2023 CONFERENCE BREAKOUT SPEAKERS

Amy Cell
Amy Cell Talent

Building a Great Team: How to develop a talent acquisition strategy that is aligned with your culture.
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Amy leads a human resources consulting firm that helps employers and communities solve their talent challenges. Prior to launching her practice in 2015, Cell was the Senior Vice President of Talent Enhancement for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Other human resources roles include Ann Arbor SPARK, Ford & the Stanford Research Institute. She also worked as a CPA for Plante & Moran before realizing that she liked people more than numbers. Amy received her BBA and MBA from the University of Michigan, where she is also on the faculty.

Chris Dotson
Holistic Leadership Solutions

A Psychologically Safe Work Environment Where Everyone Has a Voice? Yes, It's Possible!
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Chris began his career in the hospitality field where he led multiple restaurant concepts to record levels of sales and profitability. There he discovered how energizing the study and practice of leadership, team-building, employee and leadership development, employee engagement, and culture was to him and how focusing on employee development is a driving factor in organizational success. In his role at Eastern Michigan University, he leads staff learning and development, talent acquisition, and employee wellness programs. He has been a leader in several University initiatives including creating and implementing DEIB training, evaluating and implementing well-being policies and practices in our changing work environment, and project lead in the implementation of a new talent management system. He is a Gallup Certified strengths-based coach and OD practitioner. He works with individuals and teams to learn how to use their individual and collective strengths to be more cohesive, inclusive, and innovative.

Nathan Leaman
Frontline Training Solutions

Creating a Leadership Development Framework
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Nathan brings over 20 years of leadership and HR experience. Nathan has a bachelor’s degree from the Moody Bible Institute, a master’s degree from Liberty University and received his coaching certification from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Nathan spent seven years in church ministry before working for 13 years at the Kohler Co. At Kohler, Nathan moved through various HR roles eventually taking the position of Director-Leadership Development. Nathan also held various executive HR roles for the Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI where he was responsible for Organizational Development, Compensation, Benefits Management and HRIS. Nathan has extensive experience with assessment tools and is certified in multiple personality and 360° feedback assessments. His straightforward style, willingness to tackle difficult issues, genuine interest in seeing others grow and ability to coach at all levels makes Nathan a go-to resource for strategic HR support and executive development.

Wayne Lilyestrom
Grail

Groundbreaking Early Cancer Detection Test: Lifesaving for Employees & Cost-Saving for Employers
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Lewis Lin
ManageBetter

ChatGPT, AI, and the Future of Performance Reviews
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Lewis C. Lin is a leading expert in the field of AI and its impact on the workplace. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University, where he was classically-trained by the founding father of AI, Professor Nils Nilsson. Lin’s research today focuses on the use of AI in performance management. Lin is currently the CEO of ManageBetter, where he leads the company's efforts to integrate AI technology into performance management, with an emphasis on transparency and eliminating human biases. He is a frequent and sought-after speaker at leading institutions including Stanford, MIT, and Yale University. His experience in both academia and industry gives him a unique perspective on the potential impact of AI on the performance review process, and he is excited to share his insights with our attendees.

Bill McManus
Hartford Funds

The Evolving Workscape
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Bill is part of the applied insights team for Hartford Funds. In his current position, Bill is responsible for engaging and educating both financial professionals and their clients about current and emerging opportunities in financial services. These opportunities range from tactical strategies in areas such as retirement-income planning, investment planning, and charitable planning, to anticipating and preparing for long-term demographic and lifestyle changes. Bill joined the organization in 2003 as an advisor consultant responsible for marketing Hartford Funds in Virginia and West Virginia. Bill earned his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation and is FINRA Series 7 and 63 registered. Bill has been widely quoted in consumer and trade publications such as The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s. He has also appeared as a featured guest on Bloomberg Radio to discuss his views on retirement-related topics.

Jeffrey Rogers
Graystone Consulting, a Business of Morgan Stanley

The Evolving Workscape
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Jeff Rogers is an Institutional Consultant and Financial Advisor with Graystone Consulting – Farmington Hills, from Morgan Stanley. He leads the groups’ Morgan Stanley at Work financial wellness program and Workplace Retirement Plan Consulting. Forbes Magazine named Graystone Consulting-Farmington Hills team to its lists of Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams in 2023. Jeff graduated from Northwestern University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, a minor in Business Institutions and Certificates in Leadership and Integrated Marketing. Visit https://graystone.morganstanley.com/jeffrey.rogers to learn more.

John Rogers
Graystone Consulting, a business of Morgan Stanley

The Evolving Workscape
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

John G. Rogers is an Institutional Consultant and Investing with Impact Director with Graystone Consulting – Farmington Hills, from Morgan Stanley. He leads the groups’ Morgan Stanley at Work financial wellness program, Workplace Retirement Plan Consulting and its Mission and Impact Investing initiatives. Forbes Magazine named John to its lists of America’s Top Next Generation Wealth Advisors in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams in 2023. John graduated from Northwestern University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, a minor in Business Institutions and a Certificate in Leadership. Visit https://graystone.morganstanley.com/john.g.rogers to learn more.

