Megan Niewold
Program Manager, Societal Challenges
SHRM Foundation
Connect Online with this Speaker

Megan Niewold serves as the Program Manager focusing on societal challenges for the SHRM Foundation. She strategically executes the strategy, administers, and evaluates SHRM Foundation’s programming through innovation, collaboration, and impact with a specific focus on Mental Health and Well-Being in the Workforce.

Prior to her role as Program Manager, Megan worked at Arlington Community Federal Credit Union as their Community Impact Manager, engaging companies, employees, and members with the Credit Union’s mission and purpose in the community. 

Megan is a Girls on the Run NOVA coach and advisory council member and has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. When she’s not camping, traveling, or volunteering, she can be found walking her dog with her husband in Falls Church, VA.

SESSIONS:
Carol A. Kiburz, SHRM-SCP
Former Vice-President of Human Resources
Connect Online with this Speaker

Carol is a proven executive with extensive experience in building and leading sophisticated, high-performance teams across broad geographies and various industries.  She develops and executes Human Capital strategies that enable and extend corporate strategy - driving performance, engagement, customer satisfaction, and profitability.  Carol’s career spans over 20 years as a transformative leader with tech-savvy and agility, 

Carol has been published in Manage HR Magazine, HR Tech Outlook, CMP’s “C-Suite on Talent” and Bruce Waller’s “Life in the Leadership Lane.”  She achieved her B.S. in Computer Science and her M.B.A.

She was most recently, until August 2023, VP of HR at Halff Associates, a full-service engineering/architecture firm operating in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.  

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Tony Fuhrmann
Director, Employment & Training
Madison County
Connect Online with this Speaker

Tony Fuhrmann has served as Director of Employment and Training for Madison County since August of 2017.  Prior to joining Madison County he served as Chief Financial Officer for the Bureau of Property Management, Central Management Services, state of Illinois for 2 years.  Previously he was employed with the Department of Human Services at the state level for 17 years. He worked for Anheuser Busch in the Logistics Department for 10 years.  He holds a Master of Marketing Research Degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  Currently he is serving as a City Councilperson for the city of Collinsville, IL.

SESSIONS:
Payton Drury
HR Director
City of Collinsville
Connect Online with this Speaker

Payton Drury is the Human Resources Director with the City of Collinsville and has been with the City for over 6 years. Payton oversees all areas of human resources, including employee retention, employee engagement, employee recognition, employment policies, recruitment, training, and benefits. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus in HR and Marketing and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

SESSIONS:
Tony Fuhrmann
Director, Employment & Training
Madison County
Connect Online with this Speaker

Tony Fuhrmann has served as Director of Employment and Training for Madison County since August of 2017.  Prior to joining Madison County he served as Chief Financial Officer for the Bureau of Property Management, Central Management Services, state of Illinois for 2 years.  Previously he was employed with the Department of Human Services at the state level for 17 years. He worked for Anheuser Busch in the Logistics Department for 10 years.  He holds a Master of Marketing Research Degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  Currently he is serving as a City Councilperson for the city of Collinsville, IL.

SESSIONS:
Darlene Ladd
Assistant Director
Madison County Employment & Training Department
Connect Online with this Speaker

Darlene Ladd, Assistant Director at Madison County Employment and Training has 8 years of experience in workforce development, assisting job seekers and businesses meeting the changing demands of the labor market. Prior to working with Madison County, she worked for over 16 years with a non-profit agency assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining employment.  Providing recruitment, job placement, coaching, retention services, and case management services through partnerships with Vocational Rehabilitation and Ability One Programs.  Darlene is currently on the board of directors for a small non-profit organization that provides educational and employment training opportunities to adults with disabilities.  

SESSIONS:
Paula Bradford
Transition Specialist and Director of the STEP Program
Madison County
Connect Online with this Speaker

Paula Bradford serves as the Director for Madison County Transition Programs and the Special Education Administrator for Madison County ROE #41. She came to the position with 14 years’ experience as a Transition Specialist. She is a Youth Services Coordinator for Secondary Transitional Experience Program with Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). As a Youth Services Coordinator, she is a liaison between school districts and DRS. She serves as the Chairperson of the Madison County Transition Planning Committee which brings together representatives from Madison County school districts and local agencies to discuss and coordinate transition services.

