Business Acumen

Janet Hendrick is a partner in the Dallas office of Fisher Phillips and an experienced employment litigator who tackles her clients’ problems with a tailored, results-oriented approach. Whether training managers on employment law compliance to minimize legal risk or representing the employer in court or arbitration, she brings years of experience and in-depth legal knowledge to deliver results.  Janet regularly appears in state and federal court to defend employers of all sizes against discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related claims. Janet is a sought-after speaker and author on topics including gender diversity, LGBT employee protections, and workplace accommodations and leave management.

Giovanni is a global expert on Organizational Strategy, Analytics and HR.

A Harvard Business School alum, he serves as Senior Advisor for HR & Organizational Development at Boston Global – a Harvard affiliated consultancy. He is also Senior Advisor for Qlearsite – a People Analytics company and sits on the advisory board of PeopleCart, a Social Rewards & Recognition company.

Giovanni is a passionate writer and speaker on The Future of Work and People Analytics. He is featured in the analytics book “The Power of People”. In his spare time, he and serves as Creative Director for a contemporary fashion label and recently produced an award winning documentary on Women Empowerment.

Sheryl Simmons Maestro Health’s Chief Human Resources Officer, leading HR and talent management efforts across the company’s multiple locations. Sheryl is a leading resource for fellow human resources leaders on how to invest in people and effectively communicate the value of HR to the C-suite. She regularly speaks at top industry conferences and participates in several industry groups, including the SHRM National Tax & Benefits Working Group and the SHRM National Governmental Affairs.  She also serves as Chief Compliance Officer at Maestro Health.

Dr. Wade Larson is a workforce consultant and human resources executive with 30-years of experience in strategy, leadership enablement, and talent management. His    expertise in HR and leadership helps organizations improve structures, culture, management, and leadership to achieve their goals. As an international speaker, published author, and professor, he strives to help others achieve the best versions of themselves. Wade has worked with hundreds of organizations and thousands of leaders to shift mindsets, innovate programs, and lead change that helps them do more, achieve more, and live their best lives.

Amy Lins is the Sr. Director, Learning and Development, at Money Management International (MMI) where she oversees financial education, employee learning, and the design/development of employee financial wellness programs. Amy holds a Bachelor’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University, an MBA, Finance, from Houston Baptist University, and an Organizational Development Certificate from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Amy holds Kirkpatrick Bronze Certification in measurement and evaluation. Amy is active in the professional community and is the ATD-Madison Area Chapter Board of Directors Past President. She has presented at three national conferences, ATD-MAC chapter events, and for InSync Training’s BYTE Series.

When Sheri founded Power Presentations in 1993, she had two goals in mind. The first was to empower business professionals to look and sound dynamic while communicating in any situation. The second was to deliver training that professionals would leave saying, “That was the best training I’ve ever attended. Ever.” Since then, Power Presentations has successfully trained more than 22,000 professionals from a variety of Fortune 500 Companies and industry leaders such as FedEx, Bayer, Goodyear, Marathon Petroleum and NASA.

Sheri is the author of Tips for your Talk® and Master your Virtual Communications: A Webinars that Wow® Training Guide.

Ethics in the workplace is a serious matter, but talking about it doesn’t have to be “business as usual.” Chuck Gallagher learned a lesson about choices and consequences the hard way—but now he shares his experience so that others don’t have to. In his compelling presentations, Chuck starts by setting the scene with his own story… and ends by setting the stage for your organization’s ethical success.  You may have seen Chuck on CNN, CBS, Fox or NPR.  His business insights are sought after for his strong position on ethics. Chuck’s focus is business—but his passion is empowering others.

Suz helps companies achieve, sustain and outperform their desired goals. She works primarily with executives pressured with the need to implement successful change and growth initiatives. Suz and her team help them excite and engage both employees and customers so their initiative is a roaring success.  

Suz’s business advice is featured by Forbes monthly and she’s also been quoted by, U.S. News & World Report, Time, Harvard Business Review, and many more. Suz leads workshops called Stop Speaking HR. Start Speaking Business Results, which help HR teams get more time, budget, and respect from functional business line leaders. 

 Joe is a leading thinker in managing and motivating people. He’s passionate about helping organizations achieve their vision through effective performance management.

 He’s a top-rated SHRM speaker and serves as Chief Value Officer for Delphia Consulting, a national HR and Payroll software consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. Joe is the co-creator of miviva, a continuous performance management application.

 Joe has over 30 years of experience and serves as VP of Professional Development on the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio (HRACO) Board of Directors. Joe is a cited contributor to the SHRM Learning System.

Internationally renowned as a passionate and highly respected authority on leadership, workplace culture and talent, Michelle is an accomplished international speaker, strategist and author. Named as one of the Ten Best and Brightest Women in the incentive industry and to the Employee Engagement Power 100 list, Michelle is a Change Maker, Top Idea Maven, and President’s Award winner. She’s contributed to several books, appeared on television, radio, and in publications all over the world. Michelle is the Past President of the FORUM for People Performance at Northwestern University, President Emeritus of the Incentive Marketing Association, and was the Founder and Editorial Chair of Return on Performance Magazine.