Thomas Sigman
Oswald Companies

Groundbreaking Early Cancer Detection Test: Lifesaving for Employees & Cost-Saving for Employers
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

As Strategic Solution Leader for Oswald, Tom Sigman’s responsible for spearheading Oswald’s employee benefits innovation platform which focuses on delivering client-driven solutions from concept to implementation. We achieve that goal by fostering the collaboration of insurance industry experts, academics and clinicians within our Clinical Advisory Board, and allow those thought leaders to interface with leading technologists and data experts. This approach allows us to deliver exceptional results to organizations and businesses for the health and well-being of their employees.

Prior to joining Oswald Tom was Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at Lorain National Bank, focusing on Employee Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll. He also worked at Koinonia Homes as their Compensation Benefits and HR Manager. Tom graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. 

Whitney White
Marsh McLennan Agency

The Impact of Inclusive Leadership
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Whitney has over ten years of experience developing, leading, marketing, and implementing corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategies, programs, and events. Whitney is a published author of the book, Five Essential Competencies of Effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leaders, a guidebook documenting what leaders need to know to elevate their DE&I efforts. Since joining Marsh McLennan Agency, Whitney has leveraged her skills to apply leading-edge thinking around employee culture and DE&I strategy. She utilizes consulting and process improvement to help MMA clients develop and implement key strategies to advance culture and DE&I integration within their organizations. Whitney is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, is a certified facilitator for Implicit Bias & Cultural Intelligence, and a Certified Diversity & Inclusion Recruiter. She has completed trainings on DE&I leadership, inclusive workplace culture, healing racism, cultural intelligence, and cultural competency.

Christian Allen
AMS Global Immigration, PC

Business Immigration Sponsorship in a Virtual, Work-From-Anywhere World
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Chris Allen is a seasoned Immigration Attorney with more than 30 years of experience assisting companies and individuals with all aspects of the U.S. immigration and corporate compliance process. He is a former Adjunct Professor at Oakland University, teaching Immigration Law for the Legal Assistant Program for more than a dozen years, and is a frequent presenter on the topic to business and HR groups. He has been consistently named to the Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Elite Lawyers, and dBusiness Top Lawyers lists since the early-2000s, in recognition of expertise in immigration law. Chris is a former Board member of the Detroit chapter of SHRM, and the most recent prior Treasurer for the Michigan Council of SHRM. He is also active in numerous other HR and Global Mobility organizations and groups across the Midwest.

Elaine Coffman
Lockton

Planning for Health Plan Cost Increases: Understanding New Market Disruptors, Changes in Fiduciary Responsibilities and Getting C-Suite Buy In
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

With more than 30 years’ experience leading clients and teams, and delivering exceptional results, Elaine joined Lockton to bring an independent, privately held firm with global resources to the Michigan market. She chose Lockton because of the culture, which combines high-performing people with best-in-class resources, balanced client assignments, the curiosity to always improve and the humbleness that creates a great service organization. Elaine specializes in innovative solutions that align with an organization’s human capital priorities and budgets, bringing integrated benefits and P&C strategies that support all levels of an organization.

Tara Colvin
Thought Design

Psychological Safety: The Real Employee Engagement Handbook
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Tara Colvin is a coach, trainer, facilitator, and co-business owner who partners with leaders and teams to grow their thinking. After spending a decade formally leading in the education world, Tara knows what it takes to nurture culture with intention, rally a team around a powerful vision, direct strategy, and develop others. She is passionate about helping people, learning new things, and supporting people and processes to reach their full potential!

Steve Dion
Dion Leadership

Executive Team Development at Health Alliance Plans (HAP): A Case-study
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Steve Dion is founder and CEO of Dion Leadership, a leadership and organization development consulting firm based in Michigan. Steve has dedicated his career to understanding and improving organizational cultures through the creation and deployment of innovative leadership development, executive coaching, team effectiveness, and talent assessment programs. His passion for improving businesses through harnessing the power of their people has led him to work with many progressive, global Fortune 1000 organizations. Serving in corporate roles for over 25 years, Steve has leveraged this real-world experience as a CHRO and global business leader to provide leadership and organizational development consulting for over a decade. Steve is an executive board member at Fast Company and a regular contributor to ATD, CEO World, Chief Executive, Training Industry, and HR Certification Institute’s (HRCI) HR Leads Business blog.

Esther Jackson
Lynnjac Consulting

A 5 Cs Approach to Formulating Your DEI Strategy With Adaptability
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Dr. Esther Jackson is the CEO of Lynnjac Consulting and National Speaker. She's also an Instructor with the University of Pittsburgh and another institution. Her speaking presentations include topics such as emotional intelligence, DEI, leadership development, and project management. One additional topic that is near and dear to her is adaptability which is also the subject of her first book published by ATD in 2021--Adaptability in Talent Development. You can find more of her literary works in TD Magazine, ISPI Xpress, and the Training Industry website. She has presented at the ATD International Conference & Expo, BambooHR's HR Summit, Training Magazine Conference & Expo, and the Ohio SHRM HR Conference. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's in Education from Wayne State University. Her doctorate is in Higher Education and Adult Learning from Walden University. Adaptability Quotient Foundations and Certified Diversity Executive (in progress) are a couple of her certifications.

Vakassia Niles
The Niles Group

Who’s on Deck? Succession Planning that Eliminates Fears and Reduces Cost
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Vakassia J. Niles ("V.J."), MBA is a Career Strategist and Founder of The Niles Group, a company dedicating to helping individuals take their ultimate career leap. She takes her vast knowledge from working in four industries to arm midcareer professionals with essential tools and strategies to develop their careers. V.J. has over 20 years of experience in corporate and academia providing presentations and trainings. She understands how to climb the corporate ladder, how to transition a career, and how to grow a professional career brand. V.J. has been published in MBA Women magazine, and is a contributing author to "Just Me: The Business Woman's Personal Branding Guide". V.J. frequently speaks on career strategy and development, career pivots, leadership, team development, DEI, LinkedIn and networking. Her past speaking engagements include Panasonic, Tesla, GlaxoSmithKline, DisruptHR NYC, NCSHRM, Centene, and National Black MBA Association.

Denise VanEck
Thought Design

Psychological Safety: The Real Employee Engagement Handbook
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Veteran executive coach and thought leader Denise McClennen has dedicated her career to helping individuals, and some of the nation’s largest brands perform more effectively and collaboratively. She created Thought Design in 2013 to allow her to create and curate the physical environment for her high-performance thinking programs. Through Denise’s specialty in applied neuroscience, she helps people generate insight and create the conditions for learning and performance through unique learning experiences that incorporate brain science, adult development science, and the latest research on performance and business development.

Michelle Westfort
InStride

On-ramps to success: Helping employees at all levels and from all backgrounds achieve their goals
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Michelle Westfort brings more than 20 years of professional experience in higher education programs and partnerships to InStride. As Chief University Officer, she leads the development of InStride’s global network of academic partners. Prior to joining InStride, Michelle was the VP of Business Development for The Learning House (acquired by Wiley) where she was responsible for developing higher education partnerships to build online programs. Previously, she held leadership positions at Pivot Worldwide and at Navitas, the pathway provider responsible for expanding enrollments at U.S.-based public universities from major markets including the Middle East, China and Latin America. She has studied at INSEAD in Singapore through a corporate-sponsored program and holds a Doctor of Education, Organizational Leadership from Argosy University, a Master of Arts from New Jersey City University and a Bachelor of Arts from Monmouth University and has taken courses through Harvard Extension and the University of California-Irvine.

Pamela Basal
DoD- Reserve Component Transition Assistant Advisor

How to Attract, Employ and Retain Veterans and Service Members
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Pam has worked as an RCTAA since November 2021. She became a Team Leader in June 2022. Prior to her current job, she retired from the Michigan Department of Corrections after 31 years of service. In addition to her Officer duties, she worked in recruitment, hiring and with Veteran groups. She serves as UP Area Chair for ESGR, committee member of Together With Veterans, member of Marquette County Veteran Alliance and SSFA treasurer. Networking with Veteran organizations and doing outreach wherever possible is Pam's specialty. This allows her to help Veterans and Service Members all over Michigan connect to their benefits. One of those benefits is employment. She has a key understanding of what employers are looking for, how to attract Veterans and Service Members, how to navigate the language barrier when interviewing a Veteran or Service Member, and how to support our Veterans and Service Members once hired.

Greg Coyne
Sandler by Gerry Weinberg & Associates

From Finger-Pointing to Problem-Solving: Creating a Culture of Accountability
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Greg Coyne, A Sandler Business Consultant for over 10 years, lives by the Sandler Rule: “A life without risk, is a life without growth.” During the past decade, he has developed powerful tools and techniques which have helped companies dramatically increase revenues, by changing their business mindset and behaviors, and attitudes they use. A sizable number of his clients have a 30% or better increase in their revenues within the first 12 months. Greg has been featured in the Michigan Business Network and the Small Business Association of Michigan publications, as well as numerous Podcasts, including, “Time to Shine”, “Business Vitality”, and “The J & K” Podcasts. Greg’s professional background also includes over fifteen years as a business development and Customer Success Agent for international companies such as CBS Outdoor, EDS, and Fleet Capital Leasing. Mr. Coyne holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Albion College.