SESSIONS:
Dima Ghawi, MBA
DEI Influencer
Dima Ghawi, LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Dima is Middle-Eastern in her genes and global citizen in her spirit. She ignites the untapped potential in individuals across the globe, empowering them to shatter limitations and become courageous, purpose driven leaders.

Through keynote speeches, workshops, and executive coaching, Dima shares her unique leadership transformation journey with one goal in mind: motivate those around her to reimagine their potential and grow into leaders.

Dima has worked across the United States, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa for several Fortune 100 companies and has honed a keen expertise in developing leaders to meet the demands of the global workforce.

 

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 10:30am to Wednesday, November 1, 2023 - 11:30am
Ellie Erickson
Executive Consultant
Workforce Science Associates
Connect Online with this Speaker

Ellie Erickson, she/her, is an executive consultant at Workforce Science Associates, spearheading their DEIB practice. As the lead author of the research paper "An Examination of Belonging Trends in the Workplace," she's committed to shaping inclusive work environments.

Ellie's role entails advising organizations on research-based employee engagement strategies, reflecting her dedication to enhancing employee experiences. Her expertise fosters positive change, ensuring workplaces thrive on inclusivity and belonging. In addition to her work at WSA, Ellie is a board member for OUTsider Film & Arts Festival.

Ellie earned an M.B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and a B.A. in Neuroscience & Behavior from Wesleyan University. 

SESSIONS:
Katrina Kibben
Personal Pronouns
They/Them/Theirs
CEO
Three Ears Media
Connect Online with this Speaker

Katrina Kibben is an award-winning writer and keynote speaker known for helping hiring teams write inclusive, unbiased job postings that help them hire the right person faster.

Before founding Three Ears Media, Katrina was a CMO, Technical Copywriter, and Managing Editor for leading companies like Monster.com, Care.com, and Randstad Worldwide. Today, they are frequently featured as an HR and recruiting expert in publications like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes.

Kat travels the country in their RV while dividing time between North Carolina, Colorado, and the dogs behind the name Three Ears Media.

SESSIONS:
Monday, October 30, 2023 - 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Michael Ungar
Executive Coach
Unico LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Mike Ungar graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has an MBA from Clemson. After his service in the Army, Mike joined Michelin North America. Over Mike’s 35-year career, he held managerial roles in continuous improvement, manufacturing, and human resources. Today Mike is a FocalPoint Business and Executive Coach helping business leaders achieve their potential.

Mike led Michelin’s Faith and Beliefs Business Resource Group.  He is a member of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding’s Workplace Advisory Council, is Co-chair of the DEI committee for Greenville SHRM, and a graduate of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative.

SESSIONS:
Michael Ungar
Executive Coach
Unico LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

Mike Ungar graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has an MBA from Clemson. After his service in the Army, Mike joined Michelin North America. Over Mike’s 35-year career, he held managerial roles in continuous improvement, manufacturing, and human resources. Today Mike is a FocalPoint Business and Executive Coach helping business leaders achieve their potential.

Mike led Michelin’s Faith and Beliefs Business Resource Group.  He is a member of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding’s Workplace Advisory Council, is Co-chair of the DEI committee for Greenville SHRM, and a graduate of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative.

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 3:45pm to 4:45pm
David Suson
Author, Corporate Leadership Coach, Speaker
Proliance Group LLC
Connect Online with this Speaker

David studies the keystones for success and achievement in the areas of Leadership, Communication and Personal Performance.  He studied over 3,000 top performers to find what the top leaders, salespeople and employees do.  And more importantly, he discovered the roadblocks that hold people back.  For over 25 years, David has worked with hundreds of clients of all sizes in many industries such as technology, banking, communications, healthcare, manufacturing and distribution.  He specializes in leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, sales and personal development and brings his insights to you to create breakthrough solutions. 

SESSIONS: