Aaliyah is a Talent Specialist and high-volume recruiter with six years of experience navigating complex hiring environments across a range of industries. As a seasoned recruiter, she has successfully sourced, interviewed, and placed candidates in fast-paced, high-demand settings. She brings strong communication and relationship-building skills that enable her to collaborate effectively with hiring managers and build high-performing teams.

Aaliyah is especially passionate about addressing the growing skills gap in today's workforce. She focuses on identifying transferable skills, developing talent pipelines, and connecting individuals with opportunities that align with both their capabilities and long-term career growth. By partnering closely with organizations, she helps ensure that hiring strategies not only meet immediate needs but also support sustainable workforce development. She thrives in dynamic environments where she can align talent with business goals and create meaningful pathways for candidates to succeed.

Aaliyah is currently completing her Associate of Arts in Communications at Thomas Edison State University.

Alison is a very high energy professional with a focus in Talent Acquisition and Human Resources, bringing a decade of experience in industrial, manufacturing, education, non-profit, banking and insurance. She is deeply experienced in full cycle recruitment, executing passive searches utilizing creative sourcing strategies for hard-to-fill positions to drive a successful delivery of talent into recruiting pipelines. She also has a strong track record in training new hires in recruitment practices and is committed to providing excellent client service with positive results.

Among her core competencies are full lifecycle recruitment, recruitment training, developing strategies for hard-to-fill sourcing, client relations, applicant tracking system expertise, reporting and analysis, along with human resources policy and procedure development.

Alison has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Rowan University and is deeply invested in community relations in Southern New Jersey, bringing a strong array of interpersonal communications skills to leadership positions in volunteer roles throughout the region.

Alison has over 15 years of experience serving in a range of human resources and people-oriented positions. She is well-versed in navigating complex employee and organizational matters across various industries. Her current role as Chief People Officer with Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP allows her to continue her passion for nurturing and enhancing the team member experience, helping team members realize their full potential in a career that is fulfilling and rewarding. Utilizing past experiences, she creates atmospheres that are productive, engaging, and enjoyable for the talented individuals as a top priority. In addition, she helps guide and advise team members along individual career paths that balance professional success with a sustainable work/life balance.

Alison’s passion for supporting people extends beyond her role at Gray, Gray & Gray. She participates annually in the PanMass Challenge and serves as a Board Member for Food for Free, a non-profit organization that works to fight hunger in the Eastern MA community.

Her love of networking and building community brought her to being a Networking Leader for Whine & Dine in the Boston area. In her free time, she likes to golf, ski, workout, bake, cycle and spend time with her son and dog. Her photo was provided by David Shopper Photography.

Alison earned her Master of Business Administration in Leadership and Organizational Transformation from Boston University - School of Management. Prior to that, she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Boston University.

Alyssa is a purpose-driven Talent Management & Development Executive with 15 years of experience architecting future-ready organizations where people thrive, leaders rise, and business transforms. At the intersection of strategy, culture, and capability, she builds agile talent and learning ecosystems that fuel performance, innovation, and growth.

Her expertise spans global enterprises and fast-paced, complex environments—where she has led high-impact, enterprise-wide initiatives across leadership development, succession planning, learning, and performance enablement. From building scalable leadership pipelines to activating inclusive, high-performing cultures, she turns talent into a strategic lever that drives real business outcomes.

She leads with curiosity, clarity, and bold vision, connecting dots across people, performance, and purpose—mobilizing talent strategies that accelerate transformation and unlock the full potential of the workforce. Whether scaling leadership programs globally or redesigning performance systems, she brings energy, expertise and executive presence to elevate talent as a competitive advantage.

Her areas of expertise include People Leadership, Talent Management Strategy, Leadership Development, Succession Planning and Management, Enterprise Learning & Development Organizational Effectiveness, Culture Transformation, Performance Enablement, Change Leadership, Executive Coaching, Workforce Planning, Digital Learning & AI in Learning & Development, Instructional Design & Facilitation Skills, Human Resources, Team Building & Effectiveness, Program Management, Employee Engagement & Experience and Project Management.

Alyssa has her Masters Degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Supervision and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rider University. She has a Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Technology from New York University and a Master Track Certificate for Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as her Certificate in Managing Talent from the University of Michigan.

Andrew brands himself as Human Resources Business Partner | Author of "The Team That Loves Mondays" | Team Transformation Expert | Curator of the HR.Salon Community | Host of the HR.Salon Podcast.

Andrew works as an independent Human Resources Consultant to help growing companies retain their high performers when they start to slide by encouraging managers to get to the bottom of it performance issues. He believes and teaches that coaching is far more impactful for company success than disciplinary action.

Using accountable intervention, he teaches better avenues to retaining employees, reducing turnover and boosting productivity. Using research-backed insights from the University of Rochester, his Performance Enhancing Vitamins framework gives managers and employees a common language to use when discussing what drives people to do their best work.

Andrew earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University at Buffalo soon after being awarded his Associate of Science in Business Administration and Management from Finger Lakes Community College.

Annemarie is a PROSCI certified change practitioner, dedicated to leading large-scale, high-impact Future of Work initiatives to create positive employee experiences and transform workplaces and workforces. She begins every new change initiative by conducting detailed data analysis to understand what is changing, who is impacted and clarify the business “why” for the change and then map out potential change resistors.

Collaborating with cross-functional leaders is her super power, giving her the critical success factor for change strategy and roadmap in order to ensure faster employee adoption and long-term sustainable change to realize change benefits and return on investment. She has consulted with clients in the financial services, insurance, energy, pharmaceutical, life sciences and non-profit industries. She is a subject matter expert in using the ADKAR change methodology to provide a structured framework to facilitate navigating the organization through the change curve so the transformation's goals and impact are met. She employs specific tools for change effectiveness that include change readiness surveys, structured stakeholder engagements, detailed communication and training plans, activating change networks, risk assessments and reporting for accountability and transparency.

Her digital change tools include SharePoint, MS Teams platform, digital collaboration software, customized survey tool, project management software, Mentimeter and MIRO.

Annemarie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and also was awarded a certificate in Designing the Future of Work from the University of New South Wales. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, including the dog and cat! She loves to spend time in nature and can be seen many Saturday mornings at a local farmers market.

Asi is a results-driven Human Resource Leader and Talent/Business Partner with experience in all aspects of Human Capital Management and Operations. He has excellent analytical, consultation, collaboration, and project management skills. His multi-industry global experience includes Banking/Financial Services, Information Technology and Services, Aerospace, Industrial Automation, Events Services, Manufacturing, and CPG. He is proudly a former active duty commanding officer with outstanding military service.

Asi has his Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Consulting and was awarded a BSC Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southern Connecticut State University. He has the long-standing certification of Senior Professional in Human Resources through HRCI, as well as carrying the SHRM - Senior Certified Professional certification.

Barry became an official Whine & Dine networking leader in 2025. He has over thirty years of Human Resources experience, supporting professional services organizations in the FinTech, Pharmaceutical, Consulting, Procurement, and TIC (Testing, Inspection, Certification) sectors for both small companies and global organizations in leadership roles for InvestCloud, VCLS, GEP, TayganPoint, Intertek, and Quantitative Technologies Inc.

He graduated from Rider University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and Management. He also completed the Dale Carnegie Skills for Success Course and Gettysburg Leadership Journey at the Lincoln Leadership Institute.

Within the community, Barry is an active volunteer leader for the SHRM CNJ chapter (Somerset/Middlesex) and GSC SHRM Annual Conference Planning Committee, and served on the Advisory Board for Students 2 Science (S2S). You can also find him at many HR networking events, including Whine & Dine and DisruptHR. Barry supports various charitable organizations, including World Central Kitchen, The V Foundation, Canary Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, The Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2) and MillHill Child & Family Development Center. His StrengthsFinder Top 5 Signature Themes are Achiever, Adaptability, Analytical, Learner and Maximizer.

Branding herself as Community Builder • Animal Lover • Volunteer Devotee • Strategic Human Resources Business Partner, Beth is an accomplished and visionary Human Resources Business Partner with a decade of experience in spearheading transformative HR strategies and fostering compelling workplace cultures. She is distinguished for aligning human capital initiatives with core business imperatives, thereby catalyzing organizational growth and operational excellence. Adept at orchestrating talent acquisition, employee engagement, and leadership development programs that have consistently elevated workforce competencies and driven enterprise success.

Beth is renowned for a sophisticated approach to navigating complex employee relations, championing diversity and inclusion, and ensuring rigorous adherence to legal and ethical standards. As an exceptional communicator and influencer, with a talent for forging robust relationships with key stakeholders, negotiating effectively, she leads cross-functional teams towards achieving ambitious HR milestones. She is deeply committed to leveraging a wealth of HR acumen to cultivate a dynamic and resilient workforce that propels the organization to the forefront of its industry.

"...find what you love...Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle." --Steve Jobs

Outside of business hours, Beth can often be found with her dog in Piedmont Park, on a beach, hiking north Georgia, travelling, watching sports, and/or munching on some yummy foods, especially dessert!

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management at North Carolina State University, with a concentration in Human Resource Management and a minor in Spanish. She was a Textron Scholarship Recipient and was on the Dean’s List. She also had the privilege of studying abroad in Seville, Spain.

Bethany is widely viewed as a modern Human Resources Consultant for small business and PE-backed firms. She has demonstrated expertise in achieving compliance, building positive cultures and guiding organizations in reaching their year-over-year goals.

She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Common Threads Modernized HR Consulting where she utilizes her expertise to help companies turn human resources into a true growth lever. She works with small and mid-sized portfolio companies to professionalize people operations while building scalable systems that improve performance and return on investment.

Bethany has over a decade of experience in leading Human Resources across fast-paced, multi-state environments, propelling her to guide leaders through organizational change, build compensation frameworks, develop policies and enhance existing HCM systems for efficiency. She has also run RFPs for new tech platforms and introduced innovation and practical AI tools that reduce administrative workload, improve data accuracy and optimize decision-making.

Bethany believes in modern, authentic, efficient HR that saves money, reduces risk and creates clarity across an organization. Whether stabilizing a newly-acquired portfolio company or supporting a growing business by building its HR foundation, she brings structure, empathy and a steady presence to empower teams to scale with confidence.

Bethany earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Linfield University. She also is a certified Behavior-PPA (DISC) Practitioner.

Cat brands herself as Learning & Talent Development Manager | Employee Experience Strategist | Leadership Growth | Talent Strategy. She is drawn to rapidly changing people-first organizations in transition, whether they're scaling rapidly, redefining their culture, or navigating change, and are committed to serving and impacting global and local communities.

As a Learning & Talent Development professional, she specializes in creating engaging employee experiences that enhance leadership impact and talent retention. "The Challenge I Solve", as she puts it, is that many organizations struggle to upskill employees during transitions, and leaders often lack the tools to support their teams, engage talent, and drive results. She makes bottom-line impact by using innovative learning strategies, AI-driven insights, and scalable talent solutions to help businesses close skill gaps, build future-ready leaders and create environments where employees feel valued and empowered.

