Joseph (“Joe”) Beachboard is a nationally recognized employment lawyer who also closely tracks the most important developments at the U.S. Supreme Court impacting the business community. He has more than 30 years of experience representing management in a wide variety of employment and labor matters in perhaps the most challenging state in the nation for employers – California.  Mr. Beachboard speaks regularly before human resource and employer groups on cutting edge employment law topics.  He is a member of SHRM and has been an annual presenter at both the SHRM Annual Conference and the Employment Law and Compliance Conference for two decades.  Mr. Beachboard is frequently quoted in such leading publications as HR Magazine, National Law Journal, Los Angeles Times, NY Times, HR Executive and Workforce, and has been published in dozens of legal and business journals. Throughout his career in Los Angeles, Mr. Beachboard has represented dozens of studios and entertainment properties.  He cites his most interesting project as working with the cast and crew of the television show The Office, from its pilot through the final season.

Delya is a Partner in the Walnut Creek office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. She provides a breadth of corporate and family-based immigration experience, and she serves clients of all sizes in industries such as financial services, biotechnology, retail, and technology. Delya offers strategiccounsel on all aspects of corporate immigration law, regulation, policy, and compliance, including nonimmigrant visas, permanent residence, naturalization, I-9 and LCA compliance, and corporate restructuring. Delya is committed to providing tailor-made counseling and superior service to clients.

Dr. Michael Baran is the CEO of Iris Inclusion, a global diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) firm. Dr. Baran draws on his own social science research to inform his DEI speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, and eLearning. After teaching at Harvard University, he has been supporting DEI in organizations for 20 years. His work has been covered in the New York Times, BBC, Forbes, CNN, NPR, and more.

His recent book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion, was named by Forbes as one of “The 11 Books To Read To Be A More Inclusive Leader” and has won several awards.

Dr. Natalie Baumgartner is an engagement and culture thought leader and evangelist. She has spent her career translating engagement and culture research into SaaS based software, helping organizations to achieve high performance.

Dr. Baumgartner holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Strength-Based Psychology. She serves on several boards, including that of the Consulting Psychology division of the APA, and has long advised senior leaders on issues related to culture and engagement. Dr. Baumgartner is a popular speaker and regularly engages audiences on topics related to the employee experience – including a TEDx talk on the importance of culture fit.

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.”

Christopher Patrick is a Principal in the Denver, Colorado, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and is a member of the Firm’s Affirmative Action Compliance and OFCCP Defense Practice Group, Pay Equity Resource Group, and Corporate Diversity Counseling Group.

Christopher counsels on EEO compliance, affirmative action, pay equity, and diversity.  He also oversees the preparation of affirmative action plans, directs privileged pay analyses under state and federal laws, and defends employers in OFCCP audits. 

After spending more than a decade in talent management for the legal industry, Rachael founded Fringe Professional Development in 2017 with a singular goal: to help people communicate with each other more effectively at work. Today, Fringe is a full-service training and coaching company that’s dedicated to applying the science of how our brains work to its customized and progressive programming — all to help ambitious, high-achieving professionals excel in their careers. Rachael holds a certification in brain-based coaching from the NeuroLeadership Institute, as well as certificates in mediating disputes from the Harvard Law School of Executive Studies and women in leadership from Cornell University. Rachael is an active member of the Forbes Coaches Council and has had the opportunity to lead workshops for thousands of professionals and conference attendees around the globe.