11 Office. Please review the schedule to confirm the location for each session.
Which location should I choose?
Please sign up for the location closest to where you live or work so both locations remain available for employees in those areas.
Do I need to tell my supervisor I am attending?
Yes. Employees should discuss attendance with their supervisor before registering. If staffing coverage, client needs, or other operational priorities prevent attendance, supervisors should help the employee select another available session. If the session takes place on your scheduled day off, supervisor notification is not required.
Can I attend more than one session?
Employees may sign up for one Coffee with the CEO session per year, so there is room for everyone to participate. In some cases, employees may be invited to an additional session based on their knowledge, experience, or interest in a specific topic.
Will I be paid for attending?
Yes. Time spent attending Coffee with the CEO will be paid at your hourly rate and included in any overtime calculations for that pay week. Employees should clock in or submit a pay change request for the meeting start and end times.
Is mileage reimbursable?
Yes, if the mileage meets the requirements of Emmaus’ standard mileage reimbursement policy.
Can I bring a client, friend, or family member?
No. These sessions are for employees only. Please attend on your own and use the time to share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback about the organization.
What if I sign up and can no longer attend?
Please notify us as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to another employee. Because sessions are small, we ask employees to make every effort to attend after signing up, while recognizing that unexpected situations can arise.
Will I receive an attendance point if I do not attend?
No. Choosing not to attend, or being unable to attend, will not result in an attendance point.
Can Client Services employees bring clients?
No. To keep the focus on employee feedback and discussion, Client Services employees should not bring clients to these sessions.
What topics should I bring?
Employees are encouraged to bring ideas, feedback, suggestions, and questions about Emmaus, including ways we can improve and better support employees and the people we serve.
Are there topics that should not be discussed?
Yes. These sessions are not intended for highly personal, confidential, or individual employment matters, including medical accommodations, leave requests, harassment complaints, or individual employee relations concerns. Those matters should be addressed through the appropriate escalation channels.
What happens with the information shared?
Feedback from Coffee with the CEO will be reviewed along with other employee listening channels, such as surveys and QR-code feedback. Leadership will look for themes and trends, consider possible actions, and share updates about what we hear, what we learn, and what actions are being considered or taken.
Will food and drinks be provided?
Yes. Light refreshments will be provided at no cost.