Cat's work has: ✔ Increased internal promotions by over 60% through leadership development programs ✔ Achieved 90% participation in DEIB initiatives, fostering inclusion and belonging and increasing company engagement scores ✔ Optimized learning platforms, increasing engagement by 40% with AI-driven solutions I believe that when people grow in prosperous environments, businesses thrive.

Cat earned her CIPD in Human Resources Management from ICS Learn after being awarded her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Theater with Music from Liverpool Hope University. She has been trained as a Certified Coach by the Universal Coach Institute and is an Insights Discovery Practitioner, while also being certified in The Predictive Index.

Branded as Talent Acquisition & HRBP | People-Centered | Organizational Psychologist | Chief Happiness Officer, Chelsea uses her Master of Science in Business Psychology and a career spanning the United States, Mozambique and Portugal to share a global perspective to human capital strategy. Her journey, from launching an agribusiness startup to representing Mozambique at the SADC Youth Parliament, has shaped her into a purpose-driven Human Resources professional who thrives at the intersection of people, performance and impact.

As a people-driven professional and TA Professional, transitioning into an HR Business Partner (HRBP) role. she has built a strong foundation across mining, insurance, and consulting sectors, leading initiatives in recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing. She is passionate about aligning HR with business goals, using data to drive decisions, and cultivating inclusive cultures.

She is proud of how assessments describe her professional DNA, including Myers-Briggs: ENTJ (Visionary strategist with a bias for action), StrengthsFinder: Deliverer, Coach, Self-Believer, Catalyst and Storyteller, Interact: Owl (Analytical, wise, and values clarity) and VIA Character Strengths: Courage, Humanity, Transcendence (humor) and Wisdom.

Chelsea has her Master of Science in Business Psychology from the University of East London and her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Psychology from the University of Eduardo Mondlane. She has completed the Leadership and Social Innovation Program for Business & Economics at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics. She also completed the Leadership and Empowerment Program in Leadership and Social Innovation at Girl MOVE Academy.

Cheryl is a seasoned Human Resources / Organizational Design professional with significant experience both as an internal and external consultant. She has a track record of success in talent assessment, leadership development, employee engagement, organizational surveys and change programs for organizations ranging from non-for-profits to Fortune 50.

She has an excellent brand in Succession Planning & Talent Retention | Skills Strategy | Upskilling | Reskilling | Talent Assessment | Executive Coaching | Leadership Development – Design and Delivery | Training Design & Delivery | Employee Engagement | Performance Management | Leader Assimilation | Survey Design, Analysis and Action Planning | Leadership Team Facilitation and Strategy-Setting | Career-Pathing | Competency Development | Workday Talent and Performance.

She has also shared her amazing networking skills in leadership for the various Whine & Dine chapters in Connecticut and White Plains NY.

After completing her Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at New York University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Yale University, she was awarded her Doctoral of Philosophy PhD (minor in Multivariate Statistics) at New York University.

Christine Friello-Fini is an organization development practitioner with combined skills and consultative experience in organizational psychology, adult learning theory and strategy, curriculum design and training facilitation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership. She has over 30 years of experience leading complicated workplace change efforts for highly matrixed global organizations, including their supporting leadership and learning and development programs.

Using a people and person-centered approach to designing experiential learning programs, Christine aims to improve group dynamics and harmony while strengthening individual performance, mindfulness and well-being, employee engagement, and talent retention. She has strong curriculum design skills, and her workshops help people learn and bond, using strategies that enhance communication between people, groups and teams. Her strength as an empathic, purpose-driven leader helps others embrace ambiguity and constant change while recognizing the systemic forces that affect behavior, mindset, human potential, and personal development.

Christine applies her passion for organizational development to support business leaders in creating compelling learning and development programs that align with enterprise-wide goals and provide relevant, timely, high-impact social solutions supporting clients current and future needs. This work is grounded in a holistic approach to learning, personal development, and growth that empowers people to embrace change and strengthens their capacity for innovation.

Christine is an active board member for two nonprofit organizations and is deeply involved with both organizations strategic planning, leadership, and learning and development needs. For ARTZ Philadelphia, she actively works to enhance the dignity, quality of life, and well-being of people living with dementia and their care partners through joyful interactions around arts and culture, including her "Artful Resilience" program, a creativity retreat for employee care partners. For the Green Flag Committee for Children's Charities, in Cumberland County, she is committed to enhancing South Jersey's overall quality of life through volunteerism and charitable activities focused on youth wellbeing, resilience, and professional success.

Christine earned her Masters degree in Organizational Psychology and Change Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University and her Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute. She is a New York State licensed architect, certified interior designer, and a specialist in the psychology of the built, remote, and hybrid workplace environment and its effect on human behavior and performance. Christine is certified in Human Synergistics International's Life Styles Inventory™ (LSI) Assessment.

Christine is well known as a human capability and operations strategist, as well as an innovative and collaborative team partner who delivers creative and effective human capital solutions to scale organizations.

She has over a decade of experience in leading and transforming work cultures in Research and Development, Technology, Manufacturing, Risk, Safety, Security and Non-Profit sectors. Passionate about building inspiring and inclusive work environments, she motivates and empowers employees to innovate while continuously learning. She has strong expertise in benefits, compliance, organizational effectiveness, workshop facilitation and organizational design. She has unique skills developing talent acquisition strategies and structures for clients seeking neurodiverse backgrounds who have highly specialized skills, especially in high-turnover roles.

Christine has her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Dayton and she completed her Paralegal studies at New York University. She holds the SPHR certification, as well as ODC. She was a 2019 Human Resources Executive of the Year Finalist and is an Organizational Visionary Award winner.

Cicely has worked in Human Resources for 20 years. Having worked in Pharmaceutical, Bio-Tech, Publishing, Telecommunications, Professional Services, Insurance, and Artificial Intelligence Tech, these varied industries have allowed her to excel with client groups as diverse and culturally different as the human race. Strengths possessed by Cicely afford her the opportunity to excel in Employee Relations, Employee and Organizational Development and Change, Recruiting, Benefits, and Training. She is currently Director, Global Employee Relations for an Agentic A.I. Tech firm.

Cicely received her Masters degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and has parlayed that education for use in the enhancement of organizational optimism. She is proudly certified as SHRM - Senior Certified Professional.

She is actively involved in several volunteer organizations including Whine & Dine Networking and continues her unending study of Love Languages, specifically Spanish.

Craig is a senior-level and highly experienced Human Resources practitioner, most often in the role as Human Resources Director and Business Partner that encompasses a spectrum of HR functions, from talent management, employee engagement and performance to compliance and strategic advising. He has strong experience within policy development, mentoring, and supporting business growth through effective HR change management.

With a robust background in employee relations and HR compliance, he develops an environment that fosters positive interactions and aligns with strategic business objectives while navigating the complexities of HR governance as a servant leader, ensuring the organization remains an Employer of Choice.

He is a subject matter expert in Strategic and Operational | Leadership | Coaching and Development | Compliance | Performance Management.

Craig earned his Masters of Science in Counseling and Human Resources Management from the University of Bridgeport after attaining his Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology at Franklin & Marshall College.

Dan is a Senior Human Resources professional with over 30 years of domestic and international experience in union and non-union manufacturing, as well as sales, marketing and information technology organizations. Additional work experience includes several years in Corporate, Hospital and Industrial security as well as supporting clientele in the financial investment industry.

He attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers College, a Masters in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Montclair State University and studied Homeland Security at Long Island University. He has long-standing certifications as Professional In Human Resources (PHR) certification thru HRCI and SHRM Professional certification (SHRM-CP).

Dan has been a member of National SHRM and the Central NJ Chapter of SHRM since 1985 and has served as Vice-President and as President of the Central NJ SHRM Chapter. He has led facilitation of the Bridgewater NJ Chapter of Whine & Dine Networking for several years.

With over five years as Human Resources Manager at Cenveo Worldwide Limited, Dennis supports multiple envelope manufacturing facilities (Jersey City, NJ & Chicopee, MA) by guiding HR policy interpretation, collective bargaining agreements and compliance initiatives. His focus includes recruiting qualified talent, ensuring adherence to EEO/AA and ADA standards and managing compensation and benefits programs in alignment with organizational goals.

His organizational mission is to enable operational success by fostering positive employee relations, employee engagement and providing comprehensive HR support. Leveraging more than two decades of high-level business partner experience and his SHRM-SCP and SPHR certifications, he contributes to workforce development strategies while representing the organization in personnel-related hearings and investigations.

Dennis earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Dezirae is a future-focused Human Resources Leader who has enjoyed a very successful human capital career spanning more than a decade.

After starting her career in payroll and finance, mostly in the government sector, she transitioned into HR in the private sector corporate world where she has a demonstrated expertise in HR tech, talent acquisition, employee relations and performance management, while honing her knowledge in total rewards, benefits and compensation.

Dezirae earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kent State University and carries the designation PHR from the Human Resources Certification Instititute.

Donna is known as a Senior Director in Human Resources with subject matter expertise in enterprise HR strategy, organizational design, workforce governance and talent and succession architecture.

She brings two decades of executive leadership in people strategies in her portfolio of experiences. Within that experience, she has global logistics enterprise experience, along with overseeing high-level executive advisory and partnerships, employee relations, talent acquisition, succession planning, HR technology, lifecycle digitization, leadership development, cultural integration, employee well-being and health initiatives.

Donna holds her Bachelor of Science in Business and Human Resources Management from Adelphi University. She is also certified PHR and SHRM-CP.

Branded as a Bilingual Talent Acquisition Director and Executive, Eric is a passionate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advocate. He is a highly qualified LinkedIn Presenter and Coach with extensive experience as a recruiting process optimizer. He is Workday Recruiting certified and is a #GenAI enthusiast.

He is a highly experienced Talent Acquisition practitioner at the director level and is also an extraordinary networker and people connector with more than a decade of media/entertainment industry experience. With proven years of experience in staffing/recruitment fields and DEI, he has worked in corporate and agency environments, focusing on a broad spectrum of management and technology placements. He has a strong grasp of generative AI concepts and prompt engineering methodologies to effectively leverage cutting-edge technologies.

Previously, as Director of Talent Acquisition at Warner Music Group, he managed corporate recruitment, operations, talent branding, and US-focused strategies, supervising the student internship program team, all while being a key stakeholder for Workday Recruit. He was the founder and co-chair of the Hispanic/Latin ERG, while also serving as an advisory board member for their emerging talent program and HBCU students.

An established LinkedIn power user and presenter, he trains and coaches people on how to optimize their social media presence and digital branding. He has been frequently invited as a guest speaker and panelist at events and organizations that promote personal and career growth, such as Columbia University, Penn State University, Red Shoe Movement, Proud to be Latina, Junior Achievement, SCIP, Google Innovation Lab, SHPE, to name some of the organizations.

