SHRM PDCs

Alexander Alonso, PhD, SHRM-SCP is the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM's) Chief Data & Insights Officer leading operations for SHRM's Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional certifications, research functions, and the SHRM Knowledge Advisor service. He is responsible for all research activities, including the development of the SHRM Competency Model and SHRM credentials.

During his career, he has worked with numerous subject matter experts worldwide with the aim of identifying performance standards, developing competency models, designing organizational assessments, and conducting job analyses. He was also responsible for working on contract task orders involving the development of measurement tools for content areas such as job knowledge (like teacher knowledge of instructional processes) and organizational climates (like organizational climate forecasting in military health care).

Dr. Alonso received his doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Florida International University in 2003. His works have been recognized for their contribution to real-world issues. They include being recognized by the Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology (Division 14 of the APA; SIOP) with the 2007 M. Scott Myers Award for Applied Research in the Workplace for the development of the federal standard for medical team training, TeamSTEPPS; being awarded a 2009 Presidential Citation for Innovative Practice by the American Psychological Association for supporting the development of competency model for team triage in emergency medicine; and receiving the 2013 SIOP Distinguished Early Career Contributions for Practice Award.

Throughout his career, he has published works in peer-reviewed journals such as Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice, Journal of Applied Psychology, International Journal of Selection and Assessment, People and Strategy, Personality and Individual Differences, Quality and Safety in Health Care, and Human Resources Management Review. He has also authored several chapters on community-based change initiatives in workforce readiness, as well as co-authoring Defining HR Success: A Guide to the SHRM Competency Model in Practice.

Dr. Alonso also served as a columnist analyzing major trends in the workforce for The Industrial Psychologist and HR Magazine. In addition, he has served on several professional society boards including the SIOP and the Personnel Testing Council of Metropolitan Washington.

As the Director of Performance Management for Population Health, Christa Roberts focuses on advancing results and relationships with employers, health systems, health plans and other sponsors. Services are focused on health risk analysis and consultation to introduce advanced programs designed to manage results. Programs may include health navigation and engagement planning, coaching and care management, third party administration of claims or other financial incentives, community provider partnerships and/or on-site clinical services such as pharmacy, primary care and occupational health centers.

She makes an impact on clients by establishing performance management plans that center on population management and health risk. General management also focuses on advanced responsibilities including matrix management crossing multiple technologies, and services and use of consulting to offer clients advanced programs. Advanced programs require management of external partners which might include health system, physician practice, retail and/or other healthcare provider relationships.

Randy Pennington helps leaders deliver positive results in a world of accelerating uncertainty and change. His clients include many of world’s best-managed companies, associations, government agencies, and universities. Additionally, Randy serves as an adjunct instructor in the Cox Business Leadership Center at Southern Methodist University.

Randy is author of three books: Make Change Work, Results Rule!; and On My Honor, I Will . His ideas have been featured in leading media outlets including CNN, PBS, Fox News, ABC Radio Network, the BBC, Fast Company, and The New York Times. He is a contributor to CIO.com and the Huffington Post.

Amy Hayes is the VP, Global Learning and Development at Facebook. She brings over 20 years of experience as a learning and development consultant and coach to the role, and is committed to helping leaders navigate the challenges they face. At Facebook, she and her team are responsible for helping people learn how to lead by building personalized learning programs and tools. She also works to ensure the company has the leadership capabilities needed today and in the future.  

Amy believes that the world needs leadership more than ever…and that being a leader is more challenging now than ever before.  She has tremendous respect for those who take on leadership roles and is passionate about being a resource for those who are making a difference in the world.  

Prior to joining Facebook, Amy held various HR/L&D leadership roles for PwC in Boston, London and New York.  She has a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from George Mason University, a MS from Boston University and is a Certified Hudson Institute Coach.    

Chuck Edward is currently the Head of Global Talent Acquisition for Microsoft. He has been with Microsoft since 2004 working in various leadership roles in HR. Chuck started as an HR Director in the Microsoft Business Division (MBD), supporting the Unified Communications and Office Live groups and then spent 4 years leading HR for Microsoft’s Customer Service and Support (CSS) Organization.

Prior to Microsoft, Chuck held Human Resources leadership roles at Cigna Behavioral Health, PepsiCo and 3M. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Arts with specialization in Human Resources Management from the University of Minnesota.

Chuck enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and son. He is an avid fly fisherman and a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan.

Dick Finnegan is THE global turnover expert, having cut turnover by 30% and more for healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, distribution centers, call centers, and other industries…and on all six inhabited continents.

Dick has authored the top-selling SHRM-published book, The Power of Stay Interviews, along with four other books. BusinessWeek magazine has said “Finnegan offers fresh thinking for solving the turnover problem in any economy”. He has been similarly cited by Forbes, Chief Executive Magazine, and Consulting Magazine.

He holds bachelors and graduate degrees from The Pennsylvania State University and lives in Orlando, Florida.

Leslie is the Director of Human Resources for the Will County Circuit Clerk’s Office in Joliet, Illinois.  She joined the Circuit Clerk’s Office in 2006.  Leslie has the responsibility for directing and monitoring human resources; including onboarding, performance management policy development and implementation, payroll administration and employee and labor relations.  In addition, she serves as the Circuit Clerk’s Ethics Officer.

Prior to joining the Circuit Clerk’s office, she held a number of HR positions in the private sector, including the retail industry, gaming industry and manufacturing industry.  Leslie has over 25 years of combined HR experience in the public and private sector.  After fifteen years of teaching Human Resources she retired, and devotes her time to mentoring battered woman on interviewing skills, dressing for success and entering the workplace. 

Leslie earned a BA from Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and an MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from DePaul University.

Leslie has completed Michigan State University’s Labor Relations Certification Program and DePaul University’s Mediator Certification Program.  She is certified as a Labor Relations Professional and a Senior Human Resources Professional. 

For several years, Leslie was member of the SHRM Consultant’s Forum Board and has presented, coached and mentored a number of HR professionals. 

Currently, Leslie is on the board of the Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association (IPELRA), and serves as Vice President and Chair of the IPELRA Training Committee. 

Kelly Kirchman, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Talent Development Manager for the Cook & Boardman Group.    A communications graduate from North Carolina State University, Kelly has over 20 years in the HR field and has developed and implemented programs across all HR disciplines.  Her current mission is to attract hidden/passive candidates to Cook & Boardman to ensure there is promotable internal talent along with a constantly renewing stream of external talent to fill future openings.

Dawn is the General Manager of the HR Business Insights team at Microsoft. Her responsibilities include advanced people analytics & research for Microsoft’s business units globally, as well as analytics and reporting support for HR programs, including Global Diversity & Inclusion, Global HR Services, Talent Management, and Learning & Development. She is also responsible for reporting tools and technology for HR and employee data privacy. Dawn has been at Microsoft for 20 years and has held positions in HR and Finance. Prior to Microsoft, Dawn supported leading insurance companies as an Actuary.