Dr. David Rock coined the term 'Neuroleadership’ and is the CEO of the NeuroLeadership Institute, a global initiative bringing neuroscientists and leadership experts together to build a new science for leadership development. With operations in 24 countries, the Institute also helps large organizations operationalize brain research in order to develop better leaders and managers. David co-edits the NeuroLeadership Journal and heads up an annual global summit. He has written many of the central academic and discussion papers that have defined the Neuroleadership field.

Stephen is a globally recognized inclusion, leadership and communications expert. From 2007-2012 Stephen designed, led and implemented the inclusion programs for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games as Head of Diversity and Inclusion for the London Organizing Committee (LOCOG). Prior to LOCOG, Stephen established and led the workplace team at Stonewall, Europe's largest LGBT equality organization. Stephen was elected recipient of the 2010 Peter Robertson Award for Equality and Diversity Champions and in 2011 he was named one of the top 100 influential LGBT people in the UK.  He is currently a Visiting Fellow in the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Follow Stephen on Twitter @frostincluded.

Mike Deblieux, SPHR-CA, is a trainer, consultant, and on-site coach for workplace leaders. He designs and presents seminars on performance management, selection, sexual harassment and other people management topics. He works individually with workplace leaders to review and revitalize their leadership skills. He leads team retreats and does special projects for clients. Mike is the author of seven popular business books including SHRM’s Performance Appraisal Sourcebook.

Skip has been Groupon's Head of Global Human Resources since June 2011. Skip has worked for a variety of companies including Microsoft, Cisco, and PepsiCo. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Business and English from Hope College and his MBA from the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University.

Lance J. Richards, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, SPHR, HRMP is a work force futurist and global HR strategist.  Most recently, he was vice president of Innovation for Kelly Services. Based in Detroit, Lance is one of SHRM's top rated speakers. He is a frequent speaker and writer on workplace issues, having presented at HR conferences around the globe. He is co-author of the Amazon-published book Gen Now (which is available in the SHRM Bookstore). Lance brings almost 25 years of cross-border expertise, with companies like British Telecom, Verizon, Bell Canada and Kelly Services. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Sasin Business School in Bangkok, where he teaches a graduate course in Global Human Capital.
Follow Lance on Twitter @LanceJRichards.
 

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.

Sheila helps leaders define organizational culture and use culture to drive organizational change. She holds a doctoral degree in Human Resource Development, teaches in the Professional MBA program at Georgia State University, and is President of Workplace Culture Institute. Sheila has written four books on organizational culture and change, and she consults with companies such as Philips, Shaw Industries, Acuity Brands/ZEP, and Cherokee Town and Country Club. Sheila is published in journals and professional magazines and has been quoted in newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A powerful storyteller with a powerful story to tell, Dr. Steve L. Robbins has an uncanny ability to inspire people even in the midst of disrupting and challenging the way they think about the world. Born in Vietnam, Dr. Robbins immigrated with his mother to the United States where they faced many challenges during a time when there was much anti-war and anti-Vietnamese sentiment.

Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles, Dr. Robbins now brings insightful perspectives on issues of inclusion & innovation, leadership, and the power of caring.  Drawing upon a compelling life journey, his talks and workshops are filled with intriguing stories, laugh-out-loud humor and a keen understanding of human behavior.

Dr. Robbins uniquely knows how to simultaneously challenge and motivate people with a dynamic use of storytelling, humor and extensive knowledge of pertinent issues and concepts. The inclusive power of his message are why organizations like Coca-Cola, Disney, Ford Motor Company, Walmart, Lululemon, Pixar, NASA, The NBA,  Michelin, Bank of America, Mercedes-Benz,  and numerous others call on Dr. Robbins to inspire, educate and prepare their people for the exciting challenges of dynamic and diverse environments.

A thought leader and innovator, Dr. Robbins' unique, science-based approach to inclusion and diversity has captured wide acclaim from numerous audiences and organizations across the the world. His approach does NOT blame or point fingers. It uses neuroscience and the science of human behavior to encourage individuals and organizations to be more open-minded, mindful and intentional about inclusion and valuing people for their unique gifts, abilities and experiences.

Dr. Robbins earned an undergraduate degree in Communication from Calvin College, and his masters and doctorate in Communication Science from Michigan State University.  His background in communication, social-psychology and cognitive neuroscience drives his work with individuals and organizations – the core of the work is about understanding human behavior and leveraging human differences in an ever-changing, fast-paced 21st world.

 

Mary Jane Mapes, MA, CSP, founder and president of The Aligned Leader Institute, a leadership development organization, is an award winning communication/leadership consultant with a track record of successes with such organizations as Avon Products, Inc., Kmart Corporation, Eaton Corporation, Dominos Pizza, Trinity Health System, and National Data Management Association. Her commitment to sharing what she has learned about management, leadership, and successful relationships has led to a great demand for her services as a keynote speaker, seminar leader, and executive coach.

Mary Jane has developed unique, powerful keynotes and seminars designed to energize your entire group. She has spoken before thousands of professionals from corporations and associations, sharing her expertise on leadership, customer service, interpersonal relationships, and personal growth. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, one of only three people to have ever received the prestigious Charles Leadership Award granted by NSA-MI for outstanding leadership, past president of the National Speakers Association – Michigan Chapter, as well board/committee member of several local professional associations and non-profit organizations. Mary Jane has shared the stage with such notables as the late Art Linkletter and author Bernie Siegel.

For the multitudes that have heard her speak, Mary Jane is known for her powerful storytelling ability that allows her to transport her audience into the picture and leave them with unforgettable insights into the dynamics of human relationships–the bedrock of true leadership. Her storytelling ability, along with her infectious energy, humor, authenticity, and interaction with the audience has made her a rare speaker whose messages are memorable for years to come. Each year she speaks extensively at conferences, association meetings, corporations and conventions, stimulating her audience to achieve new levels of professional and personal growth.

In addition to being a sought-after professional speaker, she is an author of three books: You CAN Teach a Pig to Sing – Create a Great Relationship with Anybody, Anytime, Anywhere" , The Art of Fielding Questions with Finesse, and the soon to be released book she is writing with co-author Marilynn Semonick Women Leaders Who Have Achieved Uncommon Success. She has also authored numerous published articles.