He specializes in Talent Acquisition Leader / Manager/Director, Corporate / Social Recruiting, Executive / Diversity Recruiter, Internet / Social Media Sourcing, Vendor Management, Pipeline Development, Requirements Gathering, Internship Programs, Workday Recruit / Cornerstone / Taleo / iCIMS / BrassRing, ATS Implementation and Administration, HRIS, Panelist/Presenter, Technical/Behavioral Interviewing, Relocation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Project Management, Employee Retention, Performance Management, Employer Branding, Sourcing Plan Development, Compensation, Immigration Law, Account Management, Organizational Development and OFCCP.

Eric earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Wollongong.

Eveline is an engaging, experienced and sought-after leadership educator who inspires HR professionals and organization leaders to excellence. With over two decades of dynamic leadership in Human Resources across diverse industries, she brings a unique blend of academic excellence and practical insight to your organization's training goals.

As a seasoned HR Certification instructor at Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education, she has custom-designed and delivered cutting-edge, best practices HR and leadership training programs that drive organizational success. With a Master's in HR Management from Thomas Edison State University, dual SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications and her current doctoral degree work, she merges academic rigor with practical wisdom to deliver exceptional learning experiences.

Her expertise spans Strategic Human Resources Leadership, Workforce Planning & Talent Management, Leadership & Organizational Development, Performance Management, Legal Compliance (FMLA, ADA, Title VII), Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Workplace Culture Building. Her passion lies in transforming HR professionals and organizational leaders into strategic business contributors.

As a sought-after speaker and facilitator, she has energized HR conferences and audiences nationally with topics like Generational Leadership, Work-Life Integration, and Strategic HR. She serves on numerous HR Advisory Boards and is a member of SHRM and National Speakers Association with specialties in Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, Employment Law, Performance Management, and Organizational Development.

Eveline earned her Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Thomas Edison State University and holds dual HR certifications: SHRM-SCP and SPHR.

Frank has proven success in transforming and leading global talent technology team, roadmap and functions in large scale, complex, Big 4 consulting environments. He has demonstrated a global mindset focused on solutions to enable best in class talent processes to put people first. He is the go-to subject matter expert at developing and executing innovative recruitment solutions and processes that drive high performance cultures; including career websites, international mobility solutions, online job boards, social media, data analytics, SaaS / Cloud and hosted solutions.

He is highly proficient at identifying problems and accelerating strategic measures that positively impact productivity and bottom-line results through human capital initiatives. With over two decades of directly relevant experience, he is extremely adept at partnering with cross-functional leaders to ensure synergy in all talent life-cycle activities. He frequently serves as speaker, panelist and presenter at key industry conferences and partner events.

Frank possesses high levels of intellect and executive presence with a track record of building high performing teams that support business objectives with immediate impact on organizational results.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Wentworth Institute of Technology after completing his Associate of Science in Computer Science Systems at the same institution.

Grace brands herself as a people-first human resources leader who fosters engagement, inclusion and growth through impactful human capital strategies. She has enjoyed a 15 year career as a Human Capital Business Partner.

She is a driven, results oriented practitioner whose strength is in coaching and counseling, employee relations, recruitment, training, payroll and benefits. Known for building strong relationships based on integrity, trust and forward-thinking strategy, Grace fosters a high-performance work environment.

She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the County College of Morris, teaching in the Human Resources Certification Program. Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University and carries the dual SHRM-CP and PHR certifications.

Jana is a trilingual Human Resources executive with 25+ years of experience across North and Latin America, including five years living and working in the United States, serving as strategic HR partner and culture leader, supporting organizations through transformation, operational challenges and leadership growth. She has led HR through plant turnarounds, cultural shifts, rapid expansion, and the essential work of rebuilding trust. She brands herself as "Human Resources Director | Employee Relations/ Diversity and Inclusion for HR - Cornell UniversityInsights® Discovery Certified/ Employee Relations/ Certified Executive Coach". From shop floors to executive boardrooms, she helps leaders create clarity, strengthen capability, and build cultures where people perform at their best.

As a certified executive coach, she brings expertise in psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and emotional intelligence — always focused on unlocking talent, elevating performance, and aligning people strategies with business goals. Her specialties include Strategic HR Leadership & Change Management, Talent Acquisition, Development & Succession Planning, Employee Relations & Compliance, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB), Labor Relations, Union Negotiations, People Analytics (KPIs, HRIS, Power BI), Executive Coaching & Mentoring, as well as Multilingual Communication & Cross-Cultural Management. She is a Certified Executive Coach with formal training in Psychological Safety, Situational Leadership, and Inclusive HR practices, serving as a trusted partner to senior leaders navigating global workforce dynamics and organizational growth.

Jana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Universidade Paulista. She is also certified in Inclusion and Diversity for HR from Cornell University.

Janine is a Strategic Talent Advisor, Culture Champion & Change Agent, Workforce Strategy Architect and is well known as a Tech Ninja in Heels, putting together more than two decades of high-level Human Resources executive leadership.

She is known as a dynamic and results-driven Human Resources Executive, specializing in organizational development, succession planning and enterprise-wide learning initiatives that accelerate workforce capabilities and drive measurable business outcomes. She is regarded as an expert in designing and implementing scalable talent systems, optimizing performance management frameworks and fostering leadership readiness across all levels. Julie is recognized for cultivating high-performing and engaged teams, aligning talent strategy with business objectives, delivering innovative solutions and leveraging technology to create future-ready people practices.

Janine earned her Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from Kent State University. Previous to that, she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (French) from Slippery Rock University.

Jason has been a successful Human Resources executive for more than two decades. He excels at motivating teams, building consensus and fostering a culture of honest and open communication. These are the tenets that have defined his professional life. With a nuanced understanding of human behavior and a high degree of emotional intelligence, it is his mission to lead by example and to champion team performance and success. Adept at transforming ideas into actionable programs and breaking down complex concepts into easily understandable parts, he is known for being an agent of change and an executive who gets things done.

Some of the key highlights of Jason's career include:• Saving $180K in insurance premiums for ShypDirect through an intelligent business acumen and negotiation efforts for new benefits solutions.• Establishing an average teacher retention of more than 6 years at Little Learner Academy with the creation of tangible appreciation programs.• Reducing payroll systems cost by 40% at SportsMed by negotiating with a new vendor and transforming manual input processes into automated platforms to service 200+ employees.

He is branded throughout the HR community as a subject matter expert in Employee Engagement & Satisfaction, Benefits & Payroll Administration, Employee Relations Intelligence, Full-Cycle Talent Acquisition, Operations & Efficiencies, Regulatory Compliance, as well as Financial Partnerships.

Jason has a Master of Business Administration in Human Resources Management / Personnel Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marist College. He proves his loyalty through his unwavering commitment to his favorite football team, the New York Jets, and is an avid college football fan.

Jen is a passionate, experience-driven Human Resources Generalist who specializes in operations, employee relations, compliance and systems data. She drives operational excellence and positive employee experiences through business partner relationships with senior leadership and by perfecting the art of listening as a skill.

For Jen, people and process are at the heart of everything she does. From her perspective, human resources operations are where people and process intersect. Utilizing over a dozen years of experience across the entire spectrum of employee lifecycle management, compliance and data tracking, she brings her passion for operational efficiency to ensure a totally seamless employee experience. She is known as a trusted resource and her accuracy and sound judgment on sensitive matters are superb. Curious by nature, detail-oriented by habit, and always seeking to drive people-first HR practices, she excels at making the workplace and employment practices better every single day.

Jen holds a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from the University of Connecticut.

Jennifer is a Fractional Talent Acquisition Leader & Career Coach who designs better hiring, better workplaces and better careers. She has more than a decade of experience in talent acquisition, staffing and recruitment as an functional leader and individual contributor.

She has earned her Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English Education from the University of Maine, as well as her Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the same university.

Jessica is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at the Director level with strong experience approaching human capital management from the consulting perspective. She brings significant experience in location management and finance from prior to being in HR.

She has multi-industry experience and specializes in building healthy company cultures, promoting employee engagement and mitigating risk. Her expertise ranges from employee relations, talent acquisition, payroll and HRIS data integrity, compliance reporting, onboarding, training and development, safety, continuous improvement and employee recognition.

Jessica earned her Master of Business Administration in Human Resources from Walsh College after attaining her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management from Albion College.

Joanne brands herself as a Senior Human Resources practitioner with a laser focus on communication, relationship building, compliance, training, policy and employee experience. Her background is primarily in distribution, manufacturing and retail.

She acts as a highly effective problem solver and mentor, providing subject matter expertise in policy and compliance, employment law, affirmative action, immigration and global mobility. She is a champion of diversity and inclusion and has previously managed the Human Rights Campaign Survey. She has a fierce dedication and passion for equality and LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

Joanne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Dowling College.

Joanne is a highly sought after and effective Human Resources Business Partner who successfully establishes and redesigns small, hands-on HR teams in plant-based manufacturing sites. She has proven success in developing policies and programs that support the strategy of the local management team, while ensuring alignment with corporate goals. She has an outstanding diversified background in consumer products, pharmaceutical, engineering, and higher education.

As a trusted member of senior staff who effectively designs and implements plant start-ups, strategic reorganizations and staffing plans to meet business objectives, she consistently develops programs to increase employee satisfaction, performance and retention. Her extremely thorough understanding of the market pressures on management give her the tools and experience to improve customer service, systems, employee performance and productivity, and allow her to identify and implement HR action plans as needed to meet those challenges. She is a highly personable communicator at ease with all levels of the organization and accountable as a team leader or team member.

Joanne earned her Master of Science in Human Resources Management, Management and Labor Relations from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Jody is well known to help leaders build trust, grow engagement and develop talent that drives high performance. She brands herself as a subject matter expert in leadership development, change management, feedback and coaching, training, organizational development, communications and culture.

She is a value-driven organizational development consultant whose expertise is in unlocking employee potential through innovative and strategic leadership. She designs and delivers global programs that strengthen capability, elevate performance and foster thriving cultures. She has demonstrated expertise in employee engagement, leadership development, program design and management, change management and culture building.

Jody has earned her Master of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University. Prior to that, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hamilton College. She is also certified LCCP.

Her mottos: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right!

Ask her to tell you the story... 'It all started one hot summer day on the kibbutz in Israel'!

Joe is an extraordinarily reliable and empathetic leader, known to be a trusted business partner and challenge seeker with 20+ years of progressive experience directing Human Resources operations, streamlining processes, sourcing great talent, and improving staff engagement, performance, and satisfaction in diverse, ever-changing industries.

He brands himself as a subject matter expert in HRIS, Employee Relations, Recruiting, Payroll and FMLA. He has worked predominantly in the fields of education, senior living, consulting, electronics, global information technology and chemical manufacturing.

