Employment fraud is becoming more sophisticated and more difficult to detect. In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Allison Lambert from E&I sits down with Jim Desmond, Chief Information Security Officer at HireRight, to discuss how workforce risk is evolving and why educational institutions can no longer afford to take candidates at face value.

From identity and credential fraud to emerging workforce threats, Jim shares practical insights on what institutions need to know, how the risks are changing, and why "Verify Before Trust" is becoming a critical part of modern hiring strategies.

Whether you're involved in HR, procurement, finance, IT, compliance, or institutional leadership, this conversation will help you better understand the risks associated with fraudulent hires and how to build a stronger, more secure workforce.

Listen now to learn how your institution can protect its people, reputation, and mission from today's evolving workforce risks.

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

Colleges and universities face unique relocation challenges when moving faculty, staff, and coaches to campus. Budget constraints are an obvious challenge, but unlike businesses relocating employees, school relocation packages are usually managed at the department level, leaving employees unaware of the resources that are available. In this podcast, industry leader Sirva shares best practices and real-world insights to help institutions maximize the relocation experience, improve employee satisfaction, and make the process as seamless as possible.

Guest: Lindsay Silverstein, VP of Sales, Sirva
E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, E&I Category Marketing Manager

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

Interested in exploring smarter, cleaner, and more strategic air filtration for the places that keep our campuses running? In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, Starla Ford from E&I speaks with Tim Deleon from Filtration Concepts regarding one of the most referenced but least understood standards in our world, ASHRAE 52.2, and what it really means for campus facilities. Tune in for an inciteful discussion about what ASHRAE and MERV standards are and why they were instituted, filters in general, air filtration challenges, filter inventory challenges institutions face, how to select the right filters for your campus environment, indoor air quality and air quality ratings—and what this all means for colleges, universities, and K-12 schools nationwide.

E&I Host: Starla Ford, Sales Enablement Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Guests: Tim Deleon, Director of Marketing & Sales, Filtration Concepts

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

Listen as Allison Lambert is joined by Sarah Wood from Workplace Options to discuss why child and family wellbeing has become a critical priority for K–12 schools and higher education institutions. Tackling this growing challenge, Sarah shares insights on rising mental health needs, caregiver burnout, and the increasing complexity of support systems, while highlighting how integrated wellbeing services can better support students, families, and school communities. This conversation offers practical strategies for decision makers looking to strengthen student success, staff resilience, and family engagement in an evolving educational landscape.

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

In higher ed, international travel safety is crucial. With studies abroad, research collaborations, global partnerships, and athletics, managing risk and protecting people is crucial. But many travel programs have not kept up with need, and schools are left with more exposure to risk than they may know. 280,000 students study abroad each year, and many institutions don’t know where all their travelers are. In this podcast, E&I and CTP discuss how institutions can help keep their college president from taking a dreaded midnight phone call to learn that traveling students are in harm's way.

E&I Host: Dennis Hyde, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Guests: Morgan Hoyt, VP of Business Development & Account Management, CTP; Ben Rader, Director of Business Development, CTP

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

Transforming Labs Through Ergonomics: Healthier Spaces for Better Science

Join Allison Lambert, Category Marketing Manager at E&I Cooperative Services, as she hosts Mark Scelfo, U.S. Managing Director at Bimos—an E&I business partner through LabRepCo—for an insightful discussion on how ergonomics is transforming laboratory environments.

From preventing injuries to enhancing researcher well-being and overall lab performance, discover how smarter design and better seating choices can create healthier spaces that drive better science. Hear from Mark as he and Allison explore what it truly means to reimagine labs that put people first—and innovation forward.

E&I Host: Allison Lambert, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Guest: Mark Scelfo, U.S. Managing Director, Bimos

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

NOTE: This episode of Cooperatively Speaking features David Wheeler, of Orange County Public Schools, whose recent passing has deeply saddened all who knew him. We share this recording in honor of his legacy, leadership, and the insights he generously offered. With the support of his colleagues and community, E&I Cooperative remembers David with utmost respect and gratitude.

E&I Host:
Sue Peters, E&I Vice President, K-12 Engagement

Guest:
David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement, Orange County Public Schools

In this episode of Cooperatively Speaking, David Wheeler, Senior Director of Procurement at Orange County Public Schools, joins E&I host Sue Peters to share strategies on maximizing the power of cooperative contracts. From fleet maintenance to cutting-edge IT solutions, David reveals how his team has streamlined processes, controlled costs, and tackled challenges using cooperative purchasing. He offers a forward-looking take on trends like AI in procurement, the evolution of eProcurement platforms and the critical role of continuous professional development, inspiring procurement professionals to innovate and grow with this dynamic field.

Tune in to hear how today’s top procurement leaders are driving efficiency and future-proofing their organizations!

Relevant Links:
Orange County Public Schools Website
E&I's K-12 Commitment
E&I Website

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.

Join Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager from E&I, as he hosts Sheila Lehker, President of Cizek Associates to talk about the true costs associated with filling roles with interim hires. As retirements mount and people begin leaving the workforce, higher education has turned to interim staff members to help fill vacancies. Whether this is a strategic move to intentionally fill the role or a financial move to attempt to save dollars, the impact can be felt across a campus. Hear from Sheila as she and Matt dive deep into the true impact of interim fixes.

E&I Host: Matt Levine, Category Marketing Manager, E&I Cooperative Services
Guest: Sheila Lehker, President, Cizek Associates

Cooperatively Speaking is hosted by E&I Cooperative Services, the only member-owned, non-profit procurement cooperative exclusively focused on serving the needs of education. Visit our website at www.eandi.org/podcast.

Contact Us
Have questions, comments, or ideas for a future episode? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Cooperatively Speaking at podcast@eandi.org.

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host(s) or E&I Cooperative Services.