Leadership & Navigation

In his global labor and employment practice, Mike assists clients with policy drafting, internal investigations, compliance advice, restructuring, management training, representation before administrative agencies, and, when necessary, litigation. For the past year, Mike has been imbedded with the legal department of a large international company providing global L&E support and leading internal investigations. He also spent six years in executive roles as Senior L&E Counsel and Director for a large public company. In those roles, he oversaw litigation, selected and managed outside counsel, and oversaw part of the company’s compliance function. Additionally, Mike conducted internal investigations and audit responses, trained management, managed a team of HR professionals, served as lead negotiator in collective bargaining, led the diversity and inclusion program, and represented the company before federal administrative agencies including the NLRB, EEOC, DOL, OFCCP, OSHA, and NRC.

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.

Renée is a bit of a tech addict who spends far too much time furiously investigating new opportunities and theories in the world of people & culture. She’s enthusiastic about the contribution that forward thinking leaders can make in ensuring that work is a place where people can be fulfilled, and have opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

Renée has worked in a variety of sectors, including non-profit, public and the private sector and has used social media to accelerate her career, particularly focusing on professional development and learning from the generosity of what others share. This has resulted in multiple trips to the United States to speak and be a part of blogging teams at large conferences and, given that she migrated to Australia 6 years ago, she credits much of her success to the power of an amazing support team and deciding to ‘suck it up’ and put herself out there.

Sandra Garcia has worked for General Motors for close to 21 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations and two certifications from WorldatWork (Global Remuneration Professional (GRP) and Certified Compensation Professional (CCP)). As GM’s Global Compensation Lead for Global Strategic Initiatives, she is regarded as a thought leader in global recognition and global service awards programs. Her role in GM’s new global recognition program (launched in August 2017) included research and development, leading the bidding process/vendor strategy, designing the new program and gaining leadership buy-in/approval. She also develops strategies and guidelines, training and communication content and participates in key decisions regarding global deployment.

Ken Carrig retired from Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for SunTrust Banks, Inc. in February, 2017 and is President of KJC Advisory Services, a firm providing advice on issues related to strategy execution, acquisition integration, and executive succession planning.  In his CHRO role, he oversaw human resources strategy, talent management, merger integration, compensation, benefits, staffing, human resources systems/payroll, compliance, SunTrust University, and leadership development.  Ken helped lead a significant transformation of the company and helped create a powerful purpose that engaged the entire teammate population.  SunTrust market cap grew from $14BN to $25BN during this 6 year term, and efficiency ratio improved by over $1 billion from 72 percent to less than 62 percent.

Prior to joining SunTrust in June 2011, Mr. Carrig was Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer with Sysco Corporation for 10 years overseeing Strategy, Operations, Merger & Acquisitions (35 acquisitions completed), Communications, Legal, and HR.  He also led Human Resources for Comcast, Continental Airlines’ turnaround and PepsiCo during his 30-year human resources career.

Mr. Carrig earned his undergraduate degree in Labor Economics from Cornell University, and participated in executive development programs at Columbia University and Yale University.  He was a member of the advisory board of the Cornell Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies, a National Academy of Human Resources Fellow (2004), and was named the Academy of Management Distinguished Human Resources Executive (2010).  He was also a member of the advisory board of PearlHPS, a predictive execution analytics software company.  He also co-chaired the Board of Operation HOPE and served on the Board for Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Mr. Carrig co-authored the book, “Building Profit Through Building People” in 2006, the proceeds of which benefit Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to fighting childhood hunger.  In addition, Mr. Carrig has led Business Strategy and Leadership Development Programs at Darden, Cornell, Emory, and USC.

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.

Jennifer Currence is a Senior Partner of HR Soul consultancy firm in Tampa, Florida, where she delivers results through strategic HR solutions, customized training, and coaching programs for organizational and HR leaders. She is the creator of The SOTO Approach to Leadership and the content architect for the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) international People Manager Qualification (PMQ).

Jennifer is regularly published and featured in industry magazines, webinars, and podcasts, and is the author of three HR books on behavioral business competencies.

Jennifer was named one of the top 100 Influential HR professionals in Leadership and Development in 2023 and Tampa Bay’s HR Consultant of the Year in 2017.  She is a faculty member for SHRM and a former management professor at the University of Tampa.

Roger is an award-winning international keynote speaker and President of Engagement Unlimited. With his innovative keynotes and programs, he ignites positive transformational change in teams and individuals. Roger’s topics range from performance under stress, the power of play, effective communication skills and the age of engage within companies and culture at large.

Roger’s impressive background in teaching and acting (he has been seen in over 175 TV shows, movies and commercials) allow him to utilize a unique session format that ties stories, theory, and application together in a team-based game. This structure primes every participant to learn and creates engagement in the room that everyone experiences and benefits from.

His experience and knowledge, combined with his natural charisma and highly contagious positive energy, has garnered Roger countless 10/10 audience rankings, extremely high survey results, and hundreds of happy return clients over the past 10 years.

Dr. Jill Birch is a leadership advisor, author, researcher and senior executive. She is Founder & CEO of BirchGrove Inc., supporting organizations to redefine leadership to realize strategic imperatives. Jill has been a CEO and member of several C-Suites and has designed global leadership development programs.

Jill has spoken to 1000s of leaders around the world. Her presentations inspire organizations to achieve their goals through engagement, innovative strategies, and development of metrics to ensure success. Her Ph.D. focused on relational leadership and M.A. explored how CEOs learn to lead and how they learn to learn.