2024 Conference Session Descriptions

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Breakout & Keynote Session Descriptions

 

Morning Keynote
Session 1 Breakouts
Late Morning Keynote
Session 2 Breakouts
Session 3 Breakouts

Time   Program
7:30 to 8:15   Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15 to 8:30   Welcome
8:30 to 9:30  

 

Morning Keynote

Kenston Henderson  - I am a Game Changer: SELF-LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE, AND THE POWER OF COMMUNITY

Self-leadership, resilience, and the power of community are the three key elements that can transform your life both personally and professionally. To become a game-changer, you must first lead yourself effectively, taking control of your actions and decisions. Resilience is also crucial, as it allows you to overcome obstacles and setbacks and stay focused on your goals.

However, no one can achieve greatness alone, and that’s where the power of community comes in. When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and challenge you, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. 

Becoming a true “Game Changer” requires that one focus on developing their self-leadership skills, cultivating resilience, and building strong relationships within your community.

Key Program Takeaways Include:

  • Self-Leadership Discovery: Uncover potential, understand key principles, and gain confidence to lead your life
  • Game Changer Mindset: Embrace challenges for growth and resilience, transforming setbacks into stepping stones
  • Resilience Recipe: Learn ingredients for resilience, bounce back from adversity, manage stress, and stay positive
  • Cultivating Resilience: Access practical strategies for adapting to change, thriving in uncertainty
  • Meaningful Connections: Harness community power, build uplifting relationships, inspire and support others

 
9:30 to 9:45   Break

9:45 to 11:00		  

Breakout Session 1

1-A Demystifying the Certification Process:  The Why's and How's for SHRM Certification
Tiffany Brown and Alison Costello, SHRM Certification and Holmes Corporation   

Are you motivated and ready to take your career to the next level? Show employers that you have the HR expertise and competencies needed to drive organizational success by earning your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential—the only HR certification anchored in behavioral competencies and backed by SHRM’s 75 years of expertise in the industry. This session benefits anyone with an interest in learning what motivates HR professionals to pursue a SHRM credential, planning to apply for a SHRM credential, or already scheduled to sit for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. This session covers the practical basics of the SHRM certification exams and provides an opportunity to test-drive your readiness by answering sample questions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Determine which exam is right for you.
  • Explore the various in which you personalize your preparation plan.
  • Gain best practices for studying.
  • Get tips and tools to put you on the path to success.
     
Tiffany Brown, SHRM-CP serves as the Certification Specialist for SHRM Affiliate Operations and is responsible for working with SHRM local chapters and state councils to develop and implement SHRM Certification initiatives.  Before joining the SHRM Certification department, Tiffany worked with the SHRM Member Relations team as a Member Engagement Associate supporting numerous affiliates across multiple regions in their efforts to achieve their respective membership goals. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland - College Park, SHRM-CP, and SHRM People Management Qualification (PMQ).

 
 
1-B Build Trust with Candidates Before the YES! -
Inclusive Recruiting and Hiring Practices to Diversify and Grow your Candidate Pool
Diana Pastrana, Defyne

Join Diana Pastrana as she gives you take aways on how to connect and engage with diverse candidates through raising your awareness to the common challenges of the recruitment and hiring processes from the lens of three case studies.

Learn more about inclusive hiring practices and walk away with actionable, implementable changes to cast your net wider, and build trust with candidates before they say YES! 

Diana Pastrana is the visionary and founder of Defyne, LLC, dedicated to helping organizations grow through conflict. With an impressive track record spanning over a decade, she has worked across diverse industries, honing her skills in cultivating more resilient and inclusive teams. Notably, Diana holds the Inclusion Institute Certified Diversity Practitioner (IICDP) designation and holds a certificate of Conflict Resolution from Cornell University.
 
 

1-C What the Heck is Going on in Compensation?!
Rena Somersam, Newport Group
 

The challenges to finding and compensating capable production, front line or entry level employees is as challenging as ever. Top talent pay is made more complicated by the options available with remote and flexible work arrangements. 

This session will identify the most effective techniques to use compensation strategies to help an organization attract, retain and motivate employees. We will explore the latest impacts on base salary, premiums and incentives so they are delivered in a way that reinforces the organization’s desired strategy and work environment.  This will include the latest data and approaches so an organization can remain competitive in the talent marketplace.  BRING YOUR QUESTIONS, we're envisioning an audience led excursion through these topics and we'll ask you for your questions ahead of time. 
 
