Co-Founder and Director of Research at the Vela Institute

Professor of Psychology at Appalachian State University

Dr. Shawn Bergman’s (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-bergman/) work reflects his dedication to use science, psychology, data, and technology to solve organizational problems, help individuals make positive changes, and improve peoples’ lives. He is a Professor of Psychology, the founder and director of the HR Science Research Team, and the co-founder the Center for Analytics Research and Education at Appalachian State University. Shawn is also the co-founder and Research Director at the Vela Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to using evaluation and data to increase educational outcomes. Dr. Bergman has published 46 academic articles, co-authored over 120 professional and technical reports, and given over 150 keynote addresses, invited talks, workshops, and conference presentations and has consulted a number of public and private sector organizations to address pressing issues using data, analytics, and evidence-based practices.

Senior Director | People Analytics at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Rickey Carroll (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickeycarroll/) is a dynamic and strategic HR leader with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries. Currently serving as Sr. Director of People Analytics at SGWS, Rickey brings a unique blend of analytical fluency, business acumen, and people-centric leadership. Known for driving enterprise-wide initiatives, Rickey has led transformative projects in talent strategy, organizational design, and employee engagement. With a strong foundation in data visualization, coaching, and cross-functional collaboration, Rickey has pioneered dashboards, recognition programs, and survey systems that have reshaped HR operations and culture. Rickey’s leadership style is rooted in servant leadership, intentional communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Rickey holds a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology & HR Management and a Master of Business Administration, both from Appalachian State University. He is also SHRM-SCP Certified and recently obtained a Certification in Artificial Intelligence from the Oxford School of Business. Outside of work, Rickey enjoys hiking with family and exploring science fiction.

Director, Talent Development at Merz Aesthetics

Amanda Hutchins (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aehutchins/) believes that confidence is the key to unlocking potential, driving innovation, and achieving excellence within organizations. As Director of Talent Development at Merz Aesthetics, she helps build supportive, enriching environments where individuals and teams can grow. Amanda is known for her ability to connect with people – creating learning experiences that feel personal, inclusive, and inspiring. She leads initiatives that span field sales and corporate roles, blending strategic focus with human-centered design to deliver impactful talent programs.

Amanda is a proud graduate of both Virginia Tech and Appalachian State. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, three-year-old son, and chocolate lab.

HR Manager at Nederman 

Stacey Hussey (https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceyhussey/) is a Nederman HR Manager based in Charlotte, NC. Stacey has over 15 years of experience in human resources management, predominately in the manufacturing and distribution industries. She is most passionate about organizational and leadership development, employee engagement, and change management. Other areas of expertise include strategic HR planning, workplace safety, performance management, and talent acquisition and retention.

 Stacey is a 2011 graduate of the IOHRM Master’s program at Appalachian State University. She also holds both SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certifications.

Executive Director at ApSeed, Early Childhood Education

Dr. Julie Morrow (https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-morrow-05ba1044/) has served as an educator for more than 35 years as a teacher, principal, transformation coach, adjunct professor, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, principal coach, and strategic leader. She has presented and been recognized at local, state, and national levels for her extensive work with school transformation, innovation in instructional design, literacy initiatives, leadership development, Professional Learning Communities, and successful implementation of multiple digital conversions. 

Currently, Dr. Morrow serves as the Executive Director for ApSeed, Early Childhood Education, which is a non-profit organization that provides resources for economically disadvantaged preschool children.

Vice President of Human Capital Management at Implementation Engineers

Dawna Blackburn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawna-blackburn-sphr-shrm-scp-a0b0508/) is a seasoned Human Resources Executive with over 25 years of experience aligning people strategies with business goals to drive performance, culture, and organizational growth. She has led HR strategy in diverse industries including manufacturing, transportation, and consulting, with expertise in talent management, succession planning, benefits/compensation strategy, and organizational change. 

Dawna currently serves as President-Elect of the North Carolina Society for Human Resource Management (NCSHRM), representing 19 chapters statewide, and will assume the role of President in January. 

She is a passionate advocate for building inclusive, engaged workplaces where people and organizations thrive.

Director, Human Resources Business Partner at Cencora

Meaghan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaghanhhansen/) currently serves as the Director of Human Resources Business Partner aligned with the Strategy Enablement Team at Cencora. With a robust background in human resources, she has held various leadership roles within the organization, including HR Business Partner rotations across multiple commercial and functional verticals such as Patient Services, MWI Animal Health, US Supply Chain, and the Legal and Corporate Affairs team. 

In her previous positions, Meaghan played a pivotal role in driving large-scale organizational and operational transformations. She led change management initiatives for the successful implementation of Workday Timekeeping, contributed to HR transformation workstreams, and was instrumental in executing COVID-19 response strategies for the US Cencora workforce.

Prior to her tenure at Cencora, Meaghan worked at CommScope, a leading telecommunications company, where she supported global compensation efforts and was responsible for the strategy and implementation of new compensation software.

Meaghan holds an M.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology and HR Management from Appalachian State University and is certified in Prosci Change Management.

CEO and Talent Pptimization Expert at Optimus Talent Partners

Jodie J. Cunningham (https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimustalentpartners/) is the CEO and talent optimization expert at Optimus Talent Partners. As a Certified Partner with The Predictive Index, she specializes in workforce analytics, which helps organizations get the right people in the right jobs and grow their exceptional talent.

Jodie is also a Talent Strategist and Search Consultant for Kopplin, Kuebler and Wallace, where she provides club leaders with guidance, a framework, and resources to design strong leadership and support teams, select top talent and create productive work environments that maximize business results.

Jodie is a human resources executive with over 20 years of experience, with a background in the hospitality industry as well as professional sports. