ENX Mid-Market

Dr. Sherri Reese has over 20 years in human resources, investigations, and academia, evolving from regulatory roles in East Lansing to becoming the Director of Talent at Michigan State University and a professor at the University of Arkansas. Her career includes significant positions like Civil Rights Investigator, Human Resources Specialist, and Director of Talent, with a focus on policy compliance, career, and talent development. Sherri, who holds a PhD in Public Policy & Administration and Industrial & Organizational Psychology, is known for her expertise in contract negotiations, talent development, diversity, and executive coaching, aiming to enhance leadership and organizational effectiveness.

Ashley T. Brundage is the President and CEO of Empowering Differences. While seeking employment at PNC Bank in the United States, she identified openly during the interview process as a woman of transgender experiance and subsequently was hired after facing years of harassment, discrimination, and homelessness. These factors led her to start her second career as a means of survival while doing research on empowerment & differences. She took a role in the bank as a part time teller and then rose to national Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion in less than 5 years. She captured her research as a 4-Step process of empowerment to cultivate change in her new book and online leadership course. Ashley credits her success to those closest to her for providing actionable allyship including her 2 teenage sons, Bryce and Blake. She also volunteers her time serving numerous nonprofit organizations including serving as the vice chair for the national board of directors for GLAAD who works to accelerate acceptance across all forms of media for the LGBTQ+ community.

As the Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Jen improves the work experience for all employees through inclusive programs, policies, and behaviors. During her 9+ years at Lenovo, Jen has held several roles within HR. With over 20 years of experience in leadership and development, she has a deep understanding of how to create and deliver effective training programs that promote a more inclusive culture. Working women and mothers are especially important to Jen. She founded and co-chaired Lenovo’s new mother’s group for 3.5 years and is an active board member of Women in Lenovo Leadership (WILL). Jen has a MBA from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Outside of work Jen enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters. She loves yoga and hiking.

Dr. Whitehead, a certified SHRM and diversity practitioner is a versatile and award-winning senior leader, speaker, strategist, mediator, mentor and coach with over 25 years’ experience in building high performing, inclusive teams. Dr. Whitehead has excelled at "people" work across industries, leading strategic organizational change as well as providing consulting expertise to corporate, non-profit and higher education sectors. Dr. Whitehead has been called a “inclusionist” due to her unique approach to systemic humanity throughout the employee life cycle. Honing her lens of systemic humanity as the “willful interrogation of every element of our “system” of being, acting, communicating and providing access to resources that reflect the foundational belief that all people hold value that is solely connected to their humanity” has helped her “meet employees at all levels, where they are”. A John Maxwell certified coach and leader; Nicole holds several degrees and certifications, however her passion for utilizing her experiences to evolve culture and climate through transformative leadership.

George Rivera III serves as the Senior Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at the Society for Human Resource Management.  He is responsible for broadening the awareness of SHRM's mission to enhance workforce development by building and strengthening partnerships with some of the largest enterprise organizations across the globe.  In addition to helping bring to market the top ideas and innovations through outreach, representing all things workplace, workers, and work.     

George is a proven business development thought leader who places a deep emphasis on people, with more than 15 years of experience building and scaling highly productive, results-driven sales organizations.  Prior to joining SHRM George spent over a decade honing his expertise in HCM cloud technology, retirement, insurance, and other employee benefits, as well as HR services and PEO offerings as he led sales efforts of Paychex Inc., a top HR consulting organization.  In addition to business-growth responsibilities, George also led critical cross-functional company initiatives throughout much of the organization including Learning and Development, Marketing and Lead Generation, Finance, and Talent Acquisition, but the most rewarding experience, by far, was his service on the board for the annual United Way Campaign.  

George Rivera III recognizes that strong leaders build strong businesses and strong businesses build strong communities. George is firm believer in focusing on strategic growth for all partners.

When not at work, Rivera serves as Vice President for SHARE International a Non-Profit that aims to support the indigenous peoples of the Amazon in Peru. 

Shannon Bayer, JD, is a Principal Consultant with over a decade of consulting and facilitation experience. Shannon brings in-depth expertise and a passion for designing and implementing programs focused on advancing women in leadership—and empowering each leader with the knowledge they need to transform how they show up in their role and drive change in their organization. Shannon has led strategic engagements across a variety of industries, ranging from government to financial services, healthcare, insurance, and consumer products and goods. 

As a keynote speaker, Shannon brings stories from her personal leadership journey to the forefront, connecting her real-life experiences and work with leaders globally to key leadership concepts designed to help participants reflect on their own journey and take control of their path forward. 

Shannon holds a BS in animal science from the University of Vermont and a JD in international law from Suffolk University. 

Shannon was a rower in college and still loves to get on the water when she can. She enjoys spending time outdoors and will travel for a good hike or beach day with her dog and son, Max. Currently, Shannon resides in the greater Indianapolis, IN, area of the US after living in New England for over 25 years. 

Vince Caldwell, SHRM Partner Products and Programs Sr. Specialist has been with SHRM for over 25 years and serves as the primary contact for the SHRM Traveling Store Operation. He supports HR professionals with solutions and strategies that meet or exceed their needs, by recommending books, tools, and other software product solutions. He provides bookstore solutions to chapter and state conferences throughout the US. He has a passion for helping others succeed and become more than they thought they could be.  He is a graduate of “The College of New Jersey”.

Vince Caldwell, SHRM Partner Products and Programs Sr. Specialist has been with SHRM for over 25 years and serves as the primary contact for the SHRM Traveling Store Operation. He supports HR professionals with solutions and strategies that meet or exceed their needs, by recommending books, tools, and other software product solutions. He provides bookstore solutions to chapter and state conferences throughout the US. He has a passion for helping others succeed and become more than they thought they could be.  He is a graduate of “The College of New Jersey”.

Vince Caldwell, SHRM Partner Products and Programs Sr. Specialist has been with SHRM for over 25 years and serves as the primary contact for the SHRM Traveling Store Operation. He supports HR professionals with solutions and strategies that meet or exceed their needs, by recommending books, tools, and other software product solutions. He provides bookstore solutions to chapter and state conferences throughout the US. He has a passion for helping others succeed and become more than they thought they could be.  He is a graduate of “The College of New Jersey”.

Eric Cutler is one of the original founders of TOOTRiS, the first and only Child Care technology platform built for business, that is revolutionizing the Child Care space. Eric helped launch the company so that all parents – especially women – have the same opportunities for career advancement and so that every child, regardless of family income or zip code, has access to quality Child Care. A Columbia Business School graduate and frequent speaker to national organizations, Eric passionately believes that solving the Child Care crisis is the key to enabling every human to live more meaningful, abundant, and equitable lives.