2025 Conference Session Descriptions

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Breakout & Keynote Session Descriptions

 

Morning Keynote
Session 1 Breakouts
Late Morning Keynote
Session 2 Breakouts
Session 3 Breakouts

Time   Program
7:30 to 8:15   Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15 to 8:30   Welcome
8:30 to 9:30  

 

Morning Keynote

Anne Bonney  - Dancing Through Discomfort, Change and The Messy Middle

Self-leadership, resilience, and the power of community are the three key elements that can transform your life both personally and professionally. To become a game-changer, you must first lead yourself effectively, taking control of your actions and decisions. Resilience is also crucial, as it allows you to overcome obstacles and setbacks and stay focused on your goals.

However, no one can achieve greatness alone, and that’s where the power of community comes in. When you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who support and challenge you, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible. 

Becoming a true “Game Changer” requires that one focus on developing their self-leadership skills, cultivating resilience, and building strong relationships within your community.

Key Program Takeaways Include:

  • Self-Leadership Discovery: Uncover potential, understand key principles, and gain confidence to lead your life
  • Game Changer Mindset: Embrace challenges for growth and resilience, transforming setbacks into stepping stones
  • Resilience Recipe: Learn ingredients for resilience, bounce back from adversity, manage stress, and stay positive
  • Cultivating Resilience: Access practical strategies for adapting to change, thriving in uncertainty
  • Meaningful Connections: Harness community power, build uplifting relationships, inspire and support others
Anne Bonney is a fun, energetic international motivational keynote speaker and trainer.  She is also an authority on Change Management, author of 2 books on embracing the discomforts of change, podcast host of Dancing in the Discomfort Zone Podcast, and an experienced in-person, virtual and hybrid workshop facilitator. After 20 years in highly successful corporate ad non-profit leadership positions, Anne, now uses her experience, education, and expertise to ignite YOUR Courage, Confidence and Resilience in the face of the discomfort of change, courageous communication and emotional intelligence. You’d better turn on the AC because this “ball of fire” will light you up with fun and relevant stories, time-tested knowledge and immediately applicable strategies to make a difference for you, your team, and your organization.  This spunky little redhead shares business lessons from her crazy life experiences, which arms her with relatable and hilariously memorable stories from growing up overseas, running international marathons, animal training, morale building tours to the military in Iraq, volunteering at an elephant sanctuary and singing opera at a performing arts school and yes- there’s more.  You won’t want to miss Anne’s session as Anne is a mindset shifting motivator who fires people up to catalyze powerful change in their lives, their teams and their organizations.   
 
9:30 to 9:45   Break

9:45 to 11:00		  

Breakout Session 1

1-A From DEI to Belonging: Shaping the Future of Workplace Culture,
Beth Ridley, Ridley Consultants

Successful workplaces harness diversity as a strength and create opportunities for everyone to succeed based on their unique needs. While these core diversity, equity, and inclusion values remain essential for building strong organizations, skepticism and budget cuts have recently slowed the momentum of DEI programs. To reignite progress, we must focus on the foundation of what enables all individuals and teams to excel—belonging!
 
This workshop examines the evolution of DEI and the rising importance of belonging in shaping workplace culture. Participants will explore what belonging truly means, how it expands on DEI principles, what the latest research reveals about its benefits, and actionable strategies to foster belonging in their organizations. By the end of the session, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to contribute to a workplace culture of belonging where every individual feels valued and collaboration and engagement flourish.  
 
Key Takeaways

  • A Look Back and Forward: Gain an understanding of DEI’s evolution and the challenges and opportunities shaping its future.  Explore how belonging enhances DEI principles and fuels thriving workplace cultures.  
  • Research-Backed Insights: Examine data on the tangible benefits of belonging, including engagement, innovation, and retention.  
  • Practical Tools for Leaders: Learn actionable strategies to embed inclusive behaviors into daily interactions to foster belonging at work. 

  •  
Beth Ridley is a leadership expert, workplace culture consultant and speaker. Beth combines 30 years of global leadership and management consulting experience with expertise in inclusion and belonging and positive psychology to help organizations strengthen their workplace culture. Beth’s work is featured in national publications and she frequently delivers keynotes and workshops at events around the world. 
 
Beth holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Virginia, an MA in International Relations from Tufts University and an MBA from Columbia University. Beth has lived in London, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Bangkok and now resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with her husband and three children.

