Early Career

Dr. Caroline Brookfield is a veterinarian, author, speaker, entrepreneur, and award-winning innovator. She discovered the joy of merging her creative and scientific sides, and loves to share how to engage a creative mindset to make life better. Although she can’t sing Happy Birthday, she expresses her creativity through comedy, writing, and problem solving, like sneaking vegetables into smoothies. She holds a Certificate of Professional Management, a DVM, and is a creative problem solving facilitator. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, where her lectures go unheeded by her family. The dog listens, if treats are involved.

Remote first female founder leading the charge for personalization of employer-sponsored benefits. With over 25 years as a people-first financial leader, Brandy enjoys solving the complex challenges of motivating teams in the evolving future of work.

 I am passionate leader about innovation and problem solving and needs in the healthcare sphere and market. Specialize in looking at the 3 year horizon and doing the market research to place educated bets on the future of where an organization places it chips. Experienced in building products and revenue streams from the ground up.

Milton J. Perkins, PhD ABD, MSHRM, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, CPC, is the chief accountability and human resources officer for Vanguard Integrity Professionals, a leader in cybersecurity software and solutions. Previously, he was the Senior Director of Workforce Solutions for Agile•1 (HR consulting practice leader). Other positions Milton has held are the recruitment/staffing practice leader for EDS/ExcellerateHRO, managing director for Kaufman, VonStuben & Associates and the global talent acquisition leader for Hewitt Associates. Milton has a tremendous wealth of practical, research, teaching and consulting experience in human capital strategies, tactics and initiatives. He was also the SHRM’s director, North Central Region, responsible for facilitating strategic planning and providing advice and counsel to the Society’s volunteer members and leaders. He has been teaching SHRM courses for nearly 15 years.

Milton is completing his PhD (2015) research in Organizational Management – Human Resources, focusing on the topic of Environmental Variables Impacting Virtual Employee Engagement. He received his Masters of Science in Human Resources, as well as Bachelors of Science in Management, Computer Information Systems. He holds certifications as a SHRM-SCP, SPHR, and CPC. He has completed human resource leadership studies at the Disney Institute, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Executive Leadership Development Program at Babson College, and the PDI Assessment Center.

Janine is Chief Marketing Officer of Transcarent, where she oversees the company’s corporate brand and communications, Member growth and engagement, and commercial marketing. She joined Transcarent from Redesign Health, where she launched more than 30 new digital health startups​. Before moving into healthcare, Janine led global consumer marketing for Instagram, overseeing the company’s brand strategy, user engagement, and teen anti-bullying efforts for the Americas, Europe, and Asia​. In 2015, she joined the United States Digital Service under President Obama, where she developed the new agency’s brand, led strategic communications, and built a lasting culture. Janine started her career in technology at Google in 2005, accelerating the media industry’s shift to digital, and later focused on Alphabet’s innovation bets, including Verily Life Sciences, Google Glass, and the self-driving car project​. Janine lives in San Francisco with her husband and dogs, and sits on the board of Douglass College at Rutgers University.​

Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Nguyen, M.D. is a healthcare and AI product leader. At Transcarent, Dr. Nguyen founded and currently leads the Transcarent AI team which is tasked with expanding Transcarent’s suite of AI products while maintaining the highest standards for patient safety. Throughout his career, Dr. Nguyen has led multiple teams building AI products ranging from hospital AI deployment platforms, radiology AI safety applications, chatbots for patients, and AI tools for clinicians. Dr. Nguyen is known as an expert on AI in healthcare, and was recently called to testify before Congress on the subject, educating lawmakers and the public about the potential and safety risks of AI. He is also a guest lecturer at the University of Southern California, where he teaches about AI fundamentals and safety in healthcare. Dr. Nguyen received his Doctor of Medicine degree at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, as well as graduate specialization certificates from the Marshall School of Business and the Viterbi School of Engineering. He is a bay area native and lives in San Francisco, California.

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. is on a mission to help leaders build and rebuild teams. Our goal is to empower leaders to understand and honor the beautiful complexity of the humans they serve. We create a safe, honest environment, preparing people to deal with real-world conflict, have more meaningful conversations, and create purposeful relationships. Working with organizations that care deeply about their teams and understand the connection between staff development and organizational success, Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. specializes in transforming relationships from good to great. 

With 15+ years in leadership development, Sarah Noll Wilson earned a Master's Degree from Drake University in Leadership Development and a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education. Through her work as an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, Contributor to Harvard Business Review, and Bestselling Author of “Don’t Feed the Elephants”, Sarah helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. She hosts the podcast “Conversations on Conversations”, is certified in Co-Active Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. In addition to her work with organizations, Sarah is a passionate advocate for mental health.   

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James J. McDonald, Jr. is a partner in the Irvine, California and Tampa, Florida offices of Fisher & Phillips LLP, where he is a litigator, trial lawyer and strategic advisor to employers regarding labor and employment law matters.  He is author of the SHRM-published book, California Employment Law: An Employer’s Guide, and he is a frequent speaker on employment law issues.  He is a cum laude law graduate of Georgetown University and a member of the California and Florida Bars, and he holds the SHRM-SCP certification.

Ms. Walters has more than 30 years’ combined experience in management, HR administration, employment law practice, and teaching.

She has presented at conferences across the country, been engaged as an expert witness, and testified before U.S. Congressional and state legislative committees on employment issues.

Her book, “From Hello to Goodbye: Proactive Tips for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations” is in its 2nd edition and was one of the SHRMStore’s “Great 8” best-sellers for eight consecutive years.

Today, Ms. Walters works as an independent consultant doing business as FiveL Company, “Helping Leaders Limit their Liability by Learning the Law.”SM

Ms. Walters has more than 30 years’ combined experience in management, HR administration, employment law practice, and teaching.

She has presented at conferences across the country, been engaged as an expert witness, and testified before U.S. Congressional and state legislative committees on employment issues.

Her book, “From Hello to Goodbye: Proactive Tips for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations” is in its 2nd edition and was one of the SHRMStore’s “Great 8” best-sellers for eight consecutive years.

Today, Ms. Walters works as an independent consultant doing business as FiveL Company, “Helping Leaders Limit their Liability by Learning the Law.”SM