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. 

 

Steve McClatchy is an international speaker, trainer, consultant, writer and entrepreneur who has spoken before thousands of audiences who have been delighted with his entertaining style and powerful stories. He leaves each and every participant with a wealth of knowledge delivered in a fun and interactive fashion. Steve founded Alleer Training and Consulting out of his passion for adult learning and for the field of training and development. He has worked in sales, sales management, training and consulting for such organizations as The Pillsbury Company, Broderbund Software and Forte Systems.

Alleer has worked with Fortune 500 companies, small to mid-size firms, associations, universities, government agencies, unions, non-profits and more.  Alleer’s client list includes Major League Baseball, Microsoft, Merck, Disney, Ikea Nestle/Purina, Independence Blue Cross, State Farm Insurance, Wawa, American Cancer Society, Terminix, The National Basketball Association (NBA) University of Pennsylvania Health System, Nissan, LF Driscoll and Hewlett Packard to name a few.

Steve’s presentations are not lectured. The ideas and strategies are facilitated with interaction, exercises, videos and real world examples.  His presentations are lively, energetic and filled with his dynamic personality.  Thousands of hours of research, testing and design have gone into each topic.  The results are programs extremely rich in content and balanced with real world examples.

Steve explains what to do and how to do it in plain English so that participants can apply the concepts and ideas the very same day.   Participants walk away from his presentations with knowledge, skills and strategies that put them in greater control and make them more productive. 

Steve is one of twelve children and grew up outside of Philadelphia.  He lives with his wife and four kids in Malvern, Pa.  He has his BA in both Finance and Economics from the Catholic University of America in Washington DC.  He has been involved in the Big Brother/Big Sister program for over twenty years.

Nikita Devereaux is a professional speaker, leadership coach and lean certified productivity consultant who inspires companies and individuals to work smarter — through the application of virtual teams and technologies. Her company, It's a Smart Decision!™ offers coaching and training services to help virtual teams and work at home professionals find balance, enhance productivity and increase success in their work and life.

Donna Joseph is the CEO and co-founder of Rhodes-Joseph & Tobiason Advisors, an independent employee benefits coaching and consulting company helping employers and employee benefits professionals as well as brokers, vendors and service providers, www.rjtadvisors.com. Her company’s unique Rent-A-Benefits Director™ services accelerate clients’ achievement of business and benefits goals. Donna also leads her company’s Grow Your Benefits Career™ coaching practice, www.GrowYourBenefitsCareer.com. As former Benefits Director at a major global company, Donna brings her wide experience and depth of knowledge to her clients. She frequently speaks at national employee benefits conferences and has authored and been quoted in many articles on benefits.

Larry is an experienced counselor and trial lawyer. He is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and represents clients in all types of labor and employment matters, including wrongful termination and employee disloyalty litigation, development of personnel policies, implementation of workforce reductions, negotiation and drafting of employment agreements and compensation packages, union avoidance and collective bargaining, and investigations and administrative proceedings. Larry has tried cases to verdict, judgment and decision in state and federal court, before administrative agencies, and in arbitration.

Larry was named a Texas “Super Lawyer” seven times in Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters (2003-2005 and 2008-2011) and was recognized as a “Leading Labour Lawyer of the World” by Euromoney in 2003. Larry served as President and General Counsel of HR Houston, as an instructor for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Technical Assistance Program, and is an Adjunct Professor in Management in the Jones Graduate School of Business. Larry is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Society for Human Resource Management and other professional organizations and currently serves as President of Jones Partners. He is a regular speaker at national and regional human resources conferences and has authored numerous articles on employment law topics. Before founding the firm, Larry was a partner at Baker & McKenzie and co-director of the labor and employment practice at Legge Farrow.

Greg Madsen is Co-CEO of Innovative Rx Strategies. Greg possesses first-hand knowledge of PBM pricing models and is an expert in MAC programs, generic pricing and PBM operations. He also has expert knowledge of claims adjudication processes and benefit design administration, along with years of negotiating and auditing experience. Greg is a registered pharmacist with an MBA and prior to founding Innovative Rx Strategies, Greg was Senior Vice President of Retail Services for CVS Caremark. He was responsible for expanding the company’s retail programs, developing client pricing initiatives and was a key contributor to the client underwriting process.