 
 
1-B 3 Keys to Conflict Resolution: Becoming Neutral, Calm, and Perceptive,  
Kate Zurn, Resolution Center, Inc. 

Most relationships experience conflict, and this is especially true in the workplace. Conflict there may look like formal reports, gossip, contentious encounters, toxic behavior, etc. Regardless of how conflict shows up in your workplace, you have an important role: to help resolve conflicts in a way that uplifts everyone involved and genuinely strengthens your organization.

But how do you do that? How do you uplift everyone when your role is inherently biased to support one side of the dispute? How do you preserve your ability to de-escalate a situation when you do not feel calm yourself? And how do you successfully navigate the messy history of a conflict, so relationships can truly transform for the better?

This breakout session will explore these difficult questions and impart you with perspectives and skills to help you compassionately resolve conflicts in your workplace – and your life.

Learning Objectives:
  • How to become balanced when your role is inherently not neutral
  • How to stay calm while caring deeply
  • How to resolve disputes and begin to transform interpersonal conflict

Kate Zurn is the Executive Director of the Resolution Center, a nonprofit which mediates court and community conflicts, provides conflict resolution training, and offers fulfilling opportunities to volunteer as a mediator. She is a trained and experienced mediator as well as a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt process improvement leader. As a facilitator, trainer, and coach, she has helped people collaboratively create resolutions in the court, nonprofit, business, and manufacturing environments.
Her “why” is to improve the lives of others by guiding and empowering people to come together and peacefully create a better, shared tomorrow - in both communities and organizations.
She summarizes herself as a (1) compassionate listener: who listens to understand, empathize, and respond with compassion (2) servant leader: who dedicates herself to leading with her heart and mind to improve the lives of others (3) transformational leader: who both envisions better and achieves better with her team (4) lifelong learner: who has undaunted curiosity for this world, especially for new frontiers.
 

1-C Wisconsin Employee Benefit Trends
Joey Backus, Cottingham & Butler

During this session, we will discuss key trends related to Employee Benefits and Total Rewards programs.  This will incorporate broad categories such as cost pressures, recent compliance changes / potential legislation, coverage and provider access, new benefits, and even how employers are evaluating what employees value most.  This session will tie into several SHRM “BoCKs” such as Total Rewards, Retention, Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion, Risk Management, and HR Strategy.

Attendees of this program will:

  • Understand Key Drivers of Cost within Healthcare Market
  • How to evaluate / analyze where opportunity exists?  Along with strategies to address this opportunity.
  • How to evaluate what Employees both value and need most?
  • Unique Market Solutions to give people what they want, while ensuring their needs are met.
Joey Backus, Vice President within Cottingham & Butler’s Employee Benefits Consulting Services and has been on the team for 9 years. Joey serves as the Membership Chair at MMSHRM and is on this same committee for GMA SHRM. He focuses in on what employees truly value most, how employers can most effectively retain / attract talent, and how to best set up Employee Benefits to take care of people.
 
 11:00 to 11:15   Break 
 

11:15 to 12:15		  

 

Late Morning Keynote

Anne Bonney - Igniting Your Influence: Firing Up Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is a huge buzzword these days, and it’s a good thing, because studies have shown that it is the number one predictor of success on the job.  The beauty is, it is a skill that can be improved throughout a leader's career.
In this high-energy, interactive virtual or live presentation, Change Management Authority and Leadership expert Anne Bonney lights up the concepts of EQ in a simple way.  She fuels your fire with immediately applicable tactics to ignite your EQ so, as a leader, you can better develop your team and your organization.  In this content-rich and engaging presentation, you will be challenged with techniques to regulate your reactions in the midst of difficult situations so your teams will want to give you their all!  What follows? Goals achieved and results secured.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Uplevel your employee engagement for increased productivity and net results in times of transition
  • Empower your workforce to be even more competent and capable in today’s fast-paced, change-scorched business environment
  • Upgrade empathy and patience for improving the quality of constructive, results-oriented conversations

 
 12:15 to 1:15   Lunch, Announcements and Recognition

Hot buffet lunch with gluten free and vegetarian options available. 
Please contact GMA SHRM with any dietary requirements.
 

