Leadership & Navigation

Boundless energy. Quick wit. Powerful strategies. Timely topics. Motivational Keynote Speaker Neen James is a leadership expert focused on productivity and obsessed with helping leaders pay attention to what matters so they can get more done, so they can create more significant moments in life.  She is exactly the kind of speaker that engages. Educates. Entertains.  And DELIVERS – the real world solutions and results that apply in your organization, your home and your community. Neen also provides one-on-one consulting in a variety of leadership topics and loves serving SHRM audiences. Neen was also name as one of the 2017 Top 30 Global Guru Leadership speakers. Find out more at www.neenjames.com.

Alan A. Malinchak is a goal-driven leader with broad strategic and tactical operational success in the private and public sectors.  Al is known for transforming organizations by crystallizing direction, addressing emergent talent and learning challenges and issues, and executing tactics to improve and enhance workforce and organizational performance.

Al is currently the Executive Advisor, Talent and Learning Practice at Deltek, leading customer facing engagements involving assessments, evaluations and recommendations to address a company's "People Challenges" employing best practice solutions in talent, learning and leadership development programs focused across all corporate and business functions to drive both employee and organizational growth.  Al conducts keynotes, leadership development seminars/workshops and consultations regarding the administration and operation of corporate universities.  Al is also CEO of two certified and verified (cVe) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses - Éclat Transitions LLC offering “Public to Private Career Transition Services” at www.eclat-transitions.com and STRATactical LLC offering change agility, learning agility, leadership agility and knowledge agility services and solutions at www.stratactical.com.  Prior, Al was Chief Learning Officer (CLO) at Homeland Security Solutions, Inc. (HSSI) and business development executive for eLearning and instructor-led training programs and initiatives (2011-2013); VP/CL) at ManTech International (2005-2011), where he founded, developed, implemented and led the administration and operation of ManTech’s first corporate university, ManTech University.  From 1984 to 2004, Al was a FBI Special Agent (retired) with a variety of assignments, including  federal investigations of homicides, rapes, fugitives, kidnappings and skyjackings; Instructor at the FBI National Academy; Administrator of the FBI's National Executive Institute; Supervisory Special Agent of Criminal Squads focused on Organized Crime, Narcotics and White Collar Crime; Inspector; On-Scene Crisis Commander for the 2002 Winter Olympics; Chief of Investigative Training; Acting Senior Executive of New Agents Training, National and International Law Enforcement Programs, and Facilities and Security of the FBI Academy; and, lastly as the Chief of the FBI's Leadership Development Institute (LDI). In the LDI, his responsibilities included leading the administrative and operational oversight of all internal and external leadership programs for executive and middle-management FBI Special Agents and Professional Support employees; leadership services and training for 26,000 employees; leadership curriculum development; professional presentations; drafting of the FBI’s Strategic Development Leadership Plan; and, executive board member to several professional law enforcement associations.  Throughout his career, Al held a variety of academic positions - included are a tenured Associate Professor, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, New York (1978–1984); as well as former Adjunct Professor positions at the University of Virginia (1992-1995); and both a graduate and undergraduate Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, (2002 to 2005).

Beth McFarland, CAE is the director of programs for the SHRM Foundation, an affiliate of SHRM. She is responsible for all Foundation products and programs including publications, research grants, scholarships, special events and thought leadership initiatives. She is currently leading a project with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) to identify and analyze future global trends likely to impact the workplace in the next 5-10 years. In addition, Beth serves as staff liaison to the Foundation Board Research and Thought Leadership Committee. Prior to joining the SHRM Foundation in 2001, she managed SHRM’s student membership program for eight years. Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Virginia and the professional designation of Certified Association Executive (CAE).  She recently completed an executive certificate program in nonprofit management from Georgetown University.

Been there – done that!  With 30 years of HR and business experience – Lori has walked in your shoes.  A recovered HR Generalist, she built a consulting company that she sold to Arthur J Gallagher after 7 years and then reinvented her current business – HR Topics -  training, speaking and developing content for HR professionals.  Lori delivers facts, tips, tricks and best practices in a way that appeals to human resource and business leaders: with a sense of humor, a bias toward actions that improve their operations right away, and practical resources and tools to support their progress.  As an annual speaker at the National SHRM conference, she has leveraged her masters in HR, SPHR and SHRM-SCP background to elevate the position of all HR professionals!

Valerie helps companies improve their bottom line by elevating employees from tactical thinkers to strategic leaders.

She served in senior leadership roles at RollsRoyce Aircraft before helping to found InterActiveCorp, parent company to Expedia, Home Shopping Network and TicketMaster. She then went to work for Oprah Winfrey, helping to found the Oxygen channel which was later sold to NBC Universal.

Valerie obtained her mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University and her MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Val’s book, Clash of the Generations: Managing the New Workplace Reality, helps leaders manage multiple generations in the office.

As a “Recovering HR Manager" Richard Fagerlin, has led Peak Solutions, a leadership development firm for the last 20 years.

Born out of the simple idea that we should love what we do and who we do it with, Peak Solutions is dedicated to helping build wise leaders, strong teams & healthy cultures & has served countless organizations in over 50 countries worldwide. Richard is also a leading authority on the topic of Trust and is the author of Trustology: The Art and Science of Leading High Trust Teams.

