Kim McNeil, SHRM-SCP is an HR practitioner with 11 years of experience. She spent most of her professional career working in the nonprofit, technology, and federal contractor sectors. Kim is currently a Knowledge Advisor in the Knowledge Center at SHRM. Her expertise includes talent acquisitions, benefits and compensation, global human resources management, employee relations, performance management, and diversity, equity, & inclusion. Kim has a Bachelor of Arts in World Politics from The Catholic University of America.

Dr. David S Cohen, Ed. D. has a vision: organizations that thrive by living their values in good times and especially VUCA times. David's first career was in elementary and high school education, where he built a reputation for building school communities based on purpose and social responsibility. Thirty-three years ago, David transitioned to corporate consulting. As a consultant, David earned a reputation as a contrarian consultant because he does not always follow what is popular in his chosen field. David works with leaders helping them understand what is and what is not necessary to build an active and positive organization. He helps leaders' step into life's challenges, inspiring them to create a sustained approach through a values-based focus, resulting in better business results. David has had the privilege of partnering with firms across five continents and all business sectors. Additionally, he has worked with governments, from the local to the federal levels, and not-for-profits.

He has taught at Queens University School of Labour Relations and the executive education program at the Schulich School of Business, York University. Currently, he teaches organizational development at Durham College. David earned his doctorate from Boston University in Humanistic and Behavioural Studies. During that time, he also completed independent studies at the Harvard School of Education, where he was a teaching assistant.

David is a keynote speaker, educator, disruptor, facilitator, team builder, and executive coach. He has authored two books and numerous articles in professional journals.

• The Talent Edge: A Behavioral Approach to Hiring, Developing, and Keeping Top Performers (John Wiley and Sons, August 2001)
• Inside the Box: Leading With Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success (Jossey-Bass September 2006)

When David is not travelling, he is hanging out with his five grandchildren, when possible, attending Toronto Raptor's games, or relaxing with family and friends.

David is honored to be recognized by the GlobalGurus30 as one of the top 30 GlobalGurus in Organizational Culture.

Dawn Kelley is a certified HR Professional with 25+ years of experience, she is highly skilled in human resources management, employee relations, leadership development, coaching/ supervision, and agency operations.  Dawn has a reputation for being a strong, empathetic leader.  She has volunteered for the Society for Human Resources Management including creating test questions for the SHRM-CP exam, serving as a judge in the college games and spent several years serving on the Executive Board for Central Valley Human Resources Management Association, the local SHRM affiliate chapter.  She is the Human Resources Manager for City of Modesto.  

In 2021, Dawn spoke at SHRM 2021 in Las Vegas bringing forward a thoughtful intro to transgender in the workplace, “Coming of Gender”. Reviews of this session included, “Dawn was an engaging speaker! Very passionate about the subject. Dawn was funny too! Loved that she was transparent enough to share her story with the group! Great presentation!”

Most recently she provided sidebar insights on transgenderism in Chapter 11 Diversity and Inclusion for the SHRM Complete Study Guide authored by Sandra M. Reed and was a speaker on PCTY Talks podcast- https://pctytalks.podbean.com/e/championing-gender-equity-with-dawn-kelley/ with Shari Simpson.

In September 2018, Dawn was a featured TEDx speaker in the Central Valley presenting on Parental Resiliency. She was a guest on two (2) episodes the Therapists Uncut Podcast in 2020 and most recently took part in the My HR Journey Podcast (2021) with Steve Watson.

With a determination to meet people where they are, to help people be heard and to celebrate their accomplishments, she uses her power of persuasion to teach leaders that every voice matters.  Seeing that light bulb go off, that realization in their eyes…means the world.

“We are the voice of those unable to speak, the confidant to lighten the load and the professional to hold people accountable when their bias and judgement get in the way of respect in our workplaces.”

Karl Ahlrichs specializes in helping organizations solve their talent shortage. 

He is a national speaker, author, and consultant, presenting on the people issues in all industries with a focus on solving the talent shortage, and is often quoted in the local and national media. 

He has held senior level positions in multiple Professional Services firms, and was a founding partner of ExactHire, bringing his HR, operations, diversity & belonging, and learning & development skills with him.

He loves intentionally improving with all manner of hobbies including writing haiku, mastering photography and learning Spanish. He wishes he had stuck with his guitar lessons in high school.

He was named the SHRM Human Resource Professional of the Year for the State of Indiana. He is on the Boards of several organizations, including the Maryland CPA Society.  He has lived in Scotland and Spain and is passionate about exploring new experiences with his family and friends.

Liz Petersen, SHRM-SCP, is the Quality Manager for the HR Knowledge Center at SHRM.  Prior to this role, she worked as a SHRM HR Knowledge Advisor.  Liz has a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology with a Business minor.  She has a master’s degree from University of Maryland University College in Human Resource Management. 

Liz has over 25 years of HR experience and the SHRM Senior Professional Certification.  Prior to SHRM, Liz worked as an Outsourced HR Manager for several small and medium sized organizations in multiple industries including technology, engineering, hospitality, retail, service, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, etc. She also worked as in-house HR Manager and Director in the manufacturing industry.

Liz is lives in Oceanside, CA with her husband.  In her free time, Liz is discovering a love for painting, hacking away on golf courses, doing anything water or beach related, watching Seahawk and Steeler football, and trying to earn a green thumb.

Yuletta Pringle, SHRM-CP, is an HR professional with over 25 years of HR experience encompassing compliance, policy development, employee relations, compensation, benefits and recruiting. Prior to joining SHRM, Yuletta worked with a professional employer organization (PEO) as an HR manager, providing virtual HR support to up to 30 companies. Yuletta is a native Washingtonian with a close family all located in the area. She enjoys traveling, listening to neo-soul music and riding her sports motorcycle. 

Jennifer Chang, SHRM-CP, brings a decade of human resources experience with her to the role of HR Knowledge Advisor. Jennifer has worked primarily in the government contracting industry in a variety of roles as an HR practitioner (generalist, specialist, and director). She holds a master's degree in Organizational Development and Strategic Human Resources from Johns Hopkins University. Jennifer particularly enjoys assisting SHRM members by being a sounding board and providing guidance and resources to help navigate complex employee relations issues.

Elissa Jessup, SHRM-SCP, has 8 years' human resources experience in the private sector, higher education, and government. Her areas of expertise include classification, compensation, talent management, benefits and employee relations. Elissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, and a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Human Resources Management.  Outside of work, she enjoys date nights with her husband, traveling with family and friends, visiting wineries and scrapbooking.