Julie Doyle
HRC Consulting Services

Understanding Pay Equity: Implementing Compensation Strategies to Bridge the Pay Equity Gap
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Julie Doyle is a Principal Consultant with HRC Consulting Services in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has devoted her career to elevating the human resources function in organizations. Julie has held the senior HR leadership role with organizations in many different industries. Her proven track record of driving business results through great human resources process, leading culture change, solving complex business challenges with the senior leaders and developing high-performing teams is appreciated by HRC clients. Julie’s passion to elevate the human resources profession is evident by her volunteer roles leading local and state-level SHRM groups. She has served as the President of Greater Cincinnati HR Association, 2018 Ohio HR Conference Chair, and is currently serving as Ohio SHRM Past State Council Director.

Ruby Hamacher
Gallagher

Taking Action On Social Determinants Of Health
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Ruby Hamacher is a Managing Director with Gallagher’s Human Resources & Compensation Consulting practice. Ruby offers extensive experience in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and is the recipient of multiple community DEI awards. Ruby has previously led the DEI and HR Compliance teams at large public and private global organizations, with additional experience in manufacturing, retail, and healthcare sectors. She specializes in the design, implementation and management of diversity and inclusion strategies, programs, and initiatives to attract diverse talent, increase retention, promote inclusion, and develop employer-of-choice branding. In addition to DEI initiatives, she partners with organizations on continuous improvement, workforce data analytics, community connections, employee training and group facilitation. Ruby is a frequent speaker and presenter at national and regional conferences, and contributes as an HR Subject Matter Expert for SHRM (Society of Human Resources Management) as an exam and content writer.

Kimara Mayberry
Platinum Consulting Group, LLC

The Future of Work: Effective Inclusive Leadership and Change Management Strategies for our evolving New Normal
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Kimara P. Mayberry is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Platinum Consulting Group, LLC. She is a nationally PHR and SHRM-CP certified Strategic Business and Human Resources Leader, with extensive experience in the Non-Profit, Supply Chain/Food Distribution, Construction, Healthcare, Higher Education and Manufacturing Industries. Her areas of expertise include Human Resources Management & Talent Development, Employee Relations, Training/Instructional Design, Leadership Coaching, Performance Management, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging. Kimara is a 2007 graduate of Philander Smith College with a B.A. in Organizational Management, Cum Laude and Distinction in Field. She graduated in 2012 with an M.B.A in Ethics and Business Administration from Harding University, in Searcy, Arkansas. Kimara has been nationally certified as a PHR (Human Resources Professional), a SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional) and a CHAA (Certified Health Access Associate).

Nancy Wood
Flawless

Growth Opportunities Your Employees Really Want
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

As a lifelong introvert, Nancy never really considered herself a “people person”, until she became a People (Ops) person. Combining her experience as an event planner with a legal education, moving into HR was a natural step in her career. She focuses on building an exceptional employee experience and all that that entails, while minimizing risk for the company. These days, Nancy spends her time working on how to make work better, easier, and more enjoyable, especially for remote teams. Nancy’s current role as VP of People has her building the foundation, culture, and future of Flawless, an embedded, on-demand recruiting solution with flexible services designed to help clients tackle their unique hiring challenges.

Andrew Bishop
RecogNation

Recognition Fallacies: Common Misconceptions about Recognition in the Workplace
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

RecogNation is an employee engagement company that supports organizations in developing, deploying, and administering employee engagement strategies and programs to create highly engaged and authentically connected teams. Andrew Bishop, CRP is a seasoned speaker, trainer, content creator, and leader who provides thought leadership on topics such as corporate culture, employee engagement, leadership, team performance, and recognition best practices. He is also a key contributor to The RecogNATION Podcast, and an Advisory Board Member for Recognition Professionals International, HR.com, and West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.

Brooke Dudick
Grand Valley State University

Human Resources Management Professionals Encompassing Awareness, Assistive Technology Knowledge, and Workplace Accommodations (AT-WA)
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Brooke Dudick is a Master of Public Health Candidate with an emphasis in Epidemiology at Grand Valley State University as well as a research assistant for Dr. Julia VanderMolen. Her research interests include chronic disease and environmental epidemiology. Current research is focused on assessing human resource professionals knowledge of assistive technology and workplace accommodations.

Edward Eadeh
E & E Tech

Cyber Security will kill your business
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

With many years of experience in entrepreneurship, management, business planning, operations and decision analysis, Edward has the experience needed to quickly understand entrepreneurs’ businesses and craft the most suitable solutions with a focus on technology and cyber security. He has spoken to boards and companies in regards to technology efficiency, and the threat landscape along the cyber front.

Jeff Harry
Rediscover Your Play

Making Work Suck Less by Fixing Broken HR Systems
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Jeff Harry combines positive psychology and play to heal workplaces, help teams build psychological safety and assist individuals in addressing their biggest challenges by embracing a play-oriented approach to work. Jeff was selected by BambooHR & Engagedly as one of the Top 100 HR Influencers and has been featured in the NY Times, Mashable, Upworthy, Huffpost, Shondaland, & Wired. Jeff has worked with Google, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Adobe, the NFL, Amazon, and Facebook, helping their staff to infuse more play into the day-to-day. Over the past 15 years of facilitation and speaking, Jeff’s main goal has been to help work suck less by assisting leaders in building a playground workplace atmosphere that motivates their staff to do their most vibrant work.

Mike Rhodabarger
ExecuSpect Leadership Development

Avoiding Toxic Candidates...Transform The Hiring Process
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

As founder and primary consultant of ExecuSpect Leadership Development, his passion for leadership started in Northeast, Ohio in 1995. It was then that he was first challenged to provide training for a project at Molded Fiber Glass, where he was employed. Since then, he has worked for several companies in management and corporate training positions working with and developing their management teams. He holds a PhD in organizational leadership as well as a Master’s in counseling. Through his experiences and education, he has developed an assessment that measures leadership competencies for individual improvement, creating greater capacity for personal and professional success. Clients who have benefitted from his unique developmental process span the globe. He is also a public speaker and author of two leadership books. Calling Bay City, Michigan home, Dr. Mike has been married to his wife since 1992. They have three children and two grandsons.

Elizabeth Robinson
HAP

What does Medicare mean for you and your employees?
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Elizabeth Robinson is a licensed and certified health, accident and life insurance agent with over 12 years of experience in the health insurance industry and is an expert in Medicare and individual/family plans. As a Medicare Outreach Developer for HAP, her role empowers her to build, bridge and broaden successful relationships with different organizations and professionals who serve or work with Medicare beneficiaries. Leveraging these relationships into opportunities to collaborate, she creates educational content targeted to different audiences to build trust and make herself available as a resource. Her first-hand experience with her aging parents and working in this industry gives her the empathy needed to effectively work with and serve the ever-growing Medicare-eligible population.

Julia VanderMolen
Grand Valley State University

Human Resources Management Professionals Encompassing Awareness, Assistive Technology Knowledge, and Workplace Accommodations (AT-WA)
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Dr. Julia VanderMolen is an Associate Professor for the Public Health program at Grand Valley State University. Her research examines the benefits of assistive technology and disabilities in public health. She is a board member of the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Disability Advocates of Kent County and an active member of the Disability section of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Her current research is to explore and assess small to midsize companies' awareness and knowledge of Assistive Technology and Workplace Accommodation leading practices used by hiring managers and human resources management professionals for employing persons with low vision or blindness.

Jeremy York
InvigorateHR, LLC

Advancing Equity and Diversity by Using Emotionally-Inclusive Practices in the Workplace
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Lead Consultant and President of InvigorateHR and coauthor of the “JoyPowered Organization.” He has over 20 years' experience in human resource strategy and business operations where he has worked with and advised all levels of management on critical business and people-related issues. Jeremy's expertise in defining and understanding the "big picture" enables him to translate business needs into tangible solutions. With his guidance, organizations have improved employee relations, increased performance, and developed cultures based on mutual trust and respect. Jeremy holds a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Purdue University. He has served as adjunct faculty for Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis for over 15 years teaching various leadership and human resources curriculums. Jeremy is a national speaker and currently serves as an advisor on the Society for Human Resource Management’s Diversity Taskforce.

Paul Artale
Work-Life Playground, LLC

Maximum Ability: How to Create a Disability Inclusive Culture at Work
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Dr. Paul Artale is an award-winning speaker, researcher, and author who is committed to helping organizations create high performance cultures through inclusion and leveraging strengths. Paul obtained his PhD from Michigan State University where his research focused on the positive impact workplace flexibility has on employee retention and engagement. These flexibility strategies are detailed in Paul’s first book The 2-Year Old’s Guide to Work-Life Balance. A former special education teacher, Paul was awarded the Drudl Award from the University of Toronto for excellence in special education. Paul has written on the topic of disability for several publications and is currently writing his next book: Maximum Ability: How to Recruit and Retain Employees with Disabilities. On a personal level, Paul was born with a limb difference. Paul walked on and played defensive end for the University of Toronto before spending several years as a college football coach.

Lei Comerford
Lei Comerford Consulting, LLC

Unlock Your Potential: Connecting Passion, Purpose, and Skills
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Lei partners with individuals and organizations to elevate their communication skills, relationships, and leadership effectiveness. Lei is an effective Leadership & Executive Coach, Facilitator, Speaker, and Learning & Development Consultant with over 15 years of strategic and operational experience in healthcare and over 5 years in hospitality. She has held many internal leadership roles in corporate settings as well as is the founder of her own consulting firm. Lei is a master facilitator certified in a variety of assessment tools, holds the ACC accreditation through the International Coaching Federation (ICF), and is a Maxwell Leadership Team Certified Speaker, Coach, and Trainer. She has a passion for helping others reach beyond their goals through increased self-awareness with an objective to empower effectiveness and engagement with each client! Lei currently volunteers with the Nashville ATD Chapter as a Board Member and gives back via coaching services through the Humanitarian Coaches Network.