1:15 to 2:30		  


Breakout Session 2

 

2-A   Beyond Busy: How Leaders Create Focused and Fulfilled Teams,  
Jenna Piche, First Light Time Management Coaching 

“Busy” is not a badge of honor—it’s a sign of misaligned priorities and exhausted teams. As a leader, your habits, communication, and vision set the tone for your team’s focus, productivity, and fulfillment. But how do you shift from managing tasks to inspiring purpose-driven results?
In this dynamic and actionable session, we’ll uncover the strategies behind creating a workplace culture where focus thrives, personal growth is prioritized, and team members feel empowered to achieve shared goals. From modeling time habits that honor boundaries to fostering clarity in priorities, you’ll learn how to lead with intention and cultivate an environment where both people and productivity flourish.

This isn’t just about better time management—it’s about leadership transformation that moves your team from busywork to brilliance.

Key Takeaways:
  • The Priority Filter: Learn a simple framework for helping your team identify what deserves their focus, ensuring alignment with both personal and organizational goals.
  • The Plate Reset Conversation: Gain strategies to guide team members in renegotiating priorities, setting clear timelines, and avoiding burnout.
  • The Focus Zone Blueprint: Implement a system for carving out dedicated, interruption-free work time that empowers your team to deliver their best work.

Jenna Piche is a time management expert and Full Focus Certified Pro, renowned for helping overwhelmed professionals regain control of their schedules and improve their productivity. With over 20 years of experience in corporate marketing and functional health, Jenna has a unique ability to blend practical strategies with deep mindset work. Her clients, from public health departments and serial entrepreneurs to large organizations, consistently report reduced stress, improved workflows, and the ability to focus on what matters most.

Jenna’s proven systems have helped teams across various industries streamline their operations and thrive in high-pressure environments. Her approach is direct, actionable, and results-driven, offering a perfect balance of structure and support. Jenna doesn’t just train teams—she transforms how they operate, making her the best in the world at empowering leaders to work smarter without sacrificing well-being.

 

 

2-B Beyond the Numbers: Navigating Compensation Conversations with Confidence 
- Charyl Updtegraw,  QTI Group and Brittany Hanson, Park Bank

Compensation strategies may look perfect on paper, but bringing them to life within an organization requires thoughtful communication and strategic leadership. HR professionals often find themselves answering tough questions from both employees and executives: Why did my salary change? How was this decision made? What does this mean for my future? In this session, we will explore best practices for managing the compensation narrative—translating complex data into clear, compelling messages that build trust, transparency, and alignment. Co-presented with a client who has navigated this process firsthand, this session will equip HR professionals with the tools to lead effective, informed compensation discussions.

Attendees of this program will:
  • Learn how to craft and deliver clear compensation messages that resonate with employees and leadership.
  • Understand key strategies for managing employee and executive reactions to compensation decisions.
  • Explore real-world examples of successful compensation communication and gain actionable insights for your own organization.
     
Charyl is a Senior Consultant with over 20 years of HR experience ranging from recruitment, benefits, HRIS, and HR Business Partner, but has specialized in compensation for over 19 of those years.  Charyl enjoys helping organizations achieve their compensation objectives through market pricing, structure development, and ultimately education to leaders and employees to carry out those philosophies. Charyl’s career extends beyond QTI, having previously worked for Lands’ End, where she most recently was the Senior Manager, leading the compensation and HRIS team. Charyl spent most of her compensation career at UW Health in Madison, WI, where she worked as a Compensation Analyst, Senior Compensation Analyst, Compensation Manager and HR Business Partner. Charyl started her HR career with Schwan’s Home Delivery as a Human Resources Generalist. Charyl received her Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and is a HR Certification Institute Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

Brittany Hanson is the AVP of HR Operations at Park Bank in Madison, WI, and oversees the day-to-day HR operations at the bank.  Brittany has been a SHRM volunteer leader for many years, holding various roles with the GMA SHRM Board of Directors including Chapter President in 2020.  Brittany now serves on the WI SHRM State Council as a District Director. Brittany has been in HR for over 15 years, beginning her HR career in a student HR role while in undergrad at UW-Madison.  Prior to Park Bank, Brittany worked in Talent Acquisition at UW Credit Union, and as the HR Manager at Senior Helpers.  Brittany is a certified Crucial Conversations facilitator, and a Certified Yoga Teacher who teaches hot yoga in her free time, as well as facilitates an 'HR Basics for Non-HR Professionals' course through the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center.  
 
 

 



 

2-C Employment Law Update, 
Brian Goodman and Storm Larson, Boardman Clark 

Legal issues surrounding employment continue to evolve, even with a divided government at the state and local level.  Recent regulatory developments and court decisions continue to impact the workplace.  HR professionals need to keep abreast of these changes and assess how these changes might impact their organization going forward.
 
