Concurrent Session

Emily helps clients implement and operate employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). Emily also handles benefits issues related to corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions due diligence.

As a compliment to her benefits practice, Emily regularly counsels clients in the area of healthcare law, including healthcare reform and HIPAA compliance. Her expertise includes advising clients with ties to the healthcare and pharmacy benefit management industry on business and contractual matters, practitioner employment agreements, administrative services agreements, compensation plans, and confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements.

Emily establishes strong relationships with her clients by building trust and confidence in her ability to identify goals and solutions. She emphasizes effective communication and strategic planning when working with employers on benefit plan design and compliance. Emily has the ability to analyze complex legal issues and state key points in a practical manner that can be applied to real-life client situations. She advises clients in a variety of industries, from small closely held businesses to national corporations.

Emily’s positive attitude, highly motivated personality, and determined approach result in successful outcomes and long-term business relationships.

John Austin is the P.D. Merrill Endowed Chair and Dean of the newly formed Honors College at University of New England. He also works with organizations around the world to improve the foresight skills of their leaders and future proof strategies and initiatives. Dr. Austin holds a BA in economics from The Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in management from Boston College. He is the author of Unquestioned Brilliance: Navigating a Fundamental Leadership Trap and Leading Effective Change: A Primer for the HR Professional published as part of the SHRM Foundation’s Effective Practice Guidelines Series. 

John Austin is the P.D. Merrill Endowed Chair and Dean of the newly formed Honors College at University of New England. He also works with organizations around the world to improve the foresight skills of their leaders and future proof strategies and initiatives. Dr. Austin holds a BA in economics from The Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in management from Boston College. He is the author of Unquestioned Brilliance: Navigating a Fundamental Leadership Trap and Leading Effective Change: A Primer for the HR Professional published as part of the SHRM Foundation’s Effective Practice Guidelines Series. 

Michael Dickerson is the CEO and Founder of Dickerson Consulting Group LLC, a human resource consulting firm specializing in stress management, workplace mental health and employee wellbeing. He worked 13+ years as a mental health professional. Michael holds a certificate in Applied Positive Psychology from the Flourishing Center in New York. His ultimate mission? To help leaders create a culture of wellbeing — so employees can uncover their strengths, find meaning, and flourish at work. He is the author of a new book “Struggle Well at Work: Positive Mental Health Strategies for a Flourishing Workforce.”

Raeann Burgo is a labor and employment attorney at Fisher Phillips, Pittsburg. Raeann adeptly advocates for employers across diverse industries, skillfully managing various aspects of litigation, NLRB representation, collective bargaining, and labor arbitration. She provides guidance on workplace policies and investigations, defends charges before administrative agencies, and crafts comprehensive handbooks. Additionally, Raeann plays a pivotal role in devising preventative strategies through comprehensive training initiatives and risk assessments, both before and after legal proceedings. Raeann’s extensive range of experience equips clients with strategies to navigate the intricate and complex landscape between the NLRA, Title VII and other employment laws with adeptness.

Jasmine Aquino has been driving learning and development for over a decade. She coaches individuals in action planning and career development to help them realize potential and achieve their goals, as well as redesigns organizational programs and launches strategic initiatives that focus on improving employee performance and retaining talent.  Her passion is influencing positive action-oriented change by increasing education, empowerment, and engagement.  Jasmine earned her MBA from University of Central Arkansas, and she holds multiple certifications in human resources (SHRM-SCP), project management (PMP), coaching (CPC), talent development (CPTD), and change management (CCMP).

I currently have the privilege of leading a national network of consultants, coaches and trainers. In partnership with JoDee Curtis, we are helping solopreneurs in the “people” space grow their businesses and better serve their clients.  I have been an educator, writer, marketer, business developer, connector, and content strategist at different times in my life. Now, I am all of those things at once. After years of connecting folks just because I couldn’t help myself (including the young man next me on the airplane and my daughter), I am now building a business on the promise that connection is powerful, valuable, and vital to being human.

Wellington O. Hepburn is a Senior Human Resources Leader with 24 years of business experience. Mr. Hepburn is the President of Wellington Hepburn International (WHI), which is an international talent management advisory company focused on training and development, talent acquisition, employee development, organizational development, leadership development, succession planning and career pathing. WHI has provided talent management solutions in numerous countries worldwide, some of which include The US, Canada, The Bahamas, Malaysia, Spain, Africa, Turks and Caicos, Europe, The British Virgin Islands and Jamaica.

Mr. Hepburn has earned over twenty awards for his leadership, communication and Human Resources expertise. Wellington is also a Past President of The Bahamas Society for Human Resources Management, a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and a two-time book author.

Wellington is married to his beautiful wife Rose, and they have three children: Sienna, Myles and Caleb.