James A. Paretti, Jr.
Shareholder
Littler Mendelson Workplace Policy Institute
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James A. Paretti, Jr. is an experienced management-side employment and labor relations attorney with in-depth political and policy knowledge of labor, pension, healthcare and employment law, regulations and legislation. Jim is well versed in all aspects of legislative and political processes with demonstrated knowledge in the substance of federal labor and employment policy. He has over two decades of experience working with federal legislators and policymakers, including former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Chairmen of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and senior level administration officials.

Prior to joining Littler, Jim was chief of staff and senior counsel to the acting chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He provided legal and political counsel with respect to all aspects of agency business, administered and managed the Office of the Chair where he was responsible for over 2,200 employees and a 375 million dollar annual budget, and served as primary liaison to regulated stakeholders and Capitol Hill. His extensive experience includes developing policy and providing legal counsel on the Committee on Education and Labor in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as coordinating external communications and media relations for a senior member of Congress. Jim represented corporate and nonprofit clients in employment litigation in federal and state court, before administrative agencies and in private arbitration while with two Boston firms.

During law school, he held positions as editor as well as note and comment editor for the New York University Law Review

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Josh Christianson
Project Director
Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship
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Josh Christianson is Project Director for the Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) where he leads efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce through apprenticeship. Josh has extensive experience in supporting the diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts of non-profit organizations, private companies, and government agencies.
 
He is the former director of the Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT), where he built cross-sector partnerships to shape the policies and practices contributing to the development of accessible emerging technologies in the workplace.
 
Before coming to PEAT Josh was a Senior Consultant at Deloitte where he provided talent strategies, change management, and leadership development support to federal agencies.
 
Prior to Deloitte he spent several years with The Posse Foundation as the Career Program Manager where he cultivated relationships with companies and organizations to provide career development opportunities for Posse Scholars and Alumni.

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Mary Wright
Manager, Apprenticeship
SHRM Foundation
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Mary V. L. Wright leads one of the SHRM Foundation’s four pillars of work: Skill Building - Preparing People for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Workplaces.  A critical part of that effort is leading the implementation of the US DOL funded HR Registered Apprenticeship Program, the first national HR apprenticeship program. As such, she is responsible for all parts of the program – development, marketing, sales, budget and evaluation.  In addition, she leads the Foundation’s work on the role of credentials in achieving an organization’s diversity, equity and inclusion goals and is an integral part of the team in promoting the inclusion of untapped talent in the workforce.

Ms. Wright has many years of experience connecting the public and private sectors in municipal finance, government affairs, and workforce development as a project leader, facilitator and subject matter expert.

Previously, Ms. Wright was a director at Jobs for the Future (JFF) where she designed and supervised the completion of foundation, government and employer-funded projects on topics including: expanding employability skills, developing apprenticeship and work-based learning strategies, utilizing labor market information to determine educational focus, better hiring and training practices for people with disabilities, improving entry level jobs for the retail sector, determining the correct educational focus for specific geographic areas including the state of Florida and Columbus Ohio, and an in-depth analysis of green infrastructure jobs.

Prior to joining JFF, she served as director at The Conference Board in New York City, driving its work in workforce readiness, business, and education partnerships. She also focused on improving the employment outcomes for people with disabilities through research and convenings. Ms. Wright co-authored or acted as project director on several key Conference Board reports regarding workforce readiness skills, including Are They Really Ready to Work? and The Ill-Prepared Workforce.

She serves on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Work & the Economy and the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation.

Ms. Wright received a Master of Business Administration in public/nonprofit management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs from Connecticut College.

 

 

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Lola Adeyemo
CEO / Founder
EQImindset
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Lola Adeyemo is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Advocate, Speaker, and Team Consultant. As the founder of EQImindset, she engages her skills and passion to promote inclusion within corporate workplaces. She advocates for an inclusive lens across every level within corporations as well as the empowerment of individual contributors, people managers, and executive leaders to align with their passions in supporting their personal and organizational goals.
Lola is a scientist by discipline and is currently working towards her Doctor of Strategic leadership degree with a dissertation focus on belonging, informal teams, and employee resource groups. She has work experience across global organizations in the biotechnology and life sciences industry and has spent years moving across roles in project management, supply chain, data analysis, people management, HR compliance, and Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion positions. Her book on Immigrant Women in Corporate America is set for a Fall 2022 release.

SESSIONS:
Monday, April 11, 2022 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Lola Adeyemo
CEO / Founder
EQImindset
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Lola Adeyemo is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) Advocate, Speaker, and Team Consultant. As the founder of EQImindset, she engages her skills and passion to promote inclusion within corporate workplaces. She advocates for an inclusive lens across every level within corporations as well as the empowerment of individual contributors, people managers, and executive leaders to align with their passions in supporting their personal and organizational goals.
Lola is a scientist by discipline and is currently working towards her Doctor of Strategic leadership degree with a dissertation focus on belonging, informal teams, and employee resource groups. She has work experience across global organizations in the biotechnology and life sciences industry and has spent years moving across roles in project management, supply chain, data analysis, people management, HR compliance, and Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion positions. Her book on Immigrant Women in Corporate America is set for a Fall 2022 release.