Learning objectives:

  • Examining alternatives for competitively paying a “hybrid” workforce
  • Highlighting key aspects that are essential for attracting entry level employees
  • Developing a compensation framework that can expand across geographic areas
  • Explaining concepts to help make informed pay decisions aligned with performance
Rena Somersan is a Managing Principal with Newport Group. She has over twenty five years of consulting and industry experience assisting clients in executing their strategic human resources and compensation initiatives. Her focus has been in the areas of workforce and executive compensation, performance management initiatives, leadership development, talent motivation and retention.
 
 11:00 to 11:15   Break 
 

11:15 to 12:15		  

 

Late Morning Keynote

Kenston Henderson - Winning Conversations:
HOW TO COMMUNICATE SUCCESSFULLY & COURAGEOUSLY IN THE WORKPLACE

Are you hesitant to engage in crucial conversations, unsure about navigating potential discomfort? You're not alone. Recent statistics shed light on the widespread avoidance of necessary workplace discussions. According to a 2021 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, a significant 42% of employees across various demographics admitted feeling uncomfortable discussing sensitive matters at work. Shockingly, 55% expressed reluctance in addressing crucial subjects, highlighting a pervasive challenge in fostering open communication.
 
 In the Winning Conversations talk participants will discover how to communicate successfully, confidently, and courageously in the workplace.

5 Key Takeaways:

  • Effectively create a safe space for necessary conversations.
  • Assess your current communication skills.
  • Say goodbye to avoiding uncomfortable conversations.
  • Utilize the art of curiosity.
  • Implement the R.E.M method to Winning Conversations.

 
 12:15 to 1:15   Lunch, Announcements and Recognition

Hot buffet lunch with gluten free and vegetarian options available. 
Please contact GMA SHRM with any dietary requirements.
 

1:15 to 2:30		  


Breakout Session 2

 

2-A   Project Tango: Dancing with Your CEO Through Complex HR Projects,  Jeff Russell, Russell Consulting 

You and your CEO are always in a delicate dance when navigating the HR challenges of your business. You sometimes find yourself dancing to different tunes and singing different lyrics when working with your boss. And when you’re tasked by the CEO to tackle a complex HR project – such as reimagining your talent acquisition and retention strategies, redesigning your performance management and rewards systems, reinvesting in learning and development, or jumpstarting your diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative – the dance can get complicated. In this session, you’ll learn how to tango with your CEO by exploring strategies for strengthening communication, collaboration, and trust. We’ll identify common mistakes that undermine your collaborative partnership and examine methods for getting in sync with your CEO on project goals, outcomes, timeline, and cost so that you’re dancing the tango together – and not stepping on each other’s toes!

About your learning facilitator: Jeffrey Russell, co-owner of Russell Consulting, Inc., specializes in guiding organizations in successfully responding to the challenges of continuous change.  With a focus on leading change, strategic planning, employee engagement, leadership development, and performance coaching, Jeff has worked internationally with organizations as diverse as Fortune 500 firms, nonprofits, the public sector, and small family businesses.

Jeff is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences — including state conferences for human resource professionals, the Association for Talent Development International Conferences, MarcusEvans Conferences in Southeast Asia, and the Jamaica Employer’s Federation Conferences.

Jeff received his Masters in Industrial Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he serves as an adjunct faculty member for the School of Engineering, the School of Business, the Division of Continuing Studies, and the Center for Local Government Education. Jeff and his life/work partner Linda have co-authored nine books. Titles include Change Basics, Strategic Planning 101, Engage Your Workforce, and, most recently, Fearless Performance Reviews.

Jeff served on the GMA SHRM Board of Directors for six years, most recently as president.
Find out more about Jeff’s work at www.RussellConsultingInc.com
 

 

 

2-B The Busy HR Leader: 3 Keys to Take Care of Your Mental Health -
Dr. Terah Davis-Henderson, NCC 

Are you a busy business leader struggling to balance the demands of leadership with maintaining your mental health? Are you struggling to take care of your employees' mental health? Join our exclusive workshop, where Dr. Terah Henderson, a seasoned clinical therapist and nationally certified counselor with over 15 years of experience, will guide you through the essential steps to prioritize your mental well-being. In this empowering session, you'll debunk myths, recognize crucial mental health signs, assess emotional capacity, and set actionable goals to fortify your well-being amid leadership demands. Learn practical strategies to take inventory, restore harmony, and elevate your leadership potential by nurturing your mental health. Don't miss this opportunity to finally take charge of your well-being!

