GMA SHRM Professional Development Summit

March 17, 2026

Alliant Energy Center

1919 Alliant Energy Way
Madison, WI
        
     

Session 1    8:00-10:00
Conflict Resolution: The Flawed Pursuit of Resolution

  

Session 2     10:15-12:15  
Artificial Intelligence: Me, My Office, and AI 
Presented by:  Anna Nielsen   Presented By:  Dr. Clare Fowler
 

Partner Sponsors: 
 		  
Partner Sponsor:  
 
 

Session 1

The pressure to achieve a perfect, first-try resolution for every workplace conflict is a confidence killer. It breeds frustration and burnout, leading to disengagement and a reluctance to engage again. This outdated perspective is preventing us from truly leveraging conflict for what it is: your catalyst for growth and innovation.

In this session, learn skills and strategies to build your confidence in approaching and navigating conflict, whether you are caught off guard or have ample time to prepare. You can take the pressure off by building your skills without the pressure to be perfect.



Attendees of this program will learn:

  • How to craft a conflict mission statement
  • Strategies to drive momentum during conflict
  • How to support employees during conflict
  

Session 2

AI is impossible to ignore – but most of us are still deciding on the right way to use it. Is it just a search tool? Can I use an agent to offload mundane parts of my job? I hear about people building their own tools – but I’m not a programmer!

This session looks at 6 distinct phases of our workday and provides hand-on demos of AI tools that can assist. Together, we will walk through the set-up and application of these tools. There is also a discussion of the ethics around these tools and security. Most of the tools suggested will be free, but a chatGPT pro account is preferred if possible.

Participants will learn:

  • Different points during their day where an AI tool can save them time and free up their brain bandwidth.
  • How to build simple AI tools that can help them and their employees.
  • Different safeguards for different tools. When interacting with employees and personal data, there are additional safety considerations to look for.
SPEAKER BIO     SPEAKER BIO  

Anna Nielsen: As a seasoned executive leader and conflict disruptor, Anna is changing how organizations perceive conflict.
Recognizing that most organizations lack a standardized approach to navigating conflict, she developed the Conflict Capable Framework to provide essential structure and guidance.

This framework blends her extensive experience as a mediator, conflict navigation trainer, and facilitated dialogue expert, creating something new.

Anna's work transcends conflict resolution; it guides organizations in cultivating vibrant cultures, charting ambitious futures, and achieving extraordinary heights.

Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Diversity Studies from Metropolitan State University and a master’s degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.		  
Dr. Clare Fowler
• Executive Vice-President of ODR.com
• International Woman of Peace Award, 2024
• Author of Rising Above Office Conflict: the light-hearted guide for the heavy-hearted employee

Dr. Clare Fowler received her Doctorate on designing dispute resolution systems for small businesses from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education/Organizational Leadership and her Master’s of Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine University School of Law. Dr. Fowler also works as Managing Editor and with Caseload Manager at Mediate.com. She teaches at Pepperdine Straus Dispute Resolution Department and University of Oregon. Clare mediates and trains, focusing on workplace disputes. Dr. Fowler’s dissertation was a phenomenological study of Workplace disputes. Her 2023 book, Rising Above Office Conflict, is a guidebook for HR directors dealing with high conflict behaviors. Her motto for the dispute resolution field? Rising Tides Raise All Boats.



 
SCHEDULE
   
  • Session 1
 8:00am to 10:00am
  • Session 2 
 10:15am to 12:15pm










FEES    
  • GMA SHRM Member
Free - Advance registration positively required.
 

 
  • Student Member
 Free - Advance registration positively required.

 
  • Guest / Nonmember
$50 Either or Both Sessions
 

 
  • Guest Grant Registration

Not a member yet?

GMA SHRM has a limited number of Professional Grants available for potential members to attend one Professional Development Summit at no cost. 

If you are considering joining GMA SHRM, have a bona fide connection to Human Resources and would like to apply for one of these Professional Grants, please complete the contact information on the form at this link.  We would love to have you join us! 
 

 


 

 











LOCATION  
 

 

Alliant Energy Center,
1919 Alliant Way,
Madison, WI 

 














For more information contact:

GMA SHRM Management Team
4075 Vilas Road
Cottage Grove, WI  53527
(608) 204-9814
fax (608) 204-9818
chapteradmin@gmashrm.org

Program Schedule subject to change.

 
 
https://greatermadisonareashrm.wildapricot.org/event-4893781