Scott Dobson
Consumers Credit Union

TURN DOWN TURNOVER by paying attention to payday
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Scott has been a professional in the Financial Services Industry for over 20 years helping businesses and their employees understand how employee personal finances influence job satisfaction, engagement, and retention. Scott understands money and personal finance are not always the most entertaining subjects but his high energy delivery, engaging stories, and simple but life changing ideas for managing personal finances ensure attendees participate in the presentations, enjoy the time spent, and take away some great tips.

Lauren Harris
Advantage Benefits Group

Stop cost-shifting: How HR can leverage new transparency laws to sustain exceptional employee benefits
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Advantage Benefits Group remains the largest independent exclusive employee benefits agency in Michigan, serving employers for 25 years. As an Employee Benefits Consultant with Advantage Benefits Group, Lauren brings over 11 years of employee benefits experience to her clients. She is responsible for developing innovative and cost-effective employee benefit strategies that put her client's best interests first. Lauren is passionate about leveraging analytics and education to maximize health outcomes and eliminate unnecessary costs. Lauren remains heavily involved in the northern Michigan community by serving as a Board Director for Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, and Board Member for Venture North. Lauren is also an active member of the Traverse Area Human Resources Association, Traverse Connect Government Relations Committee and a member of Impact 100.

Liesl Hays
Aligned Talent Consulting

First Impressions Matter: Onboarding Done Right
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Liesl Hays is an author, entrepreneur and human resources strategist. For fifteen years, Liesl has provided strategic direction to small, medium and large businesses on their human capital needs. Most recently, Liesl was a Human Resources Strategist at one of the largest global Healthcare IT companies in the world. After leaving her corporate job in 2016, she opened her own Human Resources Consulting business called Aligned Talent Consulting. In 2021, Liesl released her first book through Morgan James Publishing: Broken, Changed & Rearranged. This self-development book shares her journey of chasing traditional paths towards success to discover she was woefully unhappy locked inside her 60-hour a week grind. Her inspiring story empowers others to step outside the traditional definitions of success in order to chase what provides them meaning. Liesl runs on coffee, “to do lists,” and the belief that life begins after you agree to write your own story.

Tom Moore
BHS Insurance

Active Shooter & Critical Incident Response
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Tom Moore joined BHS Insurance agency in October of 2017, but has been in the business for 21 years. Tom is a Certified Insurance Counselor and Certified Risk Manager. He just became a partner effective January 1st of this year and also took on leadership responsibilities in the BHS Holland office. Tom and his teamwork with a broad variety of businesses to design the best insurance and risk management programs available. Tom is passionate about building strong long-term relationships with clients. He feels like the best clients for him are those who want to take a very active approach in caring for their employees and protecting the company assets. Tom works very closely with the BHS in-house Risk Management and HR Consulting team to deliver a 360- degree view of his client’s exposure to risk.

Melissa O'Daniel
Aligned Talent Consulting

First Impressions Matter: Onboarding Done Right
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Melissa is obsessed with ensuring her clients maximize their unique and individual potential. After spending 18 years in Human Resources with a Fortune 500 Healthcare IT company, she left her corporate job in 2018 to pursue her passion for employee development.  Melissa believes exploring, cultivating, and leveraging each person’s unique strengths is the key to success and ensuring people find passion in their work.  As a storyteller and root cause analyzer, she enjoys looking beyond the surface level of a business challenge to determine its root cause then aligning strategies which solve issues versus treating symptoms.  In her free time, Melissa’s an organic veggie gardener with a love of sunshine, books (fiction please!) and ginger tea.  

Jason Russell
Secure Education Consultants

Active Shooter & Critical Incident Response
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Jason Russell is Founder and President of Secure Education Consultants. As president of SEC, Jason leads a team of former federal law enforcement agents, police officials, and military specialists, in delivering White House-level threat assessment and protection to schools and businesses. 

In this role, Jason is responsible for overseeing all company operations, product development, and quality assurance. Jason has grown this business to serve hundreds of clients across the nation and beyond. 

Jason served with the United States Secret Service as a Special Agent. During his tenure, Jason was involved in protective and investigative assignments as well as protecting the President and Vice President along with all living former Presidents. In addition to protection assignments, Jason served as the Secret Service Lead Instructor at the International Law Enforcement Academy, a Physical Fitness Coordinator, and on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 

Jason began his law enforcement career with the Lansing Police Department (LPD). While with the LPD, Jason was recognized with a lifesaving award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Jason has worked on the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, and various multi-jurisdictional enforcement initiatives. 

Jason is a frequent keynote and content speaker at conferences on the topics of emergency preparedness, active shooter response, and safety and security process. Jason additionally has taught criminal investigation and security courses as an adjunct professor. 

Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jason holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Michigan State University. 