3 Key Takeaways:
  • Debunking Myths: Gain insights into common misconceptions surrounding mental health, enabling you to make informed decisions for your well-being.
  • Recognizing Vital Signs: Learn to identify crucial mental health signs and symptoms, empowering you to proactively address and manage potential challenges.
  • Setting Actionable Goals: Learn how to create mental well-being goals to evaluate your own emotional capacity and prioritize and nurture your mental health amidst busy leadership responsibilities.
Dr. Terah Davis-Henderson, a seasoned expert in clinical and mental health with 15+ years of experience, is a National Certified Counselor and author of "The Couch: Where Life Happens". With over 11 years as a Clinical Therapist and Higher Education professor, she mentors Master's and PhD students in academic and personal development. Dr. T’s lifework is empowering individuals to prioritize mental health, offering rich expertise and practical strategies for busy business leaders to achieve work-life harmony and well-being. She's a devoted wife and mother to a 16-year-old son, enjoying coffee shop visits and home design shows in her free time.
 
 

 

 


 

2-C Employment Law Update, Jennifer Mirus and Storm Larson 

Legal issues surrounding employment continue to evolve, even with a divided government at the state and local level.  Recent regulatory developments and court decisions continue to impact the workplace.  HR professionals need to keep abreast of these changes and assess how these changes might impact their organization going forward.
 
The Annual Employment Law Update will provide an overview of developments in several major areas of employment law and will help you identify the issues you need to know to be an effective business partner in your organization.  This information–packed session will leave you better equipped to assess your organization’s needs with respect to employment law compliance.  

Participants will learn:
  1. Key federal and state legislative and regulatory developments; 
  2. New regulations and administrative guidance relating to wage and hours; and
  3. How recent judicial cases might affect your practices regarding discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and more.
2:45 - 4:00  

Breakout Session 3

 

3-A   Building Your Conflict Confidence,  
Anna Nielsen, Conflict Capabale Solutions 

It's all about confidence! Many of us fear conflict because of the unknown and don't feel prepared to handle it. Building your confidence in approaching conflict will elevate your leadership and help you foster a winning mindset. In this session, you'll learn to reframe your definition of conflict and how to use your new definition to reach your goals. You'll uncover the 6 Hidden Dimensions of Conflict to better understand yourself and others. You'll leave with powerful words, phrases, and skills you can use immediately to boost your conflict confidence.
 
1. Reframe conflict to see it as a tool for innovation and increased productivity
2. Uncover the 6 Hidden Dimensions of conflict to better understand yourself and others
3. Learn words, phrases, and skills to approach conflict proactively and with confidence


Conflict Capable Solutions and Founder Anna Nielsen are revolutionizing how you and organizations like yours, approach workplace conflict.

Anna is an award-winning speaker with an innovative approach and contagious energy.

For many years Anna served as executive leader for mission-driven organizations that were stifled by conflict. She’s on a mission to help people level up from conflict management to conflict capabilities with her experience and expertise in conflict resolution consulting, civil mediation, civil mediation training, and facilitated dialogues.

Now, she works alongside individual leaders, teams, and organizations to give them strategies to confidently approach conflict. Using the Conflict Capable Framework, they shift their mindset about conflict and learn shared words, phrases, and skills that unlock their unlimited potential.

Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in Diversity Studies and Communication and a Master’s Degree in Advocacy and Political leadership. She’s based in Minneapolis where she lives with her husband Gabe and Morris, the bouncy Golden Retriever.

 

 

3-B Smoke and Mirrors: Separating Real Trends from Fads in Benefits Strategies 
- Mike Johnson, Hausmann Group

Are you struggling to attract and retain the talent you need to meet your business goals? You are not alone.  Updating your employee benefit and policy offerings may be a game changer for you, and there are many new designs and ideas you can consider.

Participants will learn:
  • The realities of recruiting challenges in Wisconsin in 2024
  • Cutting edge employee insurance benefit design 
  • HR policies and practices that attract and retain today’s worker
 

 



 

3-C Employment Law Update, Jennifer Mirus and Brian Goodman 

Legal issues surrounding employment continue to evolve, even with a divided government at the state and local level.  Recent regulatory developments and court decisions continue to impact the workplace.  HR professionals need to keep abreast of these changes and assess how these changes might impact their organization going forward.
 
The Annual Employment Law Update will provide an overview of developments in several major areas of employment law and will help you identify the issues you need to know to be an effective business partner in your organization.  This information–packed session will leave you better equipped to assess your organization’s needs with respect to employment law compliance.  

Participants will learn:
  1. Key federal and state legislative and regulatory developments; 
  2. New regulations and administrative guidance relating to wage and hours; and
  3. How recent judicial cases might affect your practices regarding discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and more.





 
 

 
 4:00 to 5:00   Networking Reception
     




 

 

 

 

 


 

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