Joe earned his Master of Science in Organizational Management & Human Resources from Manhattanville University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Iona University.

Joyce is a very high-energy, dynamic facilitation consultant as well as faculty member at top-tier learning solutions organizations. She delivers a broad range of professional and leadership development programs globally (instructor- and virtual-led) with a demonstrated capacity for quickly building rapport and credibility. She is highly effective, positively impacting training outcomes, and she has a strong business background developed in Fortune 500 organizations.

Her professional and leadership development topic expertise includes Coaching and developing talent, Emerging Leader Programs, Emotional intelligence, Communication styles (including DiSC), Presentation skills, Change management and resilience, Performance and development planning, Influencing others.

She brands herself as Learning Consultant | Master Facilitator: "Leaders call on me when they have a great training program but are too swamped to deliver it."

Joyce earned her Master of Science in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Rutgers University and also earned her Bachelor of Science in Humanities / Social Sciences at Drexel University.

As a recovering attorney with over 20 years of experience in labor and employment litigation, Julie is now a public speaker, trainer, entrepreneur and podcast host. Through Monarch Endeavors, Julie specializes in Human Resources consulting and training with the goal of helping employers avoid those Oh, Sh!t moments and stay out of court. For the past four years, Julie has also co-hosted the podcast, Whine with HR - where she and Trisha think about - and drink about - all things HR.

After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Public Service from Albion College, Julie would then earn her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. She would more recently add a business certification from Goldman Sachs.

Julie's personal motto is Alis volat propriis, which is Latin for she flies with her own wings. And even though she may not have realized it in her younger days, that is exactly what she has done her whole life. Julie has never quite fit into any mold and now embraces every new transformation.

Discipline plus resilience with a lifelong learning impulse are her trademark traits, established early from growing up low-income, training professionally in ballet, and becoming financially independent at 14. Those experiences taught her to perform under pressure, adapt quickly, and move forward with focus and drive, qualities that shape how she leads today.

Over the past 20 years, she has guided technology-driven organizations through growth, transformation, and market uncertainty. She has scaled Human Resources and People functions 5x in size, led global expansion efforts, and introduced AI-enabled HR solutions that increase performance and efficiency while protecting culture. She has also been academically published in leadership research, while her industry expertise spans talent strategy, organizational design, and executive leadership through change in fast-moving technology and venture-backed environments.

Currently, she serves as Chief People Officer & Interim Chief Operating Officer of a global game studio and as a strategic advisor to multiple emerging HR-tech companies. Whether advising boards, partnering with founders, or leading teams through transformation, she brings a disciplined, human-centered approach that builds resilient organizations where people and performance grow together. She is a proven leader who can deliver both business results and people impact.

Juliette earned her Master of Science in Non-Profit / Public / Organizational Management at The New School and also was awarded a certificate for Organization Development from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Karishma is an executive coach, Human Resources Consultant and Advisory Board Member who specializes in building aligned cultures, strong leaders and ensuring sustainable growth.

She has deep experience transforming organizations to unlock human potential and drive business results. She values guilding strategy and people to move in sync to navigate complexity in successful ways. She is a subject matter expert in organizational dynamics with unparalleled empathy for the people that make companies successful. Known for an enormously high level of energy, she has the savvy to lead transformations by architecting successful global structures and using her rarely-seen story-branding leadership skills to gain the trust and following of teams and leadership.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing from the University of Virginia, she would then earn her Master of Arts in Social Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

Kate has 10 years of Human Resources experience in both for-profit and non-profit companies. She has also served as a SHRM Volunteer Leader for more than two decades, since the days of her graduate school education. She volunteers in many ways, including as Central New Jersey SHRM Chapter President, on the Garden State Council, and as a Volunteer Leader for the GSC-SHRM annual conference. She is especially excited to bring HR professionals together through the Whine & Dine Networking Group.

As an HR Leader, she is extremely passionate about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to be employed in cultures that capitalize on employees' talents, be their best self and celebrate what makes each employee unique so that they can work at their highest level of productivity.

She has earned a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Thomas Edison State College, after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from that school.

Kathy is committed to facilitating connection. That may mean encouraging connection, supporting connection between individuals or teams, or connecting individuals with the experiences, skills, approaches, and strategies they need to be successful. Her mission is to support others’ success by promoting meaningful professional development at the individual, team, and organization levels.

She brands herself as Relationship-Builder | Leadership and Management Coach | Performance Development Champion | Capability Booster | Learning Space-Maker. Kathy has her Master of Science in Human Resources Development from Drexel and is currently working on her Masters in Education from Temple University.

She is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and is certified in Equitable Performance Feedback. She is certified as an Energy Leadership™ Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), as well as carrying the certification for Empowerment Skills for Leaders. She is a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Facilitator and is a member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD).

Kelena is a Director of People & Culture specializing in Human Resources and Hospitality Operations spanning more than a decade. She has a background in leadership, payroll & finance, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, HRIS and all other entities HR.

Kelena earned her Bachelor of Arts in Hotel & Restaurant Administration from New York Institute of Technology, then went onto earning her Masters of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Strayer University.

Ken carries the branding "Empowering Small & Mid-Sized Businesses with Expert Talent Solutions | Driving Growth Through People Strategy | Delivering Answers for the Real World" As Managing Partner at Somers HR Solutions LLC, he brings over 40 years of expertise in human capital leadership, specializing in talent optimization, leadership development, and performance management. His consulting practice focuses on aligning HR strategies with business goals through advanced software solutions, tailored coaching, and the design of impactful performance management processes. He empowers organizations to maximize the value of their workforce investments while enhancing their leadership capabilities.

During his storied career, he contributed to the transformation of a global shared services business unit at AXA XL, overseeing a $22M+ budget and managing operational risk across multiple geographies. His mission was to empower businesses to achieve sustainable growth by investing in their people and fostering high-impact, practical solutions that drive success.

Ken earned his Masters in Business Administration in Human Resources at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst - Isenberg School of Management. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Ken is a Human Resources Business Partner with outstanding ability to leverage Generalist knowledge, skills and abilities across industries and business environments. He has subject matter expertise in change management, employee communications and employee relations, as well as deep knowledge in all topics of diversity, equity and inclusion.

He brings his consulting expertise to bear with his talents in administration and management, reporting, metrics and analytics, as well as technology. He has deep knowledge in HR technology, immigration, International HR, labor relations and compliance. Ken carries extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions, integrations and plant closings. He also rounds out his portfolio with experience in organizational and strategic development, performance management, policy and procedures development, talent acquisition, total rewards, training and development, as well as vendor management.

Ken holds his Master of Science in Human Resources and Employment Relations from Penn State University. Prior to that he earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, one in Labor Studies and Employment Relations and the other in Communications, both from Rutgers University.

Kerri is the Founder and CEO of Trusted Talent Strategies, based in Atlanta, GA. With her 20+ years in the recruiting & talent acquisition world, she is passionate about helping companies and job seekers navigate the ever-evolving hiring landscape and thus has dedicated her career to optimizing the talent acquisition process.

She knows that Companies can DO BETTER:· She specializes in recruiting operations, process optimization, ATS implementations and staffing teams, ensuring companies attract and hire top talent efficiently. From streamlining your hiring strategy, to implementing technologies, to filling open roles, she offers customized solutions to meet business needs. She knows that Job Seekers can BE BETTER:· She provides expert resume revisions, LinkedIn makeovers, interview preparation, executive coaching, and tailored job search strategies to help job seekers stand out in a competitive job market. Whether you’re making a career transition or looking to refine your personal brand, she’ll work with you to position yourself for success. She understands how job seekers think, what hiring managers look for and how companies build strong teams. Her mission is to empower job seekers and businesses with the tools and strategies needed to achieve their goals.

Kerri earned her Bachelor of Business Administration, Banking and Finance at Hofstra University.

Khristy is a Human Resources leader who has worked in HR for various advertising and public relations agencies for the past 13+ years within the WPP, Interpublic Group and Publicis networks. She is currently Vice President of Human Resources at the community based in NYC, where she leads the Talent practice for the agency in a generalist capacity, focusing primarily on integrated talent management, leadership and executive coaching, DE&I, compensation strategy, organizational effectiveness, culture and employee engagement.

Khristy hails from The Bahamas and she loves traveling, music, meditating, reading and volunteering. She has her Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

Kim Goodwin is a transformational/change management consultant, executive and team coach at Goodwin Solutions, LLC. An expert in organizational effectiveness since 2014, Kim’s work focuses on inspiring excellence for leading change through effective, data-driven organizational strategies and neuroscience-based development for senior leaders and their teams.

She began her career as a consultant at Accenture, and prior to launching her consultancy, Goodwin held leadership roles in training, change management and practice development at McKinsey & Company, and organizational development at Boehringer Ingelheim, among other roles. Kim has certifications in Applied Neuroscience Executive Coaching & Master Neuroplastician, DiSC, Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i).

She is a Whine & Dine Networking Leader, an expert with Growthspace, and a Career Coach with Career Propulsion.Known as “An energetic organizational changer, builder and fixer”, she enables transformational change within organizations, teams and leaders. Kim received awards for her leading-edge learning and organizational development solutions, and professional achievements, and is a frequent presenter at association forums, as well as Assistant Chair of the Barney School of Business’ Board of Visitors (University of Hartford).

Kim received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Marketing and Technical Communications from Clarkson University and earned her Master of Science in Organizational Behavior from the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. She hosts her consultancy out of Danbury, Connecticut, where she lives with her husband, Keith, and their two children, Justin and Julia.

After nearly a decade in the health and dietician industry, Kimberly has moved fully into a career in human resources. Operating as a Business Partner, she is a people-centered professional who is passionate about creating environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow—both personally and professionally. With a background that blends HR strategy and community health, she brings a holistic approach to employee engagement, learning and development, and aligning people-focused strategies with overall business success. Her “why” is simple: she believes that when people are empowered to develop as whole individuals, they show up more confidently, contribute more meaningfully, and thrive in their careers. She is passionate about fostering growth through inclusive learning opportunities, thoughtful coaching, and development strategies that strengthen both individual potential and organizational performance. She is especially drawn to work that strengthens the connection between an organization and the communities it serves. Whether through outreach, partnerships, or community-centered initiatives, she looks for opportunities to align people and purpose—creating impact that’s felt both internally and externally. For Kimberly, it’s all about contributing to something bigger, where culture, connection and care go hand in hand. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Dietetics from Ohio State University and also carries the HRCI PHR and SHRM-CP designiations.

Laura is passionate about empowering small to mid-size companies to achieve sustainable growth and operational excellence through strategic and people-focused Human Resources leadership. With a proven track record in both start-ups and global financial services companies, she brings deep expertise in talent management, total rewards, coaching, change management and workforce planning.Her approach combines a big-picture vision with meticulous attention to detail, enabling her to craft and execute HR strategies that solve complex challenges and drive business results.