Mary Schafer
ADP

Got Transformation? How to Drive Awareness and Adoption for a Technology Change
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Mary serves as Vice President in ADP’s Strategic Advisory Services organization and is responsible for helping clients across all industries with transformation, change management and communications. She works with clients to provide leading practices, advice, insights, and effective transformation strategies to help organizations meet their HR goals. Mary is also a regular speaker for industry and ADP events. Mary has 20+ years of experience and has held senior marketing, communications, and change management leadership positions at organizations such as ADP, First Data, MCI, Waggener Edstrom, and Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations. She is committed to mentoring women in the workforce and is a repeat mentor for the Pathbuilders organization in Atlanta. Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and an MBA from The University of Georgia.

Kim Slager
BHS Insurance

Active Shooter & Critical Incident Response
Thursday, Oct 19 2023 | 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM

Kim Slager joined BHS Insurance in April 2012 as a Property & Casualty Specialist and became a partner in 2020. Prior to joining BHS, Kim worked for Selective Insurance for 15 years leading new business production for Michigan as the Territory Manager and Westfield Companies for 5 years in Madison, WI as a field underwriter. With over 25 years of industry experience, Kim manages a large diverse book of business and is the team leader for our proprietary national public gardens program.

Kim graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and psychology. She holds the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) & Certified Risk Manager (CRM). She serves on the Executive Committee for Geneva Camp and Retreat Center in Holland, MI. Kim is a native of Grandville, MI and currently lives in the city with her husband and two children. 

Eric Bowe
Primal Idea

Leading a Cultural Jam Session: A collaborative approach to engage employees in generating cultural ideas that increase morale, productivity, and profitability.
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Eric is passionate about unlocking creativity. He has developed and adopted effective methods that get the most out of a brainstorming team. He is also a lifelong student of the creative process and enjoys immersing himself in documentaries about famous artists, songwriters, writers, inventors, and filmmakers. These artists stories help illustrate many of the methods outlined in this session. Eric has helped clients generate breakthrough ideas in a rapidly evolving marketplace for over past two decades. He has led over one-thousand brainstorming sessions for businesses ranging from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurial start-ups. These clients include Ford Motor Company, Colonial Williamsburg, Bob Evans, ALDI, Jeep, Goodwill, and Pure Michigan.

Nathalie Davis
NLD Coaching & Consulting

Workplace Bullies - Who Does HR Protect?
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Nathalie (aka Nat) began her 25+ year career in Human Resources as an EEO Coordinator. She progressed in her HR career over the years to become Chief People and Culture Officer at her last company. From there, she decided to start her own consulting firm, NLD Coaching & Consulting. Nat’s educational background includes a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois – Champaign, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, a Certificate of Paralegal Studies from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and an anticipated PhD in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Her dissertation will focus on the impact of human resources of preventing workplace bullying. She currently is an authorized partner of The Workplace Bullying Institute and now lectures on the issue.

Chuck Langeland
Strategic Retirement Partners

Pensionize Your 401k- the Best of Both Worlds
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Strategic Retirement Partners’ Managing Director for Michigan, Chuck Langeland, is a veteran of the retirement plan industry with a time-tested track record and more than twenty years of experience under his belt. Prior to joining SRP, he had the opportunity to work in all aspects of the retirement plan industry, from record keeping and third-party administration to fiduciary investment advice. Through his different roles and experiences, Chuck has developed a deep understanding of the industry and how he can best support his clients, no matter their retirement needs or goals.

Chuck takes a consultative approach to retirement planning to establish best practices and assist employers in creating an efficient and cost-effective retirement program. His focus is on providing his clients with a full suite of consulting services to help retirement plan sponsors to manage their fiduciary responsibilities. Chuck then works with each fiduciary to identify their retirement plan objectives and utilizes a careful and well-documented process to help them design a plan to maximize participant outcomes.

Chuck earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Tech and is passionate about furthering his knowledge so he can continue to provide his clients with the highest quality services. He has completed a number of courses and certifications and is a Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA).

Outside of work, Chuck loves spending time with his wife, Kim, and kids, Reese and Evan. He enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities such as boating, golfing, skiing and snowboarding, as well as cheering on the Virginia Tech football team, Go Hokies!

Kristopher Powell
HRPro/BenePro

Building Your Employer Brand
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Leader, Innovator, Golf Nut. These are the words that best describe Kris Powell, CEO of HRPro/BenePro (but not necessarily in that order!). Kris founded BenePro and AdminPro in 1990, sensing an ever-growing need on the part of employers to take better care of their employees in an economical manner. Realizing that need was evolving and changing, he changed the name of AdminPro to HRPro in 2012 to recognize the company’s growing practice in human resources consulting and services. Kris is driven by the desire to help employers take better care of their employees. As a believer in “practice what you preach” he has also built HRPro/BenePro into a great place to work that has won numerous awards, including being in the top 10 “Crain’s Coolest Places to Work” in Michigan for many years.. A native Detroiter and graduate of Oakland University, Kris has been involved in many community activities.

