Concurrent Session

Meet Dr. Drew Fockler, the charismatic captain of the classroom and champion of change! As a University Professor specializing in HR and Leadership studies, Drew doesn't just teach; he ignites a revolution! With a magnetic personality and a knack for making complex concepts come alive, Drew empowers students to become tomorrow's trailblazers. But beyond the textbooks, Drew is a Change Champion extraordinaire, leading the charge for innovation and progress. Whether spearheading diversity initiatives or challenging traditional paradigms, Drew is at the forefront of reshaping the future of work. With passion as their compass and knowledge as their weapon, Dr. Drew Fockler is paving the way to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow!

Meet Dr. Drew Fockler, the charismatic captain of the classroom and champion of change! As a University Professor specializing in HR and Leadership studies, Drew doesn't just teach; he ignites a revolution! With a magnetic personality and a knack for making complex concepts come alive, Drew empowers students to become tomorrow's trailblazers. But beyond the textbooks, Drew is a Change Champion extraordinaire, leading the charge for innovation and progress. Whether spearheading diversity initiatives or challenging traditional paradigms, Drew is at the forefront of reshaping the future of work. With passion as their compass and knowledge as their weapon, Dr. Drew Fockler is paving the way to a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow!

Robert A. Boonin is a member of the national law firm of Dykema Gossett and is based in its Ann Arbor office. Rob is an honors graduate from The University of Michigan Law School, holds a Masters in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.  Practicing law for nearly 40 years, Rob has litigated employment law matters before federal and state courts across the nation, handles all forms of union matters for employers, and regularly counsels clients on such issues as discrimination, FMLA compliance, and wage and hour law. 

Rob is a recognized leader in his field.  For instance, he is: on the Chambers USA list of top employment law attorneys; listed as a Best Lawyer in Employment Law; repeatedly recognized as one of Michigan’s “Super Lawyers”; a Fellow and a Past-President of the Litigation Counsel of America; a Past Chair of  the national Wage and Hour Defense Institute; a Past Chair of the Michigan Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section; and a Fellow of the distinguished American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  Rob also in an immediate past-chair of the American Bar Association’s Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee (which covers FLSA matters), and serves as an Editor of the most recognized authority on the FLSA, the Bloomberg BNA legal treatise – The Fair Labor Standards Act.

Robert A. Boonin is a member of the national law firm of Dykema Gossett and is based in its Ann Arbor office. Rob is an honors graduate from The University of Michigan Law School, holds a Masters in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.  Practicing law for nearly 40 years, Rob has litigated employment law matters before federal and state courts across the nation, handles all forms of union matters for employers, and regularly counsels clients on such issues as discrimination, FMLA compliance, and wage and hour law. 

Rob is a recognized leader in his field.  For instance, he is: on the Chambers USA list of top employment law attorneys; listed as a Best Lawyer in Employment Law; repeatedly recognized as one of Michigan’s “Super Lawyers”; a Fellow and a Past-President of the Litigation Counsel of America; a Past Chair of  the national Wage and Hour Defense Institute; a Past Chair of the Michigan Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section; and a Fellow of the distinguished American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.  Rob also in an immediate past-chair of the American Bar Association’s Federal Labor Standards Legislation Committee (which covers FLSA matters), and serves as an Editor of the most recognized authority on the FLSA, the Bloomberg BNA legal treatise – The Fair Labor Standards Act.

Neena is a transformative Human Capital Management thought leader, revolutionizing organizations with her expertise.  Rising from a Computer Science background, Neena blends technical mastery with HR acumen to prioritize data-driven decisions and transparency. She's modernized the HCM sector with her ROI-driven approach and outstanding tech utilization, making HR a competitive advantage rather than a support function. An engaging speaker, Neena's presentations are rich, relatable, and humorous, igniting audiences to embrace innovation and foster inclusion. As a stalwart Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advocate, she champions diverse views and open contributions, sparking cultural change and promoting employee engagement. Her analytical and behavioral skills have proven instrumental in organizational transformation, solidifying her status through publications in renowned platforms like IPMA-HR, Route Fifty, WorldatWork, and SHRM. With 15+ years in the consulting realm, Neena's data-driven solutions have driven value amid fast-paced tech advancements. Her vibrant energy, sharp wit, and exceptional ability to connect with people have made her a favored speaker and consultant. Put simply, Neena is the people's champion, driving organizational success with her unwavering focus on empowerment and strategic insight.

Jennifer Lee is an experienced keynote speaker, engaging educator, and talented facilitator. Jennifer has over 15 years of learning and development experience with a robust background in luxury hospitality, human resources, and training. As the former Learning and Development Director at the AAA Five Diamond-rated Waldorf Astoria Chicago and the former Learning Manager at The Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Jennifer brings a rich perspective in leadership, management, service, hospitality and presentation skills training. When she’s not presenting, Jennifer can be found checking items off her bucket list, which still includes attending the Oscars at least once in her lifetime.

Katie has over 20 years of HR experience in leadership and consultative roles across various industries such as: municipal government, healthcare, and professional employer organizations. She excels in talent management, total rewards, performance management, and compliance. As a consultant, Katie tailors her recommendations to each client's culture, challenges, and goals, fostering strong relationships and sustainable HR strategies. She holds a Bachelor's in Finance, PHR certification, and has spoken at the Forbes School of Business Thought Leadership Summit, HR Florida, DisruptHR, and SHRM Jax, and has been featured on several HR podcasts.

Two themes are woven throughout Lauraine Bifulco's diverse career: a passion for a job well done and a zest for continual learning and improvement.  Lauraine infuses Vantaggio HR with these qualities every day. When she founded the firm in 1994, Lauraine combined her rare talent in understanding what a client needs and her gift of business foresight to create a company that can service the HR and management consulting needs of small and large companies equally well.  Today, Vantaggio serves clients across the country from their offices in California, Hawaii, Colorado, and New York. 

Her Career experience helps employers realize their HR goals and adapt to the shifting HR landscape.  Lauraine is a veteran HR executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of international, corporate, and consulting experience. Her bold career has taken her to employment and business opportunities in Europe and multiple U.S. cities. She serves as co-chair of the California Small Business Administration's committee on Labor Issues which reviews and makes recommendations on pending labor/employment laws, keeping her abreast of legal developments.                                                                            

Delivering over 30 presentations and webinars each year, Lauraine is a well-respected, and highly sought after guest lecturer and speaker on a variety of business management and HR-related topics for both state and national organizations including Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), American Payroll Association (APA), Next Concept HR Association (NCHRA), Paylocity annual Elevate Conference, and HR Star Conference to name a few. She has been invited to review, develop, and deliver certificate programs for SHRM, and has developed and delivered curriculum for businesses throughout the U.S.                                                                   

Lauraine received a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and conducted graduate level studies in linguistics at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Ash Beckham helps high-performing individuals and teams realize the freedom that comes from embracing their authentic selves so they can thrive both independently and collectively.  Ash is a bold, dynamic presenter who speaks about empathy, respect, and the power of having real conversations. Online videos of her TEDx talks "Coming Out of Your Closet" and "Owning Your Duality" and her Boulder Ignite speech "I am SO GAY" have gone viral with more than 15 million YouTube views. Ash reaches millions as her inspiring speeches are experienced in classrooms, boardrooms, and auditoriums worldwide.