In-person Pass

Erica started her career designing and facilitating training for social impact organizations. She quickly realized her calling: arming organizations with the capability needed to evolve. Since joining SHRM four years ago, Erica has held three roles. She began her career at SHRM in Research, then moved onto the founding SHRMLabs team. SHRMLabs explores the intersection of work and technology. Now, Erica oversees the enterprise client experience as the Manager of Solution Architecture.

Erica holds a master’s degree in industrial/Organizational Psychology, with a focus in instructional systems design. She earned her SHRM-SCP and consistently speaks on behalf of SHRM on workplace tech, the future of work, DEIB, and upskilling. Outside of work, you can find Erica tending to her indoor and outdoor garden, and giving her cat, Suki, more attention than she wants.    

Esu Ma'at is a trans-disciplinary thought leader who has a distinguished track record of success, driving a 21st century vision for diversity, equity and inclusion. He will work closely with the Magic's executive leadership team and the entire staff, along with the team’s social justice task force, to implement a holistic and impactful DE&I strategy, bringing a powerful impact to the organization, the NBA and the Central Florida community. 

In his role as the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Orlando Magic, he focuses on integrating DE&I strategy with the team’s business goals, organizational values and key performance indicators.  This includes attracting, engaging and retaining diverse talent; owning accountability for driving equity and belonging; and enhancing organizational culture, brand reputation and social impact. 

Ma’at earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a master of science degree in sports management from Columbia University and completed his D&I training at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He currently serves as an adjunct lecturer at Columbia University, he was named to the 2022 Orlando Magazine 50 Most Powerful People – One To Watch list, and he is a 2022 Community Impact and Icon Award honoree. 

Heather has performed at venues ranging from Barack Obama’s inaugural ball in D.C. to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She has been named a 2022 recipient of the prestigious Eugene Burger Legacy Award by the Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas, and has performed alongside legendary artists such as Joan Baez and Rita Moreno, and appeared with Hillary Clinton at San Francisco’s “Innovation Hangar”. 

Heather ran away with the Pickle Family Circus when she was young, and it was there she discovered her love of performing and honed her magic and juggling skills. She has the distinction of being the one and only female, comedy magician in the Bay Area and has performed for corporate clients such as Google, Intuit, Hewlett Packard, Oracle and has spoken at TEDx.

Heather is an active member of Meeting Professional International. She served on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee in 2020 and currently volunteers on the Education & Programs Committee.

Former U.S. Department of Justice attorney Michael Johnson has trained thousands of people on skills for detecting signs of deception and truthfulness, including presenting at dozens of conferences for human resource professionals and other busines executives.  

He has spoken at numerous conferences around the world for HR, legal, law enforcement, and other professionals.  He has provided numerous client-specific sessions for international organizations such as the United Nations (in New York, Congo, and Sierra Leone) and the World Bank, government agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Social Security Administration, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Northrup Grumman.

 As an attorney with the US Department of Justice, Michael was the lead attorney on one of DOJ’s first “pattern or practice” sexual harassment cases.  Michael has served as an expert witness in cases challenging the adequacy of employer’s investigation procedures. 

He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School.

Former U.S. Department of Justice attorney Michael Johnson has trained thousands of people on skills for detecting signs of deception and truthfulness, including presenting at dozens of conferences for human resource professionals and other busines executives.  

He has spoken at numerous conferences around the world for HR, legal, law enforcement, and other professionals.  He has provided numerous client-specific sessions for international organizations such as the United Nations (in New York, Congo, and Sierra Leone) and the World Bank, government agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Social Security Administration, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies such as Google and Northrup Grumman.

 As an attorney with the US Department of Justice, Michael was the lead attorney on one of DOJ’s first “pattern or practice” sexual harassment cases.  Michael has served as an expert witness in cases challenging the adequacy of employer’s investigation procedures. 

He is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School.