Ric Edelman, a top-ranked advisor for nine years in a row and three times named the #1 independent financial advisor in the country,1 is Chairman and CEO of Edelman Financial Services LLC. He is also CEO, President and a Director of The Edelman Financial Group. Ric is the best-selling author of seven books, including Rescue Your Money, the award-winning The Lies About Money and the personal finance classic, The Truth About Money, now in its fourth edition. “The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman” can be heard on radio stations and seen on public television throughout the country. Edelman Financial manages $7.9 billion for more than 17,0002 clients. He is also an Investment Advisor Representative who offers advisory services through EFS and a registered Principal of (and offering securities through) Sanders Morris Harris Inc., an affiliated broker/dealer, member FINRA/SIPC.Visit Ric online at RicEdelman.com.

Michele Espada joined Federal Home Loan Mortgage Co.(Freddie Mac) as a Recruiting Manager in March 2006. Michele was promoted to her current role, Talent Acquisition Director in August of 2012. She is responsible for leading a team of 35 recruiting professionals who support the executive and non-executive recruiting efforts. Prior to assuming her current duties, Michele was a Director of Recruiting for Nextel Communications. In this role, she was responsible for managing the nationwide recruiting efforts for the Information Technology, Engineering and Technology Development departments. Michele brings seventeen years of recruiting and leadership experience to her role with Freddie Mac. Michele earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management from Cabrini College in Radnor, PA.

Paul Falcone (PaulFalconeHR.com) is principal of Paul Falcone Workplace Leadership Consulting, LLC, specializing in management & leadership training, executive coaching, international keynote speaking, and HR advisory services. He is the former CHRO of Nickelodeon Animation and has held senior-level HR positions with Paramount Pictures, Time Warner, and City of Hope. He has extensive experience in entertainment, healthcare/biotech, and financial services, including in international, nonprofit, and union environments.

Paul is a long-term columnist for SHRM, a certified executive coach, a board member of the American Management Association, and a bestselling author of 17 books published by HarperCollins Leadership, the American Management Association, and SHRM.

Daniel is a Partner in firm’s Washington, DC office. His experience includes counseling corporate clients on business immigration and compliance and enforcement matters. Prior to entering private practice, Daniel held a number of senior positions within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). From May 2005 to August 2006, he served as Counselor to the Assistant Secretary and then Director of the Office of Policy and Planning at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Daniel also served as the first director of ICE’s Secure Border Initiative Program Management Office, and was the Co-chair of the Federal Enforcement and Corporate Compliance team. Daniel began his career as a trial attorney with the INS in New York City, and also held several positions in the INS General Counsel’s Office.

Mrs. Peters has worked with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) since October 2018. She previously worked for SHRM’s former affiliate the Council for Global Immigration (CFGI) in the Washington DC metro-area for nearly fifteen years, helping to advance high skilled immigration and employment verification reforms with the U.S. Congress, the White House and the federal agencies. She has served as a chair of the policy committee of the Compete America coalition. She also serves on other coalitions and working groups to educate and advance immigration system efficiencies and to ensure critical changes to employer immigration compliance are reasonable.