She believes in building strong partnerships with business leaders to ensure HR initiatives are fully aligned with organizational goals. Whether launching an HR function from the ground up or optimizing processes in established firms, she is committed to fostering cultures where employees thrive, collaborate, and contribute to long-term success.

Laura brands herself as Strategic HR Planning | Trusted Business Partner | Organizational Development | Workforce Planning | Change Management | Performance Management | Employee Relations | Succession Planning| Employer Branding | Talent Acquisition |Performance Management | Compliance | Policy Development | Mentoring | Emotional Intelligence | Coaching | Total Rewards & Compensation | Process Optimization | HCM Systems | HR Operations.

She connects with leaders and organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of their teams and drive meaningful business growth through strategic HR solutions. She brings an extensive, high-level education, including earning her Master of Arts in Human Resources Management at The New School and her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services at the University of Connecticut (proud Husky)!

Lauren is an accomplished human resources professional with over 15 years of experience advancing organizational growth through strategic initiatives. She is highly skilled in talent acquisition, employee engagement, relations, payroll, benefits administration and performance optimization. She brings strong proficiency in overseeing HR operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and cultivating a positive workplace culture, being adept at navigating diverse sectors including insurance, legal, manufacturing, and remote environments. As a SHRM Certified Professional, dedicated to aligning HR strategies with business objectives to drive tangible results, she is recognized as a strong communicator and collaborative leader, focused at proactively resolving complex client issues.

Lauren earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Roger Williams University, receiving degrees in History with a minor in Political Science. Art History/ Architectural History with a minor in Italian Studies. She is also a Certified Professional through SHRM, Employing Abilities at Work and Mental Health Ally Certification.

Lauren is a Strategic Human Resource Leader who champions people-powered strategies that drive organizational success. She mentors future leaders & drives impact through leadership in community organizations.

With 20 years of experience as a Human Resources Executive, she has dedicated her career to developing and executing effective Human Capital strategies in manufacturing, construction, and public sector environments. Her approach is centered around mentorship - guiding, coaching, and developing those she works with to reach their full potential.

Lauren has served in key leadership positions, including past president of the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management (CSHRM), past president of the Cleveland State University Alumni Association (CSUAA), past vice-chair of Engage! Cleveland, and current President of the Human Resources Leadership Group of Northeast Ohio, all while pursuing her commitment to mentorship and development, a passion that has been the cornerstone of her career.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Miami University, she would then earn her Masters of Science in Labor Relations and Human Resources from Cleveland State University. She carries the designations SPHR from HRCI, as well as SHRM-SCP.

Over his 25-year HR career, Lawrence has developed a wealth of knowledge and success in HR Leadership, Learning, Talent Development, Performance, Employee Relations, HRIS, Recruiting and a brief stint in Payroll during the pandemic.

His expertise in strategic design, employee development, project management, analytics, focus on optimization and evolving business imperatives has been recognized throughout his career.

Larry holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an HR concentration and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management. He also holds certifications as a Senior Professional in HR from HRCI and the SHRM Senior Certified Professional.

Lori brands herself as employee relations, change management, talent strategy and HR compliance. She prides herself on innovation and operational efficiency, all of which leads to vastly improved employee morale, better retention and superior cross-functional communication. With significant experience in union and non-union environments, she has an outstanding track record of organizational leadership.

She carries advanced skills and experience in conflict resolution, policy development and implementation, relationship building, along with coaching and mentoring.

Lori earned certification in HR Management from Molloy University and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Farmingdale State College. She is certified SHRM-CP and has advanced OSHA training.

Marci is an experienced Human Resources professional who is highly passionate about helping people achieve their full potential in the business world. She enjoys working with all levels of individuals within organizations and being part of a collaborative team.

She takes enormous pride in her authenticity, natural relationship building, and ability to flex to changing organizational needs, all of which supports her mission to foster a positive, team-oriented workplace culture and be a trusted resource that supports employees at all levels. Her areas of expertise include recruiting, human resource management, onboarding, employee engagement, and benefits administration, with an emphasis on talent management and streamlining the recruitment, interview and hiring process. Her background also extends to resume writing and career coaching, allowing her to pursue her passion the career services industry, which has been integrated into her professional identity going back to her first entry into the staffing industry.

Marci earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Known as "Director of Organizational Development & Learning | L&D Catalyst | Agile Innovator | Building Talent Solutions that Drive Results | Growing Organizations by Growing their People", Maria is a seasoned Organizational and Talent Development leader with over 20 years of experience who creates and executes strategies to enhance career growth and leadership development. With a proven track record of leading enterprise-wide organizational initiatives, enhancing leadership capabilities, and fostering a culture of engagement, she drives accountability and embed excellence across organizations. Recognized for fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth, she empowers individuals to become exceptional managers and inspirational leaders who drive results and achieve organizational goals.

Her expertise lays in leadership development, talent & succession planning, development planning, designing & executing leadership programs, performance management, dynamic virtual facilitation, change management, organizational transformation, onboarding, project management, consulting, experiential learning, mentoring, and coaching executives and 9-box talent reviews.

Maria is energized by experiences that foster connection, balance, spark curiosity, and help her recharge through exploring the outdoors through nature walks. hikes and camping, traveling to explore new places and cultures and enjoying great food, skiing as a way to embrace challenge and renewal, quality time with family and intentional moments to rest and reflect.

Maria has earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing & Communications and Business Management from Western New England University.

Maritza is an accomplished Human Resources leader with experience creating solutions that positively impact the organization's effectiveness. Her career spans diverse industries where she has consistently enabled teams to implement impactful HR initiatives through her high level business partner approaches.

Maritza has her Master of Business Administration in Business and Human Resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Kean University (minoring in Psychology).

Matthew has enjoyed an extraordinarily successful 25-year career in the Total Rewards space. He carries vast experience in compensation and benefits with a demonstrated history of working in the professional services and restaurants industries. He has a strong consultative professional approach, deeply skilled in self-insured and fully funded benefit plans, ancillary benefit plans, 401(k) and Deferred Compensation, Employee Communication, HR Policies and Performance Management.

Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of California, Riverside.

Maureen is a Human Resources Director with over a decade of experience transforming HR into a true business partnership across healthcare, manufacturing and construction. She directs organizations to hire outstanding candidates, engage employees, improve retention, and align talent strategies with business goals.

She has an excellent brand that speaks to her collaborative leadership, helping her to create workplaces where people feel valued, supported and motivated to perform at their best for measurable bottom-line results.

Outside the office, she leads the Bergen County Whine & Dine, an engaging HR networking group that brings together professionals to share ideas, build relationships, and strengthen the HR community. She has an Associate of Arts in Business from Bergen Community College.

Meghna is a hands-on Human Resources leader with extensive experience in people operations, project management, and leadership. She has demonstrated expertise executing change management initiatives, leading corporate culture and communications, along with merger and acquisition due diligence and integration efforts. She is highly adept at analyzing business needs and processes, and leveraging problem-solving, strategic thinking, and industry knowledge to provide value-driven solutions that exceed stakeholder expectations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Her extensive experience in consulting with executives has resulted in her ability to improve business effectiveness and leading change management initiatives. She is proficient in Talent Management using robust organizational high potential/top talent programs and she has a proven track record in running HR Transformation projects, HRIS and HR Technology implementations to meet business and organizational goals.

Meghna has global experience in Business HR roles and versatility in adapting to diverse organizational realities in a multitude of countries. This experience has led to her ability to drive complex projects & meet challenging deadlines in fast-paced, lean matrix environment. She brands herself as a subject matter expert in Talent Management, Change Management, Mergers & Acquisitions, Employee Relations, HR Program/Project Management, Audit & Compliance, Orientation & On-Boarding, Training & Development, Performance Management, along with HR Policies & Procedures.

Meghna earned her Master of Human Resources in Human Resources Management and Services from Cornell University Industrial and Labor Relations School. Prior to that, she earned her Master of Social Work in Labor Welfare & Human Resource Management from Delhi University and her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, also from Delhi University.

Melissa is a Senior Human Resources Leadership Professional and Business Partner with extensive experience establishing and propelling strategic organizational plans while managing full-cycle talent management initiatives. She has a proven history of success in driving employee recruiting and retention practices, compensation/benefit design, performance management systems, training and development. Engaging and stimulating communicator, expert at connecting quickly with others and building key relationships across all levels of organizations.

She is a persuasive consensus builder with outstanding leadership and collaboration abilities; interpersonal and time management skills to effectively balance multiple competing tasks, identify organizational and staffing needs, and work with all levels of functional and management teams to ensure continued organizational success.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts at the State University of New York College at Brockport and is also a Certified Compensation Analyst (CCA).

Michael is a Senior Talent Manager with a comprehensive background across all facets of human resources. Beginning his career as an HR Coordinator, he gained hands-on experience in benefits, HRIS, payroll, compliance, onboarding, performance management, employee relations and organizational development. Known for balancing analytical insight with genuine empathy,

Michael specializes in aligning talent needs with business goals while helping individuals grow into their best work. He’s driven by the belief that great organizations are built one great person—and one great conversation—at a time.

Today, he leverages that broad HR foundation to drive thoughtful, strategic talent initiatives that support both people and business outcomes. Michael focuses on creating environments where teams can thrive and companies can hire with clarity, confidence, and intention.

Michael earned his Associate of Arts in Business Administration at Central Piedmont Community College.

Michelle partners with leaders and professionals to drive meaningful transformation. With over 25 years of experience in global leadership, HR strategy, organization effectiveness, and executive coaching, from startups to Fortune 500's, she helps individuals and organizations around the world achieve strategic growth.She brands herself as Global Leadership Coach ◊ x-SVP HR ◊ Human Resources Consultant ◊ Advisory Board Member ◊ #1 Best Selling Author ◊ Sustainability Advocate ◊ Transforming Organizations and Empowering People to Thrive.

"Dr. Michelle Prince" is a certified leadership coach and HR consultant specializing in onboarding new leaders, leadership development, and navigating organizational challenges. ​Michelle supports clients from C-level executives to high potentials, across diverse industries and companies of all sizes. ​Her coaching focuses on enhancing leadership capabilities, personal agility, and achieving career aspirations resulting in promotions and enhanced results. Dr. Prince is a sought-after guest speaker for women's career groups, career-focused podcasts, and has spoken at events for HR.com, SHRM, ATD, Chief Learning Officer, and HRO Today.

After earning her Master of Science in Career & Human Resource Development at the Rochester Institute of Technology that followed her Bachelor of Science in Management at the Binghamton University School of Management, Michelle was awarded her Doctorate of Management, Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. She is also certified at the Institute of Diversity and Orchestrating Winning Performance (OWP).

