Elizabeth Richards applies her mastery of the HR knowledge base as a dedicated SPHR and GPHR to her position as HR Business Partner for the Institute. Elizabeth holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations and brings a hands-on, results-driven philosophy to her role at the Institute where she leads the HR function and is responsible for all initiatives that affect the 45+ employees at the growing organization. Elizabeth was previously with Thales USA Defense & Security, where she assisted with the development and implementation of HR programs, policies and procedure. She also managed the company’s recruitment process and worked with other functional areas to modernize the HR function and its programs and systems. Prior to Thales, Elizabeth began her HR career at GMAC ResCap in Minnesota. She earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University. 

Toni Pilzner is an attorney with more than 15 years' experience in advising employers on creating and administering employee welfare and retirement benefit plans. Having worked as a certified public accountant and as an in-house corporate tax analyst dealing with employee benefit plan matters before becoming an attorney, she also understands the financial and practical aspects of employee benefit plan administration. Toni has shared her expertise with SHRM members by presenting concurrent sessions on employee benefits topics at a number of SHRM conferences in addition to writing SHRM Legal Alerts and contributing to SHRM Online articles on employee benefit matters. She also served on the SHRM Total Rewards Special Expertise Panel and its predecessor, the SHRM Compensation and Benefits Committee, as well as serving a three-year term on the U.S. Department of Labor's ERISA Advisory Council.

Chad Richter is a Partner with Jackson Lewis, LLP. Chad practices exclusively in the area of management-side employment and labor law. Chad serves on the SHRM Employee Relations Expertise Panel and was appointed to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Advisory Board for 2010 and 2011. Chad is a frequent speaker and author to various affiliate chapters of SHRM located throughout the United States. Chad also serves on the Midwest Chapter Board of the American Teleservices Association and is national chairman of the ATA’s Labor Relations Forum.