Linda Taylor
Executive Rhythm

Leading a Cultural Jam Session: A collaborative approach to engage employees in generating cultural ideas that increase morale, productivity, and profitability.
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Linda believes the key to unlocking organizational potential is by nurturing inspirational leaders. Throughout her career, Linda has coached executives and managers to rise above the basic business requirements and become the type of leader that people want to follow. Brainstorming is no different. Linda applies this passion to brainstorming by training people on techniques to lead a team in order to get to next level thinking. Linda has led all aspects of the human resource function, but her passion always centered around talent acquisition and retention, leadership development and change management. Linda has spent more than 25 years nurturing and developing talent at some of the world’s most respected advertising agencies. Throughout her career she has led human resources teams at Campbell-Ewald, J. Walter Thompson, Leo Burnett, The Garage Team Mazda, GTB and BBDO.

Tashee Brown
Behavioral Health Systems, Inc

A New Era of Mental Health in the Workplace: A Leadership Series
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Tashee Brown is an experienced Master’s-level Clinical/Medical Social Worker with extensive practice in crisis counseling, community crisis intervention, individual and family counseling. Tashee has worked in the mental health field for nearly 10 years, focusing on awareness and crisis prevention services with United Way's Crisis Center. Tashee has conducted staff development sessions, community presentations, panel speaking, and mental health education and training. 

Prior to obtaining her MSW from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Health Education in 2015, where she was awarded the Presidential Honor Roll. Tashee was recently awarded UAB’s MSW Outstanding Student of the Year for 2023. Tashee is a member of several organizations including the National Association of Social Workers, Council of Social Work Education and SAMSHA’s Fellowship program. 

Tashee is a mental health advocate who enjoys spending time with her dog, Shakespeare, as well as gardening. 

Amy Forehand
The Forehand Company

Grow Employeeship - Going Beyond Traditional Employee Engagement Approaches to Unlock Your Talent Potential
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Amy Forehand, the founder of The Forehand Company, is an employeeship coach and consultant who enables success by guiding emerging and current managers to Grow Employeeship™ and build thriving cultures. She creates stronger partnerships between employees and their leaders by creating constructive behaviors and habits. She believes employees thrive when the right conditions are created and works with leaders to ensure those conditions are created on purpose. Amy resides in Chelsea, MI with her husband and two sons. She proudly serves as President of the Chelsea Education Foundation where she helps create conditions for students to thrive through teacher grants and graduate scholarships.

Brian Maue
TiER1 Performance

How Leaders Sense & Shape the Uncertain Future
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Dr. Brian “Beam” Maue’s street cred of knowing how to use Human Behavior insights rose after he retired from the military. Beam was asked to become the startup years leader of a new Air Force innovation organization--AFWERX. In just three years’ time, Beam and the AFWERX team turned a Pentagon idea into an actual organization that Fast Company ranked as #16 in the world as a “Best Workplace for Innovators” (out of 865 organizations evaluated). For comparison, Amazon was ranked #18 that year. Beam’s military experiences included teaching at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Department of Management as well as the National Military Academy of Afghanistan. Coaching youth soccer, being a Cub Scouts den leader, and guiding five kiddos with his wife have also provided many informal insights on individual, team and organizational development (and humor!). Beam currently serves as a Principal at TiER1 Performance consulting.

Tim Ullrey
DISHER

Creating a Culture of Innovation
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Tim Ullrey is passionate about innovation and helping organizations take advantage of new opportunities. Tim serves as Team Lead and Project Manager for Product Development at DISHER, a nationally ranked engineering, manufacturing technology, and talent solutions firm based in Zeeland, Michigan. Tim brings almost two decades of experience in product development engineering, project management, and facilitation with clients ranging from small entrepreneurs and mid-size manufacturers to large Fortune 500 suppliers and OEMs. He loves to help clients discover new product possibilities and bring them to life. Tim has worked with organizations from a diverse set of industries including automotive, furniture, medical, consumer product, battery technology, and mobility. His excellent communication skills, winsome personality, and cross-functional engineering background makes him a go-to source for speaking engagements, workshops, and meeting facilitation. Tim received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Kalamazoo College and his master’s in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.

Sheri Welsh
Welsh & Associates

Wait - What? That's not in my job description!
Friday, Oct 20 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM

Sheri Welsh is the CEO of Welsh & Associates, Inc. Established in 2002 as a full-service executive search and professional recruiting services firm serving all of West Michigan, today the firm is recognized as a regional leader in the search industry. A Certified Woman Owned Business (WBE), Welsh & Associates success has been built upon a solid foundation of ethical conduct and long-term, trusting relationships with employers and professionals alike. Sheri holds a BS in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and is a SHRM-SCP, Certified Personnel Consultant and Certified Employee Retention Specialist. She is a Past Board Chair of the Leadership Kalamazoo Advisory Council, YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Go Red For Women and the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce. Currently, she serves on the board of directors for the Small Business Association of Michigan, Kalamazoo Communities in Schools and Kalamazoo County Ready 4’s.