Olena is a strategic and results-driven Global Human Resources Leader with 15 years of experience shaping and executing transformative HR initiatives across fast-growing tech start-ups and small businesses in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Brazil, and China.

She is known for building and optimizing HR functions from the ground up, leading merger and acquisition integrations, and driving global talent strategies that fuel business expansion nationally or globally. She is a hands-on leader with deep expertise in global workforce compliance, compensation & benefits, talent mobility, and HR technology implementation.

Olena is extremely passionate about creating scalable people solutions that enhance employee experience, reduce costs, and support high-performance cultures. Whether it's streamlining operations, aligning HR strategy with business goals, or navigating complex global employment landscapes, she brings a proactive and innovative approach to every challenge. Olena particular enjoys connecting to drive impactful HR transformations!

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Baruch College, City University of New York. Prior to that, she was awarded her Associate of Arts in Business Management from LaGuardia Community College.

Patrice is a senior Human Capital executive with three decades of global leadership experience driving talent strategy, organizational transformation, and culture across biotech, pharma, and innovation-driven companies, including Pfizer, Genentech, Amgen, and Alexion. She partners with CEOs, executive teams, and boards to align talent with business strategy, accelerate leadership impact, and build high-performing, resilient organizations. Her expertise spans executive coaching, leadership development, succession planning, HR strategy, culture transformation, and workforce enablement.

As founder of Monarch Advisors LLC, she provides fractional CHRO services, HR advisory, and executive coaching to organizations navigating growth, change, and complex workforce challenges.

She excels at senior leadership and advisory roles where she utilizes human capital insights to support governance, strategy, and organizational effectiveness.

Patrice is passionate about enabling leaders and organizations to achieve sustainable, purpose-driven impact, She earned her Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and became a Certified Coach through the Health Coach Institute.

Perry is a Senior Talent Acquisition Leader with a career spanning two decades, predominantly in the hospitality and tourism industry. His expertise and leadership have been instrumental in growing numerous world-class, industry leading organizations and transforming them into preferred destinations for candidates throughout the Southern United States.

He has demonstrated talent acquisition expertise in designing strong diversity in college programs, leading to the successful creation and expansion of sales and marketing operations, call centers, resort operations and accounting / finance functions. His subject matter expertise includes workforce planning, staffing, new team development, business unit creation and college campus recruitment programs.

Perry earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from the University of Florida.

In her 25-year HR leadership career, Rhonda has turned complexity into clarity, momentum and measurable results for high-growth and private equity-backed companies. She leads Organizational Development, Talent Development, and Learning and Development so that strategy, leadership behavior, and daily work all pull in the same direction. She brands herself as "People-First Change Leader | AI Adoption I Performance & Capability Builder".

She partners with leaders to turn “we have a lot of initiatives” into a simple performance system that connects skills, tools, AI, and coaching to what the business actually cares about: client and employee experience, revenue, risk, and performance. Across her career, she has improved client experience by building customer service training directly from call drivers, client feedback, and service gaps, reduced compliance and operational risk by turning policy into practical behaviors, manager playbooks, and learning that is built into the work, not just check the box modules, designed enterprise skills and performance frameworks that helped multi acquisition companies operate as one across teams, functions, and acquired entities, built onboarding, new hire training, and ramp programs that gave new hires one clear story and a consistent path to performance across locations and acquisitions, built leadership and manager enablement so leaders had simple, repeatable ways to coach, give feedback, and lead change in real time, as well as supported AI adoption through policy and guideline training and by helping teams understand when and how to use AI responsibly in their day-to-day work

Rhonda is equal parts strategist and builder who can sit with the executive team, or PE partner to align on outcomes, then roll up the proverbial sleeves with HR, Ops, IT, and frontline teams to design and implement solutions that work in the real world.

Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business, Psychology and Art Therapy from Albertus Magnus College and her Certification in Human Computer Interaction from the University of San Diego.

After a long career as a highly-decorated New York City police officer and detective, Rob found himself in the field of Human Resources. Now, nearly two decades later, he has spent his entire HR career as the HR Director for Piping Rock Club of Long Island NY.

He epitomizes the roles of Director, Senior Business Partner and Strategic Leader. Rob has also spent many years as a champion of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD, a rare genetic disorder affecting the central nervous system, something that two of his four children have. He and his wife Kristen speak frequently about PMD and are seen as community leaders in this area. Rob's energy knows no bounds and he has also been a Whine & Dine Networking leader on Long Island since 2013.

Rob earned his Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Manhattan University and he is also a TiPS Alcohol Safety Trainer. He is an American Red Cross Instructor in FA CPR and AED.

Sarah is a Certified Leadership Coach and Talent Development Thought Leader. She has taken a very successful career in training and leadership development and channeled her talent through her own consulting practice, Aisling Group while also being Adjunct Faculty at Bowling Green State University.

She is a dynamic talent and leadership development thought leader who exudes passion for supporting others and organizations as they reach their goals. Able to connect with all levels of the organization through contagious energy and authentic, she has an industry-model empathetic approach to business and people. Sarah's 25 years of designing and executing development programs that support organizational and personal change gives her a track record of success that speaks for itself. Her specialties include leadership & talent development, organizational development, leadership coaching, dynamic classroom and virtual facilitation, instructional design and talent strategy consulting. She has delivered top-level content at a variety of public and private speaking engagements.

After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cleveland State University, Sarah earned her Masters of Science in Organization Development from Bowling Green State University and then became a Certified Coach through the Institute for Life Coach Training.

Scott brings an enormous storehouse of Human Resources technology solutions and knowledge with the less common combination of in-depth knowledge of all HR functional areas. His specialties include HR Analytics, Health and Welfare Benefits, Talent Acquisition RPO, Wellness Management, 401K, Pension, Total Rewards/Compensation, Sales Incentive Compensation, Talent Management/Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Learning and Development, Payroll, Open Enrollment Benefits Administration, HR BPO and Sarbanes Oxley compliance.

He has deep expertise and knowledge of HRIS/HRMS systems, including Workday, Ceridian, iCIMS, Xactly, UltiPro, Foresight and Halogen. He is a certified Project Management Professional using SDLC methodologies with the goal to provide outstanding customer service and results.

Scott received advanced education and training in computer programming at Chubb Institute and Kean University and also carries the certifications SHRM-SCP and SPHR.

Scott is known for his expertise in Talent & Performance Management, onboarding, learning & development, talent acquisition, inclusion & diversity, as well as his outstanding facilitation skills.

His expertise spans more than two decades where he has specialized in early-career talent development and program design, including the launch of successful summer internship programs. His broad human resources generalist experience include strengths in organization and project management, and he has had the opportunity to hone his professional writing expertise. He has a proactive, calm-under-pressure approach as a problem-solver who drives results and supports positive employee experiences.

A leading sales trainer with thousands of hours of experience, he has delivered programs for many thousands of employees, launching onboarding processes for all employees at several Fortune 500 employers.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Communications at State University of New York at New Paltz, he would gain his Master Certificate in Human Resources Management at Villanova University. In his spare time, he is an avid film connoisseur, the author of an acclaimed film review blog.

Shah is a highly-accomplished Human Resource Business Partner with over two decades of organizational leadership experience. Specializing in strategic development, talent acquisition training and development, as well as high-potential career development, she taps into academia to find the leaders of tomorrow.

With solid experience in employee relations, employee engagement and organizational development, she focuses on supporting students and emerging professionals reach their full potential and find their ideal career paths. She is a subject matter expert in the transition of students from high school to college and is frequently called on to guide students as they explore early career options.

Shah has earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Clemson University.

Sharon is an experienced Human Resources leader and consultant with 20 years of experience helping organizations build cultures where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to do their best work. She’s led HR functions and guided teams through change and growth across industries including real estate, non-profit, financial services and technology.

She is passionate about shaping culture, developing leaders, and helping people and organizations thrive together, Sharon brings a collaborative and practical approach to every partnership. She currently consults with organizations on HR strategy, leadership development, and team effectiveness while exploring her next in-house HR leadership role.

Sharon is very active in the Boston HR community, Sharon is involved with NEHRA, HRLF, and the Boston HR Council. As a leader of Whine & Dine, she loves creating space for connection, conversation and a little fun among HR and Talent professionals across Greater Boston.

Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science at the Isenberg School of Management (HRTA) University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She also is a Certified Predictive Index Partner and is certified as Professional in Human Resources from HRCI and carries the SHRM-CP and Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

Susana is a strategic Human Resources leader with a decade of experience in employee relations, leadership development and change management. As Employee Relations Manager, her focus has been on fostering a compliant and inclusive workplace while guiding leaders through complex employee investigations and organizational transitions.

She has demonstrated expertise in leadership coaching and robust organizational development strategies to navigate challenges and improve workplace culture. She is particularly fluent in emphasizing collaboration and integrity. Her contributions include enabling smooth transitions and ensuring alignment with labor laws and company policies.

Susana is working on her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and Human Resources at St. Joseph's College. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Susanne has developed a Learning and Development track in her fifteen year career, combining her training talents with technology, transformation and change. She brands herself "Chief of Staff | Advisor | Enterprise Change, Transformation and Culture Leader | Prosci Certified | Driving Sustainable Adoption, Engagement & Organizational Impact | Operations & Transformation Leader | Turning Strategy into Execution | Force Multiplier | Culture Creator", providing tremendous leadership and Chief of Staff command for large companies throughout the healthcare industry.

She is a strategic Chief of Staff and Operations Leader who helps organizations bring clarity to complexity and execute with intention. She has partnered closely with C-suite and senior executives at CVS Health, Anthem, Aetna, and Teladoc Health, leading enterprise initiatives spanning culture transformation, organizational effectiveness, workforce optimization, planning, and operating model evolution.

What energizes her is creating environments where people thrive, and strategy becomes reality. She designs operating rhythms, KPIs/OKRs, performance dashboards, and decision frameworks that connect strategy to day-to-day execution. She is known for leading strategic initiatives, solving complex problems, improving decision-making, and enabling leaders and teams to move forward with alignment and confidence.

Across every role, her focus has been consistent: strengthen culture, build systems that support peak performance, and help leaders navigate growth and transformation with clarity. She thrives in environments where collaboration, intentional structure, and purpose come together to help organizations and individuals operate at their best.

Susanne is Prosci-certified in change management and hold multiple certifications across Agile delivery, leadership and culture, facilitation, and business/financial acumen. She is an active member of the Chief of Staff Roundtable, PMI, and the International Association of Facilitators, and her work has been recognized with awards at CVS Health and Anthem for impact on culture, performance, and execution excellence.

Susanne has earned certifications as a DISC Certified Facilitator through HRD Press and as a SAFe® 5 Practitioner through Scaled Agile.

Tony is a highly skilled Human Resources Business Partner with an ability to attract, recruit and retain top talent with over a decade of HR experience. He is a mission focused, solutions-oriented practitioner with an impeccable work ethic.

