Concurrent Session

Mara Notarfonzo is the Vice President, Total Rewards at CAA Club Group. In this role, she oversees the design, development, and delivery of programs to enhance the employee experience. Her deep understanding of how HR practices support business outcomes results in effective and sustainable programs that support the overall well-being of employees and drive business results.

Jeremy Spake is a senior principal on the Thought Leadership & Advisory Services team at Cornerstone OnDemand, a leading global SaaS-based talent management solution provider. In this capacity, he works to develop continuous performance management, data-driven compensation, and succession strategies to advise organizations on how to drive people theory into practice. Central to this work is providing guidance to embed talent management strategy with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) initiatives for clients. Spake has led pay equity initiatives, Employee Resource Groups, advocated for inclusive benefits offerings and regularly leads talent management strategy workshops for Cornerstone’s clients.

Stacey Lewis is the CHRO/Director of Human Resources for the Port of Long Beach, the second-busiest seaport in the United States, with approximately 530 employees and generates annual operating revenues in excess of $300 million. Stacey has over 30 years of professional human resources experience, both in the private and public sectors. Prior to joining the Port, Stacey established her own Human Resources consulting company and worked as the Human Resources Manager – Civil Service for the City of Torrance. A dynamic and well-sought after “transformational” speaker and self-proclaimed disruptor, Stacey received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of the Pacific. She also holds a Human Resources Management Certification from Loyola Marymount University, as well as several professional HR designations/certification. Stacey is a former Commissioner for the Long Beach Unified School District Personnel Commission, as well as she holds several leadership positions on a number of local boards. Never losing sight of her passion to re-engineer the HR agenda, Stacey is the Creator and Chief Influencer of HR Interrupted., an online community for HR Influencers with GRIT who unapologetically interrupt historical workplace ideologies/practices through inspiration and insight.

In addition to being tenacious about her professional career and following her purpose and passion to encourage people, especially women to live their very best lives, Stacey formerly served as a Host on everywaywoman.com, a local cable and internet talk-show committed to celebrating everyday women in every way. She also hosted a local radio show on Accelerated radio.net. Her professional, relationship and parenting advice has been featured on several websites, publications and TV shows including the Rachael Ray Show and Ebony and Parenting magazine. Yet, after being everything to everybody for so long, Stacey took a step back (both personally and professionally) and decided to spend some quality time with and on herself. Due to her amazing story and journey of weathering abuse, she was selected as one of America’s Women Heroes for the ABC day-time talk show, The Revolution. Most recently, Stacey was one of the main stage presenters for the YPO International Conference, where she electrified the 5000 plus attendees with her story of personal healing and redemption. However, at the end of the day, when the business meetings and interviews have concluded and the cameras stop rolling, Stacey finds complete solace with her husband of 28 years and their three children

Claire Stroh, MBA, SHRM-CP is currently the Manager, of Managed Talent Services at Lighthouse Technology Services and CEO of Claire is Coaching. She has used LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and networking to build her personal brand and uncover new opportunities for herself and the companies she’s worked for. She’s passionate about helping others do the same! Claire has more than 10 years of successively diverse human resources management experience with privately-owned and publicly-traded global leaders. She is an active member and blogger for SHRM and served on SHRM’s Emerging Professional Advisory Council (EPAC) for four years. Claire was named a 2022 HR Impact Award Winner by Buffalo Business First and 2022 Community Catalyst Award Winner by HRUnite!.

Rebecca is employed by Behrens Manufacturing as the Director of Human Resources based out Winona, MN. Rebecca has been an active volunteer with SHRM since 2012 in multiple capacities. Rebecca started her volunteer work while enrolled in the Human Resource Management program at Western Technical College where she served as Secretary. Since then, she has held several leadership roles including VP of Membership and President-elect. Rebecca continues to serves as the Volunteer Director for the Minnesota State SHRM Conference in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Rebecca is currently serving as President for her local chapter, Winona Area SHRM. Rebecca also serves on the Winona State University HR Advisory Board which focuses on the current curriculum for Human Resource students and what improvements can be made to the program to ensure that qualified candidates are entering the workforce.

Rebecca received her Associate's degree in Human Resource Management in 2012, her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources in 2015 and her Master's in Training and Human Resource Development in 2018. Rebecca obtained her SHRM-CP certification in July 2018.

Rebecca is passionate about working with students and young professionals to help them use their voice, advocate for the Human Resources profession and develop themselves as professionals. She also advocates for volunteer work with SHRM to help aid in the development of young professionals. She does this by lecturing at the local university on topics including: (1) resume building, (2) interview etiquette, (3) total compensation and (4) negotiating pay as a young professional. Rebecca has also participated in an episode of Honest HR to advocate for volunteer work with SHRM.

Rebecca currently resides in Winona, MN with her fiancé and enjoys camping and hiking her way through the entire Minnesota State Park system. She also enjoys traveling as often as she can.

Rebecca represents and services the North Central Region membership council.

Justin D. Davis, MS-HRM, works with business leaders to hire, recruit, and leverage talent as their competitive advantage to achieve maximized success. Justin believes that talent development and utilizing progressive strategies to unlock leadership potential is critical for winning organizations! Justin joined Old Navy in 2011 and currently is a Regional HR Manager. In 2013, Justin was celebrated with the Exceed Award for his contributions in the development of Leadership Academy, Old Navy’s initiative dedicated to elevating essential leadership skills, accountability, and performance for store and field leaders. He’s led the Ascend Accelerated Development Program, a program for high potential diverse leaders that builds their capabilities and supports a pipeline of diverse talent for the organization. Justin works closely with This Way ONward, which is Old Navy’s program created to provide the next generation of leaders aged 16-24 with the career and life skills, as well as valuable first-job experience, helping to build their confidence for the future.

Justin has achieved certifications in Strength Based Leadership, Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership, InsideOut GROW Development, and has experience in training and development, talent management and succession planning, employee engagement and retention, and employee relations. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland-College Park and completed his Masters of Science in HR Management at the University of Maryland-University College. In the community, Justin is the National Vice President of Fraternity Affairs for Alpha Nu Omega Fraternity, Inc and served on the Advisory Council for YouthBuild Charter School Philadelphia.

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.  

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, a strategic organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500's to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker and blogger, author of three books, and she has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning.

Dr. Susan Strauss is a national and international speaker, trainer and consultant. Her specialty areas include education and workplace harassment, discrimination and bullying; organization development, and management/leadership development. Her clients are from healthcare, education, business, law, and government organizations from both the public and private sector. Susan conducts discrimination and bullying investigations, works as an expert witness for education and workplace harassment and bullying lawsuits, and coaches those managers and employees that need assistance in stopping their misconduct

Dr. Strauss has authored over 30 books, book chapters, and articles, Susan has been featured on 20/20, CBS Evening News, and other television and radio programs as well as interviewed for newspaper and journal articles. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership.

A certified Human Resources and Labor Relations professional with over 30 years of education, labor and civil rights investigation experience, Joe fills multiple roles at the Culinary Institute of America’s many campuses including service as a Title IX/VAWA compliance officer and Co-Chari of the CIA’s Diversity Council. Before becoming a college administrator, Joe served as a practicing attorney, representing and counseled numerous K-12 public school districts throughout New Jersey in complex legal matters. A graduate of Syracuse University and Brooklyn Law School, Joe also received his Certificate in Human Resources Management and Personnel Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also is a certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from HRCI and as a Title IX Coordinator and Investigator by the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).

Samia M. Kirmani is a principal in the Boston, Massachusetts, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and co-leader of the firm's Workplace Training group and member of our Corporate Governance and Internal Investigations Practice Group. She is also a member of the firm's Corporate Diversity Counseling Practice Group and the pay equity and sexual harassment resource groups. She concentrates her practice in employment counseling, training, and policy development on behalf of management.

Samia regularly conducts interactive and engaging training programs for boards, executive leadership teams, managers, employees, individuals, in-house counsel, and human resource professionals on various workplace topics, such as discrimination and harassment prevention; diversity, equity, inclusion, and bias; conducting workplace investigations, and the range of workplace law topics.

She provides practical legal advice to clients on various employment law issues, including harassment and discrimination; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; pay equity; health and leave management; reductions in force; retaliation and whistleblower matters; individual separations; and employee relations issues. Samia also conducts and advises clients with respect to investigations, including those involving leadership, boards, managers, employees, and third parties. She also assists clients with creation, revision, and implementation of workplace policies. She also routinely conducts management and employee trainings on topics in employment law, including sexual harassment prevention, diversity and inclusion, and best management practices. Samia serves as a firm resource on drafting and implementing national arbitration agreements. She defends employers in employment-related administrative proceedings at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. 

Samia is a frequent speaker, commentator, and author for various audiences and publications on workplace law topics, such as harassment, investigations, diversity and inclusion, discrimination, pay equity, arbitration agreements and class action waivers, and related matters.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Samia served as in-house counsel at a technology company, focusing on employment and dispute management.

While attending law school, she was a solicitations editor for the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review.