GMA SHRM Professional Development Summit

September 16, 2025

Alliant Energy Center

1919 Alliant Energy Way
Madison, WI
  
     

Session 1    8:00-10:00
20 Years Later: HR Is Still Looking For Its
Seat At the Table

  

Session 2     10:15-12:00  
Compensation Matters!  
Presented by:  Michelle Venturini   Presented By:  Rena Somersan, Newport

Partner Sponsors: 



 		  
Partner Sponsor:  

 
 
 

Session 1

20 years ago, Fast Company magazine sent the HR profession into a tailspin with a cover article called: Why We Hate HR. Two of the reasons for the hate were, HR people aren’t the sharpest tacks in the box (excuse me?!?) and the corner office doesn’t get HR (preach!)

This session will be a love-fest for all of the important and hard work that HR does. It will also be a tough-love look in the mirror to revisit the original article and assess if much has change (spoiler – not really. Except for the sharp tacks comment.)

We’ve begged for a seat, but do we know what to do when we get it? HR must dedicate itself to understanding our businesses and tying HR priorities to business outcomes. We must retool ourselves so we sound like we belong. 

During this interactive event we’re going to slay some sacred cows and talk about what really matters to our business peers. It's going to be fun, high energy, and a little bit of a kick in the pants. Join me!


Attendees of this program will learn:

  • Why “what does the policy say” kills HR’s credibility
  • How to turn heads when you claim your seat
  • What personal paradigms need to shift
  

Session 2

Attendees can anticipate an engaging discussion on compensation trends and hot topics in Total Rewards. This session will address these issues and emphasize their importance, as managing the complexities of compensation in the current economic landscape can be challenging. We will examine creative compensation philosophies, the quest for relevant compensation data and pay under pressure (the need to have short- and long-term incentive plans that enhance organizational performance).

Ms. Somersan will share real-life examples from her clients, showcasing the critical decisions involved in formulating, benchmarking, and designing Executive and Workforce Compensation Packages.

Attendees of this program will:

  • Be able to articulate the key trends that are impacting winning Total Rewards Philosophies
  • Understand how to utilize data and utilize pay bands to help with pay equity and minimize compression
  • Articulate key design elements of effective incentive programs tailored to company size and scope.
SPEAKER BIO     SPEAKER BIO  
Michelle Venturini is an independent consultant providing HR consulting services and coaching. Her background includes more than 25 years of leadership and operations experience across all HR functions.
Prior to establishing her coaching and consulting practice, Michelle worked in several industries, including telecommunications, software, and biotechnology. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the Masters in Biotech program at University of Wisconsin – Madison and a frequent presenter at local events. Michelle has advised senior leaders on a wide range of Human Resource topics, including leadership and talent development, strategic staffing, and employee relations.
Michelle is an active member of the Society of Human Resources Management and mentors entrepreneurs through her involvement in Merlin Mentors. She has earned her SPHR designation and holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. 		   Rena Somersan is a Managing Principal with Newport’s Compensation Consulting team. She has over twenty-five years of consulting and industry experience assisting clients in executing their strategic human resources and compensation initiatives. Rena is often invited to speak at conferences in the areas of her focus which has been in workforce and executive compensation, performance management initiatives, talent motivation and retention. She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from Koc (coach) University in Istanbul, Turkey, where she lived and worked for 13 years after working in Japan for 3 years
 
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