His key areas of focus include benefits administration and organizational process and procedure. He is knowledgeable with all levels of federal and state regulations. He possess exceptional interpersonal, organizational, strong verbal and written communication skills.

Tony earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Management and Operations from Virginia College.

Ulli is an Executive Advisor who supports CEOs & Human Resources leaders to reduce surprise and turnover with artificial intelligence as a leadership co-pilot. She believes that most leaders don't lose key people because they don't care, but rather because they don't see the risk early enough. Surprise and regrettable resignations are among the most expensive and disruptive leadership blind spots, especially in small- to mid-size organizations with limited HR capacity or no formal HR function at all.

She works with leadership that believes talent is their most important asset and doesn't want to delegate responsibility for it - but also doesn't have time, systems, or visibility to manage retention proactively. She has worked inside and alongside organizations of all sizes across industries including automotive, insurance, financial advisory, and staffing. In those environments, the same pattern repeats - by the time someone resigns, leaders are already out of good options. She uses AI to identify roles and people they can't afford to lose, detect early signals of disengagement and flight risk, take targeted, pre-emptive action before problems escalate, build consistent leadership practices—even without large HR teams and introduce AI in a way that builds confidence.

Ulli's flagship engagement is the "AI-Powered Key People Retention Blueprint", which is a structured, executive-level program that translates years of leadership and advisory experience into a practical system leaders can actually use.

Ulli earned a Master of Arts in Economics from Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg. She is also certified in Leadership Effectiveness Analysis 360 Full Suite and Individual Directions Inventory Assessment by MRG Assessments.

Vetri has been recruiting for 20 years, helping organizations across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia hiring great talents at all levels. He enjoys building talent pipelines with various expertise, partnering with executives on talent strategy, and bringing data to the recruiting process. He is passionate about coaching, mentoring and building diverse recruiting teams, sharing ideas on people analytics, and supporting leaders in creating inclusive and high-performing cultures.

He specializes in Global Talent Acquisition, Full lifecycle recruitment, Diversity Recruiting, Transformational thought Leadership, People Analytics, Building and Managing Recruiting Teams, Training and Development, Resource Management, Lead Generation, Business Development, Multi-National Team Leadership, Cross-Collaboration & Communication, Coaching & Mentoring, Presentations & Proposals, Partnerships & Alliances, Stakeholder Management, Contract Negotiation.

Vetri earned his Master of Science in Statistics at Madras Christian College after being awarded his Post-Graduate Diploma in Management at Loyola Institute Of Business Administration.

Walter is a Global Program Manager with “Big 4” and international consulting experience, and a proven ability to lead large scale global initiatives that impact performance and operational costs. He has a strong Human Resources background in talent management, change management and process reengineering. His demonstrates creative and innovative approaches to programs, combined with a consultative / collaborative style and sensitivity to cultural differences.

He specializes in Organizational Development (OD), Human Resources, along with Training & Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Change Management, Learning, Performance Management, Facilitation, Coaching, Consulting, Outsourcing, Accounting, Process Reengineering, Process Improvement, along with Technology Solutions & Systems Implementation. He is multilingual, speaking English, Japanese and Spanish. This leads to subject matter expert cross-cultural skills where he has high-level expertise in developing relationships and implementing solutions in China, India, Japan, and 17 other countries.

Walter has his Masters of Business Administration from Thunderbird School of Global Management and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies at Colby College.

Yogi is a Senior Global Talent Development and Training leader who brings a wealth of experience as a leadership strategist, keynote speaker and author. Known as a "human potential locksmith", he brings extensive experience developing leaders, strengthening cultures and helping people unlock more of what they are capable of.

This former comedian, Disney Leader, and self-described mediocre musician, Yogi now works with executives who recognize that their talent pipeline is insufficient to meet their desired business growth. With 30+ years of experience in talent development, he works with leaders and organizations to navigate change, rebuild cultures, and grow their people with purpose. He blends his background in hospitality and Disney leadership with humor, candor, productive friction and humanity.

His experience also includes developing high-potential programs and helping organizations make sense of complicated culture and talent challenges. He created the Embrace the G.R.I.T. framework as a practical approach to leadership growth and accountability. Yogi is also the author of The Great Slapping: The Power of Mentorship and Leadership Fuel: Spark the Fire. Inspire the Leader.

Yogi earned his Master of Business Administration from Webster University and his Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Marquette University.

Branding herself as "Leader at the Intersection of HR Operations, Inclusion, & Innovation", Yve's mission is to build high-performing organizations by providing leaders with the right resources and tools to elevate their people, while simultaneously applying principles of Belonging and Connection to create equitable, innovative, and high-performing employee experiences.

For over 20 years, she has partnered with businesses to optimize the full employee lifecycle, from recruiting and onboarding to performance and total rewards. I design and build scalable and efficient HR ecosystems that not only reduce administrative burden but also free up people to do their best work. She embraces AI to transform processes, unlock insights, and refocus HR on what matters most: people.

As a trusted advisor to the C-suite, she has extensive experience supporting organizations through periods of growth and evolution. Her leadership extends to the design and assessment of programs that foster engagement across difference, ensuring HR initiatives actively cultivate a shared sense of community and connection. she operates as a visionary and collaborative leader, translating high-level organizational goals for belonging into actionable strategy.

Yve's passion is to create lift for others. She proudly shares that her experience in HR Operations and leadership isn't just something to leverage; it is the foundation that allows her to do this meaningful work.

She has her Master of Arts in Social Policy and Applied Sociology from Northeastern University and her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Hamilton College.

Yve's People Philosophy: Unleash organizational performance by trusting, valuing, and equipping employees to succeed.

As a HR practitioner in talent acquisition from the NY Metro area, Abby founded the Manhattan Whine & Dine chapter in 2008 and ran it for two years. Since that time, and for well over a decade, Abby has been the principal of Staffing Symphony, holding the role of Talent Acquisition Leader and specializing in fractional high volume recruiting for small to mid-size companies.

She has completed national recruiting projects in 17 different industries, including Pharmaceutical, For-Profit Education, Media, Biotech, Publishing, Hospital, Technology, Software, Legal, Manufacturing, Non-Profit, Dental, Laboratory, Medical Supply, Maritime, and Training.

Abby gained national fame by becoming "Absolutely Abby". During this part of her career, she was on a mission to educate one million job seekers across the United States. She delivered presentations in 28 states while driving across the country in an RV. You can learn more at AbbyAcrossAmerica.com

Abby is different than most other career experts because she is an actual recruiter who continues to see detrimental, yet correctable mistakes people make during their job search. The media attention she receives helps her get her secrets out to more job seekers.

Abby earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Personnel Management Certificate from the University of Rochester, where she was also a ping pong champion! She currently lives in Fort Myers with her fiance Ed and her pride and joy babies, Gizmo the parrot, as well as Lizzy and Toast, the bearded dragons.

Christina is a Compensation & Benefits executive with experience in leading compensation and health & welfare plans for self-funded and fully-insured medium-sized companies in the pharmaceutical, retail and financial services industries. She has demonstrated abilities to establish and manage strong relationships with third party vendors and provide comprehensive programs for all levels of employees.

She has proven senior-level abilities to direct executive compensation and stock plans including stock options, restricted stock, and phantom stock, with extensive experience in merger and acquisition due diligence and integration. Her specialties include executive compensation, variable pay programs, stock plans, employee benefits, mergers and acquisitions

Christina earned her Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Rutgers University.

After a long career heavily focused as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner and Talent Acquisition Leader, she is now the Vice President of Human Resources and Business Operations for Longevity Veterinary Center, an extraordinarily popular holistic veterinary practice and hospital in New Jersey. Geri was in that first group to gather in March 2003, the original five that would become Whine & Dine Networking.

She is a Human Resources Executive Business Partner accomplished in achieving and exceeding talent retention and acquisition goals in electrical and industrial distribution, lean manufacturing, cosmetics and consumer products, IT, healthcare, insurance, nonprofit and financial business arenas; She is quite outstanding and successful in client relationship management, delivering results with a sense of urgency and cost effectiveness consistent with company values and strategy.

Geri has a proven track record in successfully managing high volume requisition loads in both small businesses to large corporate organizations. Extensive experience recruiting entry level to C- Level candidates within various disciplines throughout Corporate Business Operational Units.

Geri studied Business, Management, Marketing and Support Services at Rutgers University and also studied Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Business Management at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Branded as "Accomplished Global Talent Acquisition Leader implementing highly successful recruitment programs in industries including Life Science, Management Consulting, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Insurance", Janet has had extensive experience as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at the Director level. She is mostly focused on Talent Acquisition as a specialty these days.

Janet was at that first get-together in March 2003 with what would become Whine & Dine Networking. She was the person who suggested to the founder that he learn more about the true definition of networking and she has been an amazing inspiration to so many over the years.

Janet earned her Associate of Arts in Marketing/Marketing Management at The State University of New York.

As Founder and CEO, she is deeply honored and proud to lead the team at HireEffect, an organization of outsourced advisors specializing in Small Business Strategy, Business Automation, Bookkeeping, Payroll, Human Resources, Talent Management, and Recruiting for founder-led and family-owned businesses.

Moving from corporate roles in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to becoming a self-employed solopreneur and then CEO of a growing multi-state consulting firm, she offers a unique perspective to support business growth. Collaborating with fantastic (and fun!) business partners, HireEffet has pioneered the concept that Talent + Technology = [Business] Transformation.

With a broad understanding of how the candidate and employee attraction, selection and retention processes work, she works with founding CEOs and business owners to create meaningful connections with the talent they want to hire - and the employees they love. Firm in the belief that greatness is only achieved when you have the right people on your team, she helps identify candidates who fit and ensures that internal team members are happy and find purpose and meaning in the work they do.

Jennifer specializes in employing Conscious Leadership tools to improve employee engagement and retention, helping companies create and sustain the kind of culture that attracts top talent, and enabling an effective hiring process based on values and culture fit.

Following her passion for all things social media, she guides a tactical approach to networking for senior executives in transition. As the Social Media Expert for Crenshaw Associates, she coaches executive job seekers in the use of LinkedIn and other social media tools to build and engage their networks, increase their online visibility, and take action in their career campaigns.

She brands herself as "Conscious Business Leader Nurturing a purpose-driven, values-based team providing Bookkeeping & Advisory, Payroll, People Operations & HR, and Recruiting for owner-led businesses. Goldman Sachs 10KSB Alum"

Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Connecticut.

The true inspiration for all that Whine & Dine is, has become and whatever the future holds for our community. This man taught the certification course for 30 years and built a enormous and powerful network of HR practitioners, one person at a time, every single day of his career. He sat at the very first get-together of the group that would become Whine & Dine Networking, right by our sides at Macaroni Grill in Edison NJ.