Richard is from Fort Collins, Colorado where he enjoys an active lifestyle following the interests and passions of his four boys and making memories and enjoying experiences every step of the way.

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The Houston Chronicle calls Robin Ryan “America’s top career expert.” Robin has offered advice on “Oprah,” “Dr Phil,” "CNN,"  "NBC Nightly News" and more than 1,500 other TV & radio shows. This popular speaker and bestselling author motivates people to enhance their skills, land new jobs, improve their professional lives and succeed in today’s workplace.
 
Robin’s high-energy speaking style, coupled with her informative and engaging message, has had her in front of over 1,200 audiences. She’s been a keynote speaker at numerous national and regional conferences, and is often in front of employee groups, association members, or seen on college campuses talking to alumni and students.
 
Robin Ryan is the best-selling author of seven books including:
Over 40 & You’re Hired!
60 Seconds & You’re Hired!
Winning Resumes
Winning Cover Letters
What to Do with the Rest of Your Life
Soaring on Your Strengths
What to Do with the Rest of Your Life
 
A licensed vocational counselor, Robin Ryan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Education from Suffolk University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Boston College. She is the former Director of Counseling Services at the University of Washington.

Mark S. Fogel is currently a Director for Clifton Larson Allen’s National HR consulting practice. He is a former CHRO for Leviton, Marcum, and Success Academy Charter Schools, Mark has been the recipient of several national awards including SHRM’s Human Capital Leader of the Year in 2007, SHRM’s Innovation in a Down Economy in 2009, and HR Executive Magazine’s Honor Role in 2010. He has also been recognized as a 50 around 50 award recipient by Long Island Business News. Mark is also a part-time educator employed as a Senior Adjunct Professor of distinction at Adelphi University in their MBA program. Additionally, he facilitates the SHRM SCP/CP prep class for HR Jetpack. Mark has presented over two dozen times at SHRM and World at Work national, regional, and local conferences on a broad range of HR topics. Often Quoted in national media, Mark brings a refreshing point of view to every HR discussion.

Amy Hirsh Robinson, M.B.A., is Chief People Officer for King’s Hawaiian, a global producer of irresistible Hawaiian food. Amy was brought on to King’s Hawaiian to re-envision the employee experience and transform the People function from traditional HR to a strategic driver of business growth. During her time at the company she has worked to radically redefine the purpose, structure and activities of HR with significant results. Prior to her role as CPO, Amy ran a successful human capital consulting firm, The Interchange Group, helping executives and HR professionals retool and adapt their strategies to rapidly changing workforce expectations and business landscapes.

Alan A. Malinchak is a goal-driven leader with broad strategic and tactical operational success in the private and public sectors.  Al is known for transforming organizations by crystallizing direction, addressing emergent talent and learning challenges and issues, and executing tactics to improve and enhance workforce and organizational performance.

Al is currently the Executive Advisor, Talent and Learning Practice at Deltek, leading customer facing engagements involving assessments, evaluations and recommendations to address a company's "People Challenges" employing best practice solutions in talent, learning and leadership development programs focused across all corporate and business functions to drive both employee and organizational growth.  Al conducts keynotes, leadership development seminars/workshops and consultations regarding the administration and operation of corporate universities.  Al is also CEO of two certified and verified (cVe) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses - Éclat Transitions LLC offering “Public to Private Career Transition Services” at www.eclat-transitions.com and STRATactical LLC offering change agility, learning agility, leadership agility and knowledge agility services and solutions at www.stratactical.com.  Prior, Al was Chief Learning Officer (CLO) at Homeland Security Solutions, Inc. (HSSI) and business development executive for eLearning and instructor-led training programs and initiatives (2011-2013); VP/CL) at ManTech International (2005-2011), where he founded, developed, implemented and led the administration and operation of ManTech’s first corporate university, ManTech University.  From 1984 to 2004, Al was a FBI Special Agent (retired) with a variety of assignments, including  federal investigations of homicides, rapes, fugitives, kidnappings and skyjackings; Instructor at the FBI National Academy; Administrator of the FBI's National Executive Institute; Supervisory Special Agent of Criminal Squads focused on Organized Crime, Narcotics and White Collar Crime; Inspector; On-Scene Crisis Commander for the 2002 Winter Olympics; Chief of Investigative Training; Acting Senior Executive of New Agents Training, National and International Law Enforcement Programs, and Facilities and Security of the FBI Academy; and, lastly as the Chief of the FBI's Leadership Development Institute (LDI). In the LDI, his responsibilities included leading the administrative and operational oversight of all internal and external leadership programs for executive and middle-management FBI Special Agents and Professional Support employees; leadership services and training for 26,000 employees; leadership curriculum development; professional presentations; drafting of the FBI’s Strategic Development Leadership Plan; and, executive board member to several professional law enforcement associations.  Throughout his career, Al held a variety of academic positions - included are a tenured Associate Professor, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, New York (1978–1984); as well as former Adjunct Professor positions at the University of Virginia (1992-1995); and both a graduate and undergraduate Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, (2002 to 2005).