Inclusion & Diversity

Global Speaker Sonia Aranza has presented on the international stage from Spain to Singapore.  She brings 27+ years of experience in Diversity, Inclusion & Global Leadership. Her clients include Boeing, CIA, McDonald’s and more. The U.S. Department of Labor describes her work as “Outstanding” and was selected to execute programs for landmark cases. SHRM featured her as a Diversity & Inclusion Expert in HR Magazine and she is a LinkedIn Top Voice in Leadership. She serves on the Faculty of Howard University’s Executive Diversity Program; named “100 Most Influential Filipina Americans in the United States” and honored “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World.”

Leading at the intersection of diversity, inclusion, and workplace culture, in her role as Executive Advisor and Diversity Strategist of Rework Work, Stacey Gordon coaches and counsels executive leaders on DEI strategies for the business. She has worked with people managers and executive leaders from companies such as American Express, ADP, Kia Motors, Hewlett Packard, Walmart, GE and many others to deliver education, coaching and consulting sessions that support their D&I efforts.

As a globally recognized keynote speaker, leadership consultant and DEI strategist, Stacey has provided subject matter expertise to Harvard Business Review, SHRM, Fast Company, Skillsoft, Forbes, NPR Radio, BBC Radio, and the Association for Talent Development.

Stacey’s book, UNBIAS: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work debuted at #1 on Amazon’s Hot New Release list, her unconscious bias course on the LinkedIn learning platform was the #1 most watched course of 2021 and has been translated into at least six languages. With more than 1 million unique learners across four courses, Stacey has been recognized as a passionate supporter of DEI by Forbes, Pepperdine University and LinkedIn. She earned her MBA from Pepperdine University Business School and her SHRM-SCP certification, as well as the SHRM Inclusive Workplace Culture Credential.

HuffPost calls Greg Schwem “Your boss’ favorite comedian.” Whether performing live or virtually, Greg has shown companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines and even the CIA the value of humor at work, particularly in a post-pandemic environment.  More than just a speaker, Greg is also a Chicago Tribune humor columnist, host of the streaming TV series, A Comedian Crashes Your Pad and author of the best-selling business book, The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar.

Shari Harley, author of How to Say Anything to Anyone, is known globally as an engaging, funny, content-rich business speaker. Her international training firm, Candid Culture, is making it easier to tell the truth at work. Shari is bringing candor back to the workplace. A former HR practitioner and operations leader, Shari’s practical approach has led her to speak and train in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Dubai and Australia. From “Making Meetings Work” and “Delegating Better” to “Managing Your Career” and “Saying Anything to Anyone,” Shari’s tips are sure to delight and inform in a real, direct and very funny way. Watch videos and learn more about Shari at www.candidculture.com.

Attorney James P. (“Jim”) Reidy is a management-side labor and employment lawyer. He is a partner in the New England based law firm, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, PA, where he is the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment group. His practice focuses on prevention, training and compliance but he also handles matters when claims arise.

He has more than 35 years of experience in the field and been a media resource on workplace law for media outlets including CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Business Magazine, Bloomberg, NPR, The Associated Press, NPR Market Place, Buzz Feed, Law 360, Inc. Magazine, The HR Power Hour, HR Breakroom, SKI Magazine and HR Magazine as well as several local/regional publications.

In 2020 Jim was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. 

Chambers USA and New England Super Lawyers have ranked Jim in the Top Tier of management-side employment lawyers for each year of the last 15 years. Best Lawyers USA named Jim the 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Law (Manchester, NH) and the NH Business Review named him one of the top 200 most influential business leaders in New Hampshire.

Jim has been a presenter regularly at SHRM’s Legal and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC as well as SHRM’s annual conferences.

Karen A. Young capitalizes on her more than 30 years of experience in human resources as she and her team utilize savvy strategies to develop solutions that produce real results. Karen believes that when the HR pieces fall into place, an organization begins to run like a well-oiled machine.

Karen inspires CEOs, CFOs, and other Accidental HR® managers to fulfill the organization’s mission while strengthening their workforce. She is committed to going the extra mile for clients, helping them build an HR framework that results in improved workplace culture and lower HR costs.

Karen is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and author. The second edition of her book, “Honest and Real: An Essential Guidebook for Drama-Free Human Resources,” debuted in 2020 as a Hot New Release in HR, Amazon’s largest business category.