Retired now, he finished his professional career as a Full Cycle Talent Acquisition Professional who was experienced with all research and development, scientific and clinical positions from technician to senior management in research & development and applied research labs. He was heavily experienced with conducting search for active & passive candidates using LinkedIn, Monster Power Search, Indeed, & LinkedIn Recruiter, as well as experienced with campus recruitment for internships and full time positions and relationship development with university career services and the Science & Engineering (Chemistry, Material Science, & Chemical Engineering) Departments and faculty. All this after a long and distinguished career as a Senior HR Business Partner at the Director level.

Jerome got his Bachelor of Arts at St. Francis University and now lives on the West Coast of Florida with his amazing wife Missy.

Branded as "Talent Acquisition 👉𝗚𝗲𝗲𝗸👈 | JobSeeker Ally | I'm not active on LinkedIn: I'm 𝗵𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗿active! | Wordsmith | Senior Recruiter at Cenlar FSB | Hiring for IT roles exclusively in the 19067 ZIP code | That #EDtalk guy", he was incredibly passionate about building community, inclusiveness and helping others. He worked tirelessly to lift others up and make a difference in the lives of others, no matter who they were.

He carried the credentials author and instructor, in addition to his brief career in Talent Acquisition. Known widely as "wordsmith", he penned advice and guidance in so many forms virtually every day, sharing freely through social media and other routes.

Words shared about him in his memory in 2024: Today you are free. After the long, courageous and epic battle you waged with cancer, you have shed the mortal coil this morning. No more pain, no more treatments, no more hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. And what you left behind for us... an unparalleled legacy of giving, of sharing, of helping others. A selflessness almost unheard of in the human condition.

Ed Han, everything you ever did was done with limitless heart and love. A devoted and loving husband, a loyal friend who would literally give the shirt off his back for anyone, a kind and generous soul who has always epitomized the entire concept of "Pay it Forward". If karma is truly a thing, and one can be rich from the accumulation of karma, you are rich beyond imagination.

There is an expression I have lived by for years. "You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you." You and I talked of these words and this philosophy frequently. Every day in your life was perfect, from this perspective.

I will miss you more than could possibly be described in words, but I am blessed with all that you taught us, all that you shared, the online fabulous collection of #EdTalks, but most of all the vivid memories of all the time we shared just you and I. To see you again yesterday, to hold your hand and hug my brother one more time... I am so grateful.

One very special memory for me was just a few weeks ago when my son Jeremy and I came to visit you in the hospital. You were a bit weak and tired that day, but you perked right up when Jeremy walked in the room as you launched right into the power of networking and all the good approaches for job search that he could follow. The amazing energy you got from talking to him, from giving of your knowledge, was truly spectacular to watch. You did this end so much more every time you led one of our #WhineAndDine groups and shared your knowledge so willingly and freely with every person, every single time.

This and just thousands of memories tell me that you will be with me, and with everyone in our community, forever. You will be right there at the tip of smiles and thoughts, ready with your advice and teachings, always so ready to help.

Smile down upon us from time to time. Rest easy and never ever forget the greatness you shared with everyone, the amazing legacy you built and know that legacy will live in each of us forever.

Love you, my brother

After a wonderfully distinguished career as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner at the Director level, LeRoy became the CEO/President of the Society of Hispanic Human Resource Professionals (SHHRP). He was a recognized leader in Corporate Diversity and nationally recognized for his efforts in the Hispanic and employment communities. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Education at the University of Northern Colorado

Words written for him in his memory in 2023: To live a life in service and support to all others. To help anyone and everyone that you come in contact with, regardless of the circumstances. To ensure and pursue equality and equal treatment for all as a lifelong goal and to share those ideals with everyone you touch. To be a loving spouse and an amazing parent, ensuring the safety and well-being of your family. This is the mark of a successful life, one worth living, and an amazing legacy for all others to aspire to.

So many live their lives without contributing or making a difference or truly caring about other people, outside of themselves or immediate family. But LeRoy Romero - friend, brother, mentor, father, spouse, professional, hero - left his mark. He made an enormous difference in the lives of everyone he touched. He changed the world for those that knew him by standing up for what was truly right and fought tirelessly on behalf of others to achieve true diversity, inclusion and equity.

For more than a quarter of a century, LeRoy was the Founder and President of SHHRP, the Society of Hispanic Human Resources Professionals. In his words, the organization stands as a guide, a blueprint, a conduit for information and an opportunity for those who believe in diversity, inclusion and social justice to connect and share. In addition to success in his Human Resources career, he found the never-ending strength to create and promote SHHRP.

Naturally he was quite drawn to Whine & Dine Networking, the way I was drawn to SHHRP. He became the founder of the Denver chapter of W&D. The two organizations have stood proudly together, with impact both nationally and internationally, and will forever be linked by the greatness of his legacy. I am a far better human being for having been blessed with his friendship and his amazing leadership. A small part of me is broken today, knowing that he left us last week and that he is no longer among us, but a much bigger part of me celebrates the greatness that he bestowed upon all of us. LeRoy is my hero for he changed the lives of so many people in such positive ways and was a true champion for everything that supports and advances the causes of equality.

To Tina and Gabe, you are my family now. You were the moment my amazing friend and I connected those years ago. Sad times for sure right now but I look forward to celebrating LeRoy, and all he did for the human condition, with you for many years to come.

Walter last held the position of Global Head of Benefits and Compensation, capping a long career as a Senior Human Resources Business Partner and Payroll Leader. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Fairfield University and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Labor Studies from Capital University

Words written in memory of our friend: Within the networking group that I founded 19 years ago, many special friendships have been borne. Among those friendships I was blessed to know Walter James Donne. He was part of the Whine & Dine White Plains & Connecticut Networking Leadership team. Walter passed away yesterday. He had been in a courageous battle with ALS, having been diagnosed some time back. His wife Nancy and two daughters Emme and Hannah were by his side. He now rests in peace, free of those many challenges. For quite a while, this disease did not slow him down and did not deter him from being devoted to his family or to our HR community. He gave selflessly of his time and energy to help guide others, exemplifying all of what our networking group stands for, to serve others and give of ourselves without limit.

Walter was a wonderful contributor in our HR community and made a tremendous difference in the lives of those who connected with him, especially those who shared his experiences and enthusiasm for career and professional growth.

Most of all, Walter was a true friend, always being there for so many of us. I will certainly miss my friend, but I will cherish and celebrate his accomplishments and tell the stories of what he did and the positive impact he had on so many. In that way - remembering through stories and living the life he always exemplified - he will live on through each of us.

Our thoughts are with his wife and daughters. Hug your families tonight and every night. Life is precious and sometimes so very fleeting.

Christine is an innovative and influential Human Resources Manager and Employee & Labor Relations leader with successful HR management experience in diversified companies. She has demonstrated leadership executing strategic and tactical initiatives to increase organizational effectiveness and enhance employee engagement. Recognized as a high performer who advances company vision and culture through growth and change management objectives, she is an exceptional interpersonal communicator, trusted advisor and valued executive partner.

Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from Thomas Edison State University.

Colleen guides leaders and organizations to unlock their potential by aligning people, culture and strategy. She is a Human Resources leader who thrives at the intersection of people and business, believing that when culture and strategy move in the same direction, organizations unlock their full potential. Her work has centered on guiding companies through growth, transformation and complexity, always with people at the core.As a partner to CEOs and executive teams, she has brought a collaborative and pragmatic approach to solving challenges, building and leading high-performing teams, fostered alignment across diverse stakeholders, and championed integrity, trust, and empathy in every decision, cultivating environments where teams excel and navigating challenges of scaling, leading through change, and aligning people with strategy.

Colleen considers it her life’s work to help leaders uncover hidden strengths, build trust, and unlock their full potential. Over the course of her career, she has advised CEOs and senior teams through large-scale transformations, succession planning, executive coaching, and culture-building initiatives always with a focus on advancing leadership capability, strengthening engagement, and driving sustainable business success.

"At my core, I’m passionate about creating workplaces where culture is intentional, leaders are supported, and people have the space to do their best work." She brands herself as CHRO ►CPO ►Human Resources Executive ►Trusted Executive Advisor ►Leadership & Talent Development ►Change & Transformation ►Strategic Business Partner ►Organizational Development ►Executive Coach ►Strategic People Leader.

Colleen has earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wells College.

Jamie is a Senior Human Resources Business Partner and Manager with high-level business partner skills, currently at Turtle Beach, a leading gaming audio and accessory brand, expanding her experience in the consumer electronics industry. Her core competencies include talent management, employee relations and Human Resources operations.

She has a proven track record of recruiting top talent, creating a positive candidate experience, and advising hiring managers on sourcing and interview strategies. She also directs multi-state payroll using ADP Workforce Now. Additionally, she leverages Microsoft 365, interviewing, and data analytics skills to support organizational goals, optimize HR processes, and foster a productive and inclusive work environment. She is passionate about enhancing employee engagement, promoting organizational culture, and driving business success through effective HR practices.

Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management with a focus in Human Resources Management from Manhattanville College and has been awarded multiple certifications in diversity, inclusion and belonging, managing teams, and high performance habits.

Karen is a strategic, people-focused Human Resources and People Operations leader who loves turning complex challenges into simple, scalable solutions that actually work for people. Known for modernizing systems, strengthening Total Rewards and bringing clarity to fast-moving environments, she blends executive-level strategy with hands-on execution—whether she’s leading a full ADP Workforce Now implementation, redesigning compensation programs, or building data-driven workflows that save teams hours each week.

She is recognized for her calm, steady leadership style and her ability to partner with executives in a way that builds trust, drives results, and protects a strong, healthy culture. Outside of work, Karen is a lifelong learner who enjoys exploring new AI tools, planning memorable family trips, and spending time on the golf course. She also holds her Captain’s license, a testament to her love of the water and her natural instinct to lead, navigate, and keep everything—and everyone—moving smoothly forward.

Karen earned her Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Hartford, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Economics and Math from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She is proud to hold her Masters 50 Ton USCG License - keep sailing!

Neli Gomez is a Human Resources leader passionate about building people first cultures and driving HR transformation in fast growing, dynamic environments. Currently serving as HR Manager at Patriot Pickle, she oversees HR operations across multiple states focusing on employee engagement, compliance, and scalable processes that support both business goals and team well being. She is also a Whine & Dine Networking Leader in Parsippany NJ, where she loves connecting professionals and fostering meaningful relationships.

Neli was honored to be named a 2025 ADP Ambassador Awards Rising Star in HR & Payroll, an achievement that reflects my dedication to innovation and excellence in the HR field. Her background spans food manufacturing, logistics, and retail and she thrives on creating connections that spark collaboration and growth within the HR community.

Additionally, she brands herself as Building People | Architect of Workplace Culture | Leadership with Heart & Hustle💛 | Turning Challenges into Growth 🐦‍🔥 | 2025 ADP Ambassador Winner – HR & Payroll Rising Star 🏆 |2025 HR Like a Boss Award Winner.