The Annual Employment Law Update will provide an overview of developments in several major areas of employment law and will help you identify the issues you need to know to be an effective business partner in your organization.  This information–packed session will leave you better equipped to assess your organization’s needs with respect to employment law compliance.  

Participants will learn:
  1. Key federal and state legislative and regulatory developments; 
  2. New regulations and administrative guidance relating to wage and hours; and
  3. How recent judicial cases might affect your practices regarding discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and more.
2:45 - 4:00  

Breakout Session 3

 

3-A   There’s No Neutral in Trust: 3 Key Strategies for Forward Movement ,  
Dr. Teresa Peterson, The Noll Wilson Group 

Everyone agrees that trust is an essential component of effective partnerships. But for some team members, trust building feels abstract, soft, or even “squishy”. Often, we see teams attempt to build trust in ways that do not address the root causes of low or conditional trust, which can backfire and cause unintentional harm.  Combining the neuroscience of trust with her work with dozens of teams on building and rebuilding relationships, Dr. Teresa Peterson will share framework for understanding and analyzing trust, lead participants through a trust audit, and share strategies to create forward movement. 

Key Takeaways
  1. Examine a framework for understanding the core elements of trust 
  2. Conduct a personal trust audit that can be used with individuals or teams 
  3. Explore three key strategies to build, sustain, or rebuild trust 


Dr. Teresa Peterson is the Director of Learning and Development at The Noll Wilson Group, co-author of the Don’t Feed the Elephants workbook, and contributor to Harvard Business Review. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, facilitation, and leadership, Teresa specializes in designing and delivering transformative learning experiences that helps leaders show up more powerfully for the people they serve.  

Teresa holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and certifications in Conflict Resolution (Cornell University), Immunity to Change Coaching, and Appreciative Inquiry. Her deep expertise allows her to craft thoughtful, accessible programs that help individuals and teams surface hidden dynamics, build trust, and strengthen collaboration. 

Known for her grounded presence, masterful facilitation, and ability to listen deeply, Teresa brings both clarity and care to her work. Whether co-creating learning content or leading interactive sessions, she equips leaders with the tools and confidence to tackle complex challenges and create lasting change.  
 

 

 

3-B Utilizing Data to Build an Effective Talent Strategy -
Erin Larson, ADP

Attendees will learn:
  • Benefits and impact of utilizing data to build an effective talent strategy and how to customize those strategies to your workforce. We will also discuss why the traditional approach (without data/ canned approach) falls short.
  • Specific talent metrics and data to review and then how to make strategic, data driven decisions based on those metrics. We will break the employee lifecycle up into three buckets; Attracting Talent, Engaging Talent, and Retaining talent. We will look at metrics in all three of those buckets to help companies build a comprehensive talent strategy.
  • How to utilize data to predict future talent needs and discuss the challenges that can also come with utilizing data in a talent strategy.
Erin Larson has a passion for all things talent and has spent most of her career building and executing talent strategies for companies of all sizes and industries. Erin has been at ADP for almost 6 years and has spent the last 3 years bringing her talent passion to life through her role as Senior Program Manager over talent in Comprehensive Services. Prior to ADP, Larson worked as a recruitment marketing Account Executive for Gannett/ USA Today. There, she gained several years of experience and knowledge understanding the talent landscape and how to set companies up for success to meet their talent goals.
 

 




 

3-C Employment Law Update
Brian Goodman and Storm Larson, Boardman Clark 

Legal issues surrounding employment continue to evolve, even with a divided government at the state and local level.  Recent regulatory developments and court decisions continue to impact the workplace.  HR professionals need to keep abreast of these changes and assess how these changes might impact their organization going forward.
 
The Annual Employment Law Update will provide an overview of developments in several major areas of employment law and will help you identify the issues you need to know to be an effective business partner in your organization.  This information–packed session will leave you better equipped to assess your organization’s needs with respect to employment law compliance.  

Participants will learn:
  1. Key federal and state legislative and regulatory developments; 
  2. New regulations and administrative guidance relating to wage and hours; and
  3. How recent judicial cases might affect your practices regarding discrimination, harassment, disabilities, and more.





 
 

 
 4:00 to 5:00   Networking Reception
     




 

 

 

 

 


 

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