As the Vice President and Global Head of Human Resources at MS International, Inc. (MSI), Chris leads the HR function for the premier flooring, countertop, and hard surfaces supplier in North America. With over 15 years of experience in HR and business management, Chris has a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions that impact his organization’s people and bottom line. Before his career in HR, he was a business leader responsible for managing sales, supply chain, and warehouse operations for one of the largest private employers in the US. He is a certified Diversity and Inclusion professional, a member of Forbes Magazine’s Human Resources Council, a member of Newsweek Magazine’s Americans Greatest Workplaces Council, and has won the Distinguished HR Leaders award for the last 3 years. In his current role, he partners with the executive team and the operational and sales management teams to align HR strategies with business goals. He oversees all HR activities across 50+ locations in the US, Canada, and India, including employee relations, organizational development, diversity and inclusion, performance management, training, benefits, compensation, rewards, wellness, workers compensation, injury prevention, and compliance. He also leads MSI’s HR modernization efforts, leveraging automation, big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning techniques to enhance people practices. 

April Treece has represented business interests with K-12 education for well over two decades. During that time, she set education policy for eight years as a trustee for one of the largest school districts in the East Bay leading the effort to transition career technical education to career pathways believing every child should be college ready and work ready—that it is one in the same.

Leading the nonprofit, Bay Area LEEDS, Treece is proud that the organization is one of the few business/education intermediaries in the Bay Area that brings long-term talent development solutions to workforce shortages by engaging STEM career pathway educators (K-16) and employers who have high-demand, difficult-to-fill STEM jobs. Through innovative programming, her team develops, plans and executes industry-supported approaches that build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable talent base assuring economic vitality in our local communities.
Treece blends her 25-year Fortune 500 public relations work with leadership experience, and has managed STEM-related intermediary efforts in the East Bay since 2001.

Treece has a distinguished career—the highlight having received the Presidential Award for Private Sector Initiatives at White House ceremonies while working at AT&T.

She is a 33-year resident of Clayton and resides there with her husband of 41 years.

April Treece has represented business interests with K-12 education for well over two decades. During that time, she set education policy for eight years as a trustee for one of the largest school districts in the East Bay leading the effort to transition career technical education to career pathways believing every child should be college ready and work ready—that it is one in the same.
Leading the nonprofit, Bay Area LEEDS, Treece is proud that the organization is one of the few business/education intermediaries in the Bay Area that brings long-term talent development solutions to workforce shortages by engaging STEM career pathway educators (K-16) and employers who have high-demand, difficult-to-fill STEM jobs. Through innovative programming, her team develops, plans and executes industry-supported approaches that build a more diverse, inclusive and equitable talent base assuring economic vitality in our local communities.
Treece blends her 25-year Fortune 500 public relations work with leadership experience, and has managed STEM-related intermediary efforts in the East Bay since 2001.
Treece has a distinguished career—the highlight having received the Presidential Award for Private Sector Initiatives at White House ceremonies while working at AT&T.
She is a 33-year resident of Clayton and resides there with her husband of 41 years.

Carmen Canales is a talent expert, dynamic leader, and three-time, multi-industry CHRO. She is an engaging and sought-after speaker and storyteller who connects with a wide range of audiences on topics related to talent, resilience, inclusion, leadership, and culture.

Carmen is passionate about belonging and maximizing the potential of current and future talent by advising leaders on how to build a nimble and high-performing workforce. She is known for her mentorship and sponsorship of emerging leaders, who become CHROs. Her industry experience is diverse, including senior leadership roles in the healthcare, higher education, consumer goods, banking, and professional services industries. She previously served as the chief human resources executive at Novant Health, Wake Forest University and at an international law firm. Earlier in her career, Carmen held human capital leadership roles at Wells Fargo and Pepsi-Cola.

She often is recognized for her contributions to the human resources profession. Carmen was named a Woman Worth Watching in the Profiles in Diversity Journal; an Al Día 2021 Woman of Merit; one of the Top 100 HR Professionals by the National Diversity Council; a Leader in Diversity by the Triad Business Journal; CHRO of the Year, Non-Profit by HRO Today; and Diversity MBA Inclusive Leader.

Carmen holds a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations degree from Michigan State University. She was appointed by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to the Forsyth Technical Community College Board of Trustees, has served on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hispanic and Latino Affairs, and has broad board experience.

A seasoned leader with over three decades of business and human resources (HR) experience, Miriam joins Simpplr to run and scale the people function and amplify Simpplr's employee experience (EX) and HR presence and voice in the market. Miriam previously consulted with Simpplr on product development, sales, and marketing, bringing an impactful HR perspective and advancements to all these areas.

"We are on a mission to transform the work experience for billions of people across the world," said founder and CEO, Dhiraj Sharma. "Miriam is already a key contributor to Simpplr. I've been inspired by the breadth and depth of expertise she has brought to Simpplr as a consultant. With Miriam as our Chief People and Experience Officer, our team, our solution, and our customers will all benefit. Simpplr is growing from strength to strength."

Before joining Simpplr, Miriam ran a successful HR consulting business. Prior to her consulting business, she was a partner in EY's People Advisory business and held senior positions for over 20 years with Willis Towers Watson. With her vast experience working across diverse industries, Miriam has helped organizations develop people strategies that effectively tackle intricate and complex challenges, shape employee experience, and navigate the ever-evolving world of work.

"At Simpplr, my two passions - people and technology - converge. By designing technology for the betterment of people's experience at work, we create a virtuous cycle that elevates an organization's business, its people, and the world we live in, said Miriam. "As an advocate of the strategic value of HR, I'm thrilled to channel my passion, experience, and ideas into practical application. I'm excited to be part of the awesome Simpplr team."

Tamara Cooksey is the CPO of Ingenio, where she is responsible for overseeing the global people operations function with a focus on culture and integrated change management. She has over 15 years of experience helping early-stage companies grow, develop, and retain top talent. Tamara has a strong combination of business acumen and emotional intelligence, which has resulted in her ability to be a results-driven leader who emphasizes relationship-building skills and creative problem-solving. She is extremely passionate about building people programs and culture initiatives to create positive, diverse, and supportive work environments that keep employees engaged, allowing them to reach their full potential. 

As Managing Partner, Mr. De Wames leads the firm’s employment law practice in its nine offices throughout California. A renowned trial attorney, he represents businesses in the full range of employment and labor law litigation with creative strategies tailored to the individual needs of his clients.

Eric is a vetted Trial Attorney and an expert advocate in the full range of employment law matters including wage-and-hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination claims. He brings particular expertise to representing clients in class actions and claims under the Private Attorneys General Act. He’s a skilled counselor for all forms of businesses, public entities and school districts in all matters before federal/state agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Department of Fair Employment, and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Office of Administrative Hearings, to name a few. Twice he was named one of California’s Super Lawyer Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters.

An engaging speaker, Eric conducts seminars across the state to assist employers in navigating California’s rigorous, ever-evolving compliance regulations, always with an emphasis on preventing litigation. He’s a published contributing author for Forbes and he co-authored MS&A’s e-book, “Navigating COVID-19: A Legal Guide for California Employers.” It’s a free resource for businesses in our state, regularly updated to reflect the changing pandemic landscape.

Eric is also an employment law expert consultant for Insurance Education Association (IEA) an organization dedicated to providing HR, risk managers and insurance carriers education on disability management and other employment-related compliance mandates. He advises on and is an editor for IEAs course materials and is a frequent guest lecturer.

Eric graduated from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento with distinction. He was on the Dean’s Honor List, and was a member of the Traynor Honor Society for Academic Excellence.

He’s a founding member of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Advisory Council, and supports a wide range of charities for human rights, animal welfare and access to health care.

Eric is proficient in written and spoken Spanish.

Christine Rodman is a visionary leader with an extensive background in Human Resources and training, spanning over 25 years. Christine’s expertise shines through her skillful design and facilitation of numerous training programs, each crafted to enhance productivity, ensure legal compliance and elevate the morale within organizations across a broad spectrum of industries. Beyond her professional pursuits, Christine is deeply passionate about giving back to her field and the local community.  Serving as State Director Elect for CalSHRM, Christine works to actively shape the future of HR practices and showcases her commitment to collaborative growth.  Her altruism extends to organizations like the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, Chops Teen Club, and the YWCA. Christine finds balance in an array of exhilarating activities.  Whether scuba diving into the depths of the ocean, snowboarding down mountainsides, running marathons with determination, or relishing cherished moments with her family, Christine embraces life with enthusiasm and authenticity.