Virtual Pass

Starla Sampaco joins us again this year to serve as SHRM24's Main Stage host! She is a Filipino-American columnist, host, and international speaker with a background in TV news for Seattle's PBS Channel. She is a contributor to Forbes and Harvard Business Review, where she focuses on teaching women and people of color how to advocate for themselves in the workplace. She also leads keynotes for clients like Microsoft and AT&T. As an extension of this work, Starla taught graduate students as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington Communication Leadership Master's Program, where she developed a course on executive presence, public speaking, and communication strategy. Prior to anchoring for PBS, she covered Washington state politics as a legislative reporter and hosted a technology news show.

Adrienne is a San Diego native, 300 hr Yoga Teacher and Movement Educator. She's been teaching yoga since 2016 and practicing since 2011. Adrienne is also a therapeutic massage and holistic health practitioner who specializes in pain management and injury recovery. Her goal is to empower people to cultivate a healthier relationship with their bodies through accessible, functional movement and a loving mindset. Her teaching style blends mobility-based, functional movement with basic yoga postures to improve your joint health, gain better stability and strength, and reduce stiffness and tightness. 

Tiffany Brown serves as the Certification Specialist for SHRM Affiliate Operations and is responsible for working with SHRM local chapters and state councils to develop and implement SHRM Certification initiatives.  Before joining the SHRM Certification department, Tiffany worked with the SHRM Member Relations team as a Member Engagement Associate supporting numerous affiliates across multiple regions in their efforts to achieve their respective membership goals. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Maryland - College Park, SHRM-CP, and SHRM People Management Qualification (PMQ).

Gennady Babankov, J.D. is a Manager of SHRM Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program. Babankov oversees two private sector exchange programs for foreign trainees and interns and helps develop, implement, and promote SHRM benefits portfolio for global mobility and immigration members.

Babankov has more than 20 years of experience building and managing global education and training programs for students and professionals. He has experience in teacher training, study abroad, cross-cultural training, and language acquisition, and has directed field operations in Russia, Central Asia, Middle East, and the Caucasus.

Prior to joining SHRM in 2019, Babankov managed several education and training programs sponsored by the federal government, including the Flagship Overseas Language Program (U.S. Department of Defense), Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program (U.S. Department of State), and the Open World Program (Library of Congress).

Babankov earned his J.D. degree from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, a master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University, and a bachelor’s degree from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia.

Babankov has lived in the United States since 1994 and currently resides in Fairfax, VA.

Marion Anderson, Chartered MCIPD, has led an extensive leadership career in international retail operations working for brands such as Apple, Levi Strauss, Calvin Klein, and French Connection. While in the UK, she decided to undertake a Master’s program at Glasgow Caledonian University in International HR Management which has a SHRM aligned curriculum. So far, this had led her to live and work in Mumbai, Kuwait, Dubai, London, and her native country, Scotland. Marion is currently completing a professional and cultural exchange, sponsored through SHRM’s Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Program, with the award-winning advertising agency Channel Bakers, in Orange County, California in a Global People & Culture leadership capacity.

Deniece Maston has 14+ years of HR experience.  Her areas of expertise in employee relations, performance management, talent acquisition, benefits and compensation is a great addition to the Knowledge Center team.  Prior to working at SHRM, Deniece spent a majority of her career in human resource positions in the government contracting industry.  Along with having her SHRM-CP, Deniece has a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University. She also holds the SHRM California Law HR and the Workplace Investigations Credentials, and the People Manager Qualification.

Yvette Lee, SHRM-SCP, is an HR Knowledge Advisor at SHRM, the world’s largest HR professional society, representing 300,000+ members in more than 165 countries. Yvette possesses over 25 years of human resources experience. Her expertise includes talent management, benefits, compensation, diversity and inclusion, employee relations, ethics and compliance, and employee development. A published author of several articles in SHRM's HR Magazine on various topics, Yvette holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Virginia. She also holds the SHRM California Law HR, Talent Acquisition, Inclusive Workplace Culture, People Manager Qualification and HR Dept. of One Specialty Credentials. Yvette enjoys spending time with her family and doing community service.

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.

Theresa Adams is a SHRM-SCP certified professional with 23 years generalist experience in the human resources field. She obtained a BS from the University of Maryland. She has experience in various industries, including manufacturing, retail and nonprofit. She has worked for SHRM for almost 12 years as an HR Knowledge Advisor in the SHRM HR Knowledge Center. She particularly enjoys collaborating with SHRM members by providing practical HR guidance and resources to promote effective talent management practices.