Leadership (Behavioral)

As an employment attorney, former litigator, and (recovering) human resources professional, Alice brings a wealth of real-world experience and knowledge regarding current workplace dynamics and critical issues facing employers. Alice is a dedicated SHRM volunteer leader having served on the SHRM Labor Relations Special Expertise Panel for five years and as the SHRM New Mexico Legislative Director for seven. Alice is a frequent, enthusiastic national speaker on employment law and public policy related topics. She is also the wife of an active-duty Air Force pilot and is a passionate and knowledgeable advocate regarding the unique employment challenges facing military spouses.

Jim Frawley is the Founder and Principal of Bellwether, a company dedicated to helping organizations and executives build resiliency, adapt to change and thrive in rapidly shifting contexts. He is the host of the Bellwether Hub podcast and best-selling author of Adapting in Motion: Finding Your Place in the New Economy, a practical guide to responding to multiple levels of macro change.

Jim works with leaders in a variety of capacities, including Executive Coach, Workshop Facilitator and Business Consultant, on three primary areas of expertise: Strategic Planning, Executive Communications and Change Management. He believes today’s economy requires a new form of executive development; one that teaches how to create a plan, communicate that plan to multiple audiences, and build effective decision-making abilities to be able to adapt while in motion.

He has worked internationally over his twenty-year career, coaching executives and teams, overhauling corporate training programs, creating and implementing complex organizational and cultural re-designs and building business strategy and administrative plans. To date, he has
worked with clients in eight countries and thirty-nine states.

Authentic, sincere and dedicated to building each client's capacity to excel, Jim is a big-time reader, a small-time triathlete and a full-time husband and father.

Melissa began her career in Big 4 accounting before transitioning to HR leadership at a rapidly expanding firm, experiencing a tenfold growth. Over 20 years, she has excelled in spearheading leadership development, performance management, team building, training, and employee engagement initiatives. Through her Inspire Big Dreams company, Melissa offers corporate training, leadership coaching, speaking, and consulting to enhance careers and leadership skills. She empowers executives, entrepreneurs, and companies to evolve by shifting their mindsets, strategizing, fostering employee relationships, preventing burnout, and amplifying leadership.

Melissa began her career in Big 4 accounting before transitioning to HR leadership at a rapidly expanding firm, experiencing a tenfold growth. Over 20 years, she has excelled in spearheading leadership development, performance management, team building, training, and employee engagement initiatives. Through her Inspire Big Dreams company, Melissa offers corporate training, leadership coaching, speaking, and consulting to enhance careers and leadership skills. She empowers executives, entrepreneurs, and companies to evolve by shifting their mindsets, strategizing, fostering employee relationships, preventing burnout, and amplifying leadership.

As a business, product, and technology leader, Delphine Carter uses transformational change and agile practices to solve complex business challenges. She is the founder and CEO of Boulo, an innovative recruitment platform that matches experienced female candidates, who also happen to be mothers or caregivers, with progressive companies. Delphine is on the Board of Storytellers Live, Vestavia Lacrosse Organization, and is a Women’s Foundation Fellow. She was recently named Top Birmingham Woman and nominated for CEO of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal.

Miguel is the Chief Belonging Officer of MJA & CO, a Minority-owned consulting firm helping leaders leverage DEI as a catalyst to improve recruitment, engagement, and retention.  Recognized as a LinkedIn's Top Voice in Racial Equity, Top 15 Champion of Diversity by Diversity Global Magazine, a Top 100 Executive by Diversity MBA Magazine, and featured as an Inclusion Innovator by SHRM.

Miguel served as the first civilian Chief of D&I in the history of the US Coast Guard.  He started his career as diversity recruiter and for over a decade held several leadership positions in 3 major Federal Departments. Miguel is a TEDx speaker, featured at the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and Telemundo.

 You can learn more about him by visiting www.migueljoeyaviles.com

Jessica Miller-Merrell is the Founder of Workology, a workplace resource for HR, recruiting professionals and business leaders, and host of the Workology Podcast. The site has been listed twice as a top 75 career resource by Forbes. Jessica is the president and CEO of Xceptional HR, a human capital strategy and consulting agency. Because of her industry expertise and knowledge, Jessica’s expertise is sought after and sourced by publications and media including: The Economist, Forbes, CIO Magazine, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, and SHRM’s HR Magazine. Her new book, Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age was published in 2023 by SHRM.

Global CDO, consultant, speaker and author Janet M. Stovall helps business dismantle systemic inequity to leverage the power of diversity.  Global Head of DEI at NeuroLeadership Institute, and founder of DEI consultancy, Pragmatic Diversity, Janet specializes in shaping and implementing realistic DEI visions and strategies that drive change and build culture. Collectively, her three TED talks challenging business to get serious about inclusion have nearly 3 million views, and she is co-author of Amazon bestseller, The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Sh*t.

Leah Marone, LCSW, is a seasoned psychotherapist and corporate mental wellness consultant based in Charlotte, NC, boasting over 20 years of extensive experience. Having conducted over 20,000 therapy sessions and contributing articles to reputable publications such as Psychology Today, The Atlantic, and Newsweek, Leah is recognized for her expertise in mental health.

Leah's personal journey as a former anxiety-ridden Division 1 basketball player fuels her passion for working with high-achieving individuals, often described as type A go-getters. She specializes in addressing internal pressures, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and performance anxiety.

In her dual role as a mental wellness consultant and board member, Leah collaborates with both companies and nonprofits. Her areas of focus encompass anxiety and stress management, burnout prevention, boundary setting, mindfulness practices, effective communication, and emotional intelligence. Leah's holistic approach includes a thorough assessment of the company culture to tailor her services, meeting organizations where they are and addressing their specific needs.

Leah's innovative 5-step initiative not only underscores the significance of mental wellness organization-wide but also identifies areas for growth and connection. The initiative aims to prevent high turnover, address burnout, and enhance overall productivity.

As a co-facilitator for the "Mindful Momentum" female empowerment coaching group tailored for high-powered female professionals, Leah collaborates with a distinguished coach and professor from UCLA. Her expertise in boundary setting and resilience has made her a sought-after speaker for leadership groups. Leah addresses individuals navigating perpetual burnout, often fueled by relentless inner critics and the challenges of people-pleasing. Her insights provide a transformative guide for cultivating resilience and establishing healthy boundaries in demanding professional environments.

Beyond her professional commitments, Leah finds joy in traveling, hiking, exercising, and pursuing her upcoming book slated for publication early next year. Additionally, she actively contributes as a coach for her daughter's club soccer team, showcasing her dedication to both personal and community well-being.

Carol Quinn is the world’s leading expert on interviewing and hiring effectiveness. She is the creator of motivation-based interviewing, an interviewing method specifically developed for hiring “High Performers.” She is the author of the #1 SHRM-published book on hiring – and it’s been their #1 best-seller on hiring for the past five years straight. She is passionate about making sure organizations and their interviewers know how to single out those job candidates who will go above and beyond from those merely pretending. But there is one thing that Carol is even more passionate about… and that’s sharing her wisdom with others.