Concurrent Session

Kristen has dedicated her career to helping people prepare for the most significant milestone in life – retirement. She helps corporate plan sponsors and their retirement, investment and finance committees meet their fiduciary responsibilities; and strives to help their employees and beneficiaries make meaningful progress toward their financial goals. Kristen is co-head of the investment committee and leads the portfolio research team for her team’s institutional clients.

She also leads her team’s Women & Investing initiative. She understands that female investors often face a complicated financial situation, balancing the roles of mother, daughter, wife, grandmother, colleague and friend – while putting their own needs last. As part of this initiative, she plans and hosts educational events for female investors.

As a Chartered Financial Analyst®, Kristen holds one of the world’s most respected and recognized investment designations, giving her the skills needed for high-level, specialized asset-management responsibilities, including security analysis, portfolio management and business reporting. In 2020, Kristen obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, demonstrating her commitment to her profession.

Prior to joining Raymond James in 2015, she worked at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor for over twelve years and has prior experience as an investment banking analyst. Kristen maintains Series 7, 63, 66 and Life, Accident, & Health Insurance licenses.  She graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University and currently resides in Congers, NY.

Andrew Greenfield is an immigration attorney with over 25 years of experience advising HR and global mobility professionals on U.S. immigration and nationality law and policy and related corporate compliance programs. He counsels clients across industries on visa and work permit matters and the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate reorganizations, as well as I-9/E-Verify, H-1B/LCA and PERM compliance, and representation during government audits and investigations. Andrew is the managing partner of Fragomen’s Washington, DC, office and a member of the firm’s executive committee, which directs and manages the firm’s 50+ offices in over 30 countries.

Ben Greene is a transgender advocate and educator who has spoken internationally on topics surrounding transgender inclusion. After coming out at 15 in a small town, Ben has devoted his career to spreading empathy, education, and storytelling around the trans experience, and has spoken for companies, hospitals, schools, religious organizations, and government entities sharing what it means to be transgender and how to show up as an ally. He is a fierce advocate for transgender youth, regularly speaking in their defense at the Missouri State Capitol, and is the author of the book "My Child is Trans, Now What? A Joy Centered Approach to Support". He is passionate about educating others from a place of compassion—no matter where they’re starting from. 

Marna C. Whittington, PhD, serves on the board of directors of Phillips 66, where she is chair of the human resources and compensation committee and serves on the nominating and governance, public policy and sustainability, and executive committees. She has been a director at Oaktree Capital since June 2012, and she is on the board of directors of Macy’s, Inc.

Marna was chief executive officer of Allianz Global Investors Capital, a diversified global investment firm, from 2002 until her retirement in January 2012. She was chief operating officer of parent company Allianz Global Investors from 2001 to 2011. Prior to that, she was managing director and chief operating officer of Morgan Stanley Asset Management. Marna started in the investment management industry in 1992, joining Philadelphia-based Miller Anderson & Sherrerd. She was executive vice president and CFO of the University of Pennsylvania and, earlier, secretary of finance for the state of Delaware.

Marna earned a PhD and master’s degree in quantitative methods from the University of Pittsburgh, and received her bachelor’s in mathematics from the University of Delaware.

Tamla Oates-Forney is an innovative thought leader and speaker, women’s advocate, wellness champion, philanthropist, and investor. Tamla serves as Chief Executive Officer of SHRM Linkage, a leadership development firm empowering organizations to achieve business success by unlocking the full potential of their talent from the backpack to the boardroom.

Tamla previously served as EVP, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for USAA, where as a member of the Executive Council she led USAA’s team of more than 500 HR professionals spanning talent development, talent acquisition, pay and benefits, culture, and employee services for 37,000 teammates. Prior to joining USAA, Tamla served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at WM (previously Waste Management). She spent the majority of her career (20 years) at General Electric, where she held multiple leadership roles, including HR Leader for GE Africa, Chief Diversity Officer for GE Appliances and Lighting, and Vice President of HR for GE Energy Connections.

Tamla is also a member of the Board of Advisors for her alma mater, UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, and is a sought-after speaker, advisor, and thought leader for several HR-related technology startups.

Tamla is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration. A renowned expert in her field, she has received multiple honors, including being featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, The Network Journal’s 25 Influential Black Women in Business, and Savoy’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America. She is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC), a network of Black CEOs and business leaders who support the development of diverse talent and the promotion of social justice.

JoDee is the Founder of Purple Ink, a human resources consulting firm in Indianapolis, IN. They serve a wide array of organizations with recruiting, HR consulting, leadership training, and HR outsourcing services.

JoDee serves on the Indiana SHRM State Council and is the chair of the Indiana SHRM conference.

As President of Berkshire, Beth Ronnenburg, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is responsible for leading one of the most reputable and respected brands in affirmative action compliance solutions. Beth, who became President in June 2011, is the steward of Berkshire's strategic vision, “to help companies build their ideal, balanced workforce.” She oversees all business interests and operations, and more importantly, Beth is a well-known thought leader who speaks regularly at conferences including SHRM, National Industry Liaison Group (NILG), and other national events. She currently serves as a board member for the NILG, where she represents the Mid-Atlantic Region. She is also on the board of the Baltimore ILG. Beth holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from The Johns Hopkins University. 