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Wade Larson
Personal Pronouns
He/Him/His
President/Senior Consultant
Optimal Talent Dynamics
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Dr. Wade Larson is a workforce consultant and human resources executive with 30-years of experience in strategy, leadership enablement, and talent management. His    expertise in HR and leadership helps organizations improve structures, culture, management, and leadership to achieve their goals. As an international speaker, published author, and professor, he strives to help others achieve the best versions of themselves. Wade has worked with hundreds of organizations and thousands of leaders to shift mindsets, innovate programs, and lead change that helps them do more, achieve more, and live their best lives.

 

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Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP
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He/Him/His
Lead Consultant and President
InvigorateHR, LLC
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Jeremy York, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Lead Consultant and President of InvigorateHR and coauthor of the “JoyPowered Organization.” He has over 20 years' experience in human resource strategy and business operations where he has worked with and advised all levels of management on critical business and people-related issues. Jeremy's expertise in defining and understanding the "big picture" enables him to translate business needs into tangible solutions. With his guidance, organizations have improved employee relations, increased performance, and developed cultures based on mutual trust and respect. Jeremy holds a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Purdue University. He has served as an adjunct faculty member for Purdue University Indianapolis for over 15 years teaching various leadership and human resources curriculums. Jeremy is a national speaker and currently serves as an advisor on the Society for Human Resource Management’s Diversity Taskforce.

SESSIONS:
Monday, April 11, 2022 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Alison Daley
Personal Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
CEO
Recruiting Innovation
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Alison Daley is the Founder & CEO of Recruiting Innovation. A 15 year veteran of the recruitment industry, Daley focuses on the intersection of technology, professional development, and reimagining recruitment models for the 21st century. Creator of the Tech Recruiter Certification and the Alignment Framework™, Daley is a pioneer in technical recruitment. She is an international speaker, trainer and entrepreneur.

 

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, April 12, 2022 - 10:30am to 11:30am
Alison Daley
Personal Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
CEO
Recruiting Innovation
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Alison Daley is the Founder & CEO of Recruiting Innovation. A 15 year veteran of the recruitment industry, Daley focuses on the intersection of technology, professional development, and reimagining recruitment models for the 21st century. Creator of the Tech Recruiter Certification and the Alignment Framework™, Daley is a pioneer in technical recruitment. She is an international speaker, trainer and entrepreneur.

 

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LaDonna Gatlin
Licensed Dance Fitness Instructor
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LaDonna is a licensed dance fitness instructor and has been teaching Zumba and dance classes for Walter Lewis Fitness Solutions since 2018. She has 10 years of experience in professional ballet, tap and jazz dance. She is also a licensed Mixxedfit instructor. Mixxedfit is a people inspired dance fitness program with body weight toning movements. She has been teaching weekly classes at The St. James and Golds Gym in Lorton, VA for two years. LaDonna is also a Registered Oncology Research Nurse for Virginia Cancer Specialists.

SESSIONS:
Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-15-PA)
Congressman
U.S. House of Representatives
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A life-long resident of Howard Township, Centre County, Pa., Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Prior to being elected to Pennsylvania’s geographically largest congressional district, GT spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator. Through his professional experiences, GT has touched the lives of thousands of individuals facing life-altering conditions. As a result, he has learned firsthand the importance of access to quality healthcare and has become a strong advocate for increased access, affordability, quality of care, and patient choice.

An Eagle Scout and 30+ year veteran of the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council, GT has served as Scoutmaster, Council executive board member, and Council President. He has enriched the lives of youth throughout Central Pennsylvania. Among just 2,000 presented since 1969, GT received the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2012.

GT is also a former member of the Bald Eagle Area School Board, past vice-chair of the Private Industry Council of the Central Corridor, and a former Workforce Investment Board member. Because of these experiences, he was appointed to the House Committee on Education & Workforce in 2009. Rep. Thompson is also serving in his fifth term as Co-Chairman of the bipartisan Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. In the 115th Congress, Thompson introduced the Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act that passed the House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

A community leader and a volunteer firefighter with over three decades of service, GT is acutely aware of the challenges facing Pennsylvania communities. As Republican Leader of the Agriculture Committee and a senior member of the Education & Labor Committee, GT is in a unique position to bring his expertise and knowledge to bear on the issues facing rural businesses, communities, and families, in order to improve the lives of the citizens of the Fifteenth District.

GT has been the No. 1 speaker on the House Floor for the past five years. He views this as a responsibility to be a strong voice for the citizens of the Fifteenth District and an opportunity to influence the Washington legislative agenda.

GT is a proud graduate of Penn State and Temple Universities, where he earned a B.S. and a Master of Education, respectively. He and his wife, Penny Ammerman-Thompson, have three adult sons, Parker, Logan, and Kale. GT and Penny reside in Howard Township, Pa.

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