Karen A. Young, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, has been recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business, and AGS ranked HR Resolutions as a Best HR Consulting Company in 2021. Central Penn Business Journal honored HR Resolutions in 2020 as a Game Changer—one of Central PA’s most dynamic and impactful businesses and leaders. She lends her HR expertise to businesses throughout Central PA via her leadership in the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC and the PA Chamber of Business and Industry. Karen regularly contributes HR insights and strategy nationwide to Forbes, USAToday, SHRM, and ZipRecruiter.

Karen resides in Harrisburg, PA, with her husband and retired racing greyhounds. She is an active member and leader in area business chambers and professional organizations.

Dr. David S Cohen, Ed. D. has a vision: organizations that thrive by living their values in good times and especially VUCA times. David's first career was in elementary and high school education, where he built a reputation for building school communities based on purpose and social responsibility. Thirty-three years ago, David transitioned to corporate consulting. As a consultant, David earned a reputation as a contrarian consultant because he does not always follow what is popular in his chosen field. David works with leaders helping them understand what is and what is not necessary to build an active and positive organization. He helps leaders' step into life's challenges, inspiring them to create a sustained approach through a values-based focus, resulting in better business results. David has had the privilege of partnering with firms across five continents and all business sectors. Additionally, he has worked with governments, from the local to the federal levels, and not-for-profits.

He has taught at Queens University School of Labour Relations and the executive education program at the Schulich School of Business, York University. Currently, he teaches organizational development at Durham College. David earned his doctorate from Boston University in Humanistic and Behavioural Studies. During that time, he also completed independent studies at the Harvard School of Education, where he was a teaching assistant.

David is a keynote speaker, educator, disruptor, facilitator, team builder, and executive coach. He has authored two books and numerous articles in professional journals.

• The Talent Edge: A Behavioral Approach to Hiring, Developing, and Keeping Top Performers (John Wiley and Sons, August 2001)
• Inside the Box: Leading With Corporate Values to Drive Sustained Business Success (Jossey-Bass September 2006)

When David is not travelling, he is hanging out with his five grandchildren, when possible, attending Toronto Raptor's games, or relaxing with family and friends.

David is honored to be recognized by the GlobalGurus30 as one of the top 30 GlobalGurus in Organizational Culture.

Alexander is a doctoral candidate at the George Washington University (GW) with research interests in servant and transformational leadership; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and organizational resilience. Alexander has spoken at various conferences and events, including for the Society of Human Resource Management, Institute of Management Accountants, Michael J. Fox Parkinson Foundation, IDEA User Conference, and local non-profits across the DC Metropolitan area.

A Human Resources scholar and senior certified professional, Alexander serves as the HR Business Partner for Inclusion & Belonging at HubSpot, a CRM platform developer. His role accelerates the company’s mission to create an environment where everyone can do their best work and thrive regardless of background. He supports HubSpot employees, especially employees from underrepresented groups, by listening, leading with empathy, and building solutions that ensure all of the company’s people, systems, and processes are working with the mission. Alexander has recently served as the lead HR advisor for departmental leadership and leads the human resources function for various divisions at GW. He was responsible for all HR activities for clients, such as leading workforce planning and organizational assessment, employee relations counseling and investigations, departmental policy development and implementation, training, recruiting and retention, diversity and inclusion, performance management, coaching, and employee recognition.  

Erika Sandoval (she/ella) is Partner with the Strategic Advisory Group at UKG and has spent 15 years in the areas of people and organizational practice, specifically in DEI, L&D, HR, organizational and professional development, and facilitation and consulting. Having lived and worked across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Erika has experience in leading and guiding strategic and cross-cultural initiatives that impact organizations and drive business success.

Erika is multilingual and holds various DEI and training certificates; she received an MSc in Human Rights Law from the University of Birmingham in the UK and has an MA and BA.

Erika Sandoval (she/ella) is Partner with the Strategic Advisory Group at UKG and has spent 15 years in the areas of people and organizational practice, specifically in DEI, L&D, HR, organizational and professional development, and facilitation and consulting. Having lived and worked across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Erika has experience in leading and guiding strategic and cross-cultural initiatives that impact organizations and drive business success.

Erika is multilingual and holds various DEI and training certificates; she received an MSc in Human Rights Law from the University of Birmingham in the UK and has an MA and BA.