As Convivial Brands Chief Human Resources Officer, Mary Dale is responsible for human capital management, total rewards program development and execution, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development for multiple companies under the Convivial Brands umbrella to include Design Design, Verdant Graphics, Tableau, Style Life, and the High Five Grand Rapids. In this role, she leads human resources initiatives for team members across 41 states. 

 
Before joining Convivial Brands in November 2019, Mary was the Chief Human Resources Officer for Metron Integrated Health System where she was responsible for accelerating Metron’s Human Resource transformation through leadership, differentiated talent models, creating strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, and building a culture of engagement. Under Mary’s leadership, Metron implemented a new talent acquisition strategy, compensation philosophy and structure, total rewards package, employee recognition program, and new HR model. Prior to her work at Metron, Dale was the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Clinical and Human Resources/HIPAA and OSHA Compliance Officer for Orthopedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) in Grand Rapids for over six years. Under Mary’s leadership, OAM was named one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan for over five years and the 101 Best and Brightest in Wellness in Michigan for two years. She also led Metron to win their first ever 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan in 2018 and again in 2019. While working at OAM, Mary was also involved in the implementation of the BPCI-Bundled Payments program and the opening of OAM NOW, a walk-in urgent care clinic for the practice. Prior to her work at OAM, Mary was a Senior Account Manager for Kforce Professional Staffing, where she was recognized as one of the top 10% of Account Managers/Recruiters Nation Wide in Monte Carlo. 

Ms. Dale is a frequent speaker at industry events and has spoken at the LEAP Healthcare HR conference, Disrupt HR Grand Rapids conference, MISHRM Annual Conference, How Women Rise Leadership Event, HR Unite, and HCAM (Health Care Association of Michigan) Annual Conference. She serves on various boards to include: The University of Michigan Health West Foundation Board of Directors, MISHRM State Board as the Membership Director, Grand Rapids Council for Ferris State University as their Co-Membership Chair, as an Advisory Board Member for the Communications program at Ferris Big Rapids, and as a founding member of the Grand Rapids International Network (GRIN). Mary previously served as a Board Member on the Ferris State Alumni Relations Board for three terms. Aside from her Board Memberships, Ms. Dale was named to the 2018 40 under 40 Class, was awarded the HR Unite Purpose and Inspire awards in 2021, and was highlighted in Profile Magazine for top HR professionals. 

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University in Communication with a minor in Psychology, DEI Workplace Certification from University of South Florida College of Muma, and is certified by HRCI and SHRM as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-CP). 

Subha Barry is a C-suite leader and an Advisor who brings a unique perspective on the alignment of corporate culture to talent strategy and business results. As a transformational change agent, she has a proven record of identifying and accelerating new business creation, driving sales, and increasing profitability.

She is president of Seramount, now part of EAB. Seramount is a strategic professional services firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Here, she drives the firm’s vision, strategy, and business development.

Prior to Seramount, Subha was SVP and Chief Diversity Officer at Freddie Mac, where she served on the firm’s management committee and led their Foundation. During her 20+ years at Merrill Lynch, Subha was a Managing Director and the company’s first Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, driving strategy, infrastructure and execution with a lens on both global and local community. 

She has taught Gender Policy at Columbia University and speaks passionately about the ability to drive innovation by embracing diversity and creating a culture of inclusion. She serves on a number of boards aligned with her passions—education, cancer research, and women’s advancement.

 A native of India, Subha holds a BA from Bombay University and an MBA and MS in Accounting from Rice University. She enjoys golfing, reading poetry and rallying for social change. She has two grown children and lives in Naples, Florida and New Hope, PA with her husband.

At 18, Daniel pioneered the first youth-led America’s Promise effort in Pittsburgh under Retired General Colin Powell, landing him a seat on the national board of directors and recognition from President George W. Bush. Daniel has 20+ years of experience working in the business and nonprofit sectors, fueled by his commitment to increasing others’ access to relationships and growth opportunities. 

At CoLabL, Daniel is working at the intersection of talent development and community building, creating and facilitating brand, relationship and skill-building experiences that support existing and future talent. 

He has worked with brands including Starbucks, Nike, Apple and LinkedIn, schools, nonprofits and government agencies. Daniel has served on boards including City Year DC, Community Foundation of the National Capital Region, Team Kids, and Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership. Named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 Honorees, Daniel has facilitated hundreds of training experiences, published articles on Forbes.com, and authored Tell Me I Can’t…and I Will.  

At 18, Daniel pioneered the first youth-led America’s Promise effort in Pittsburgh under Retired General Colin Powell, landing him a seat on the national board of directors and recognition from President George W. Bush. Daniel has 20+ years of experience working in the business and nonprofit sectors, fueled by his commitment to increasing others’ access to relationships and growth opportunities. 

At CoLabL, Daniel is working at the intersection of talent development and community building, creating and facilitating brand, relationship and skill-building experiences that support existing and future talent. 

He has worked with brands including Starbucks, Nike, Apple and LinkedIn, schools, nonprofits and government agencies. Daniel has served on boards including City Year DC, Community Foundation of the National Capital Region, Team Kids, and Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership. Named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 Honorees, Daniel has facilitated hundreds of training experiences, published articles on Forbes.com, and authored Tell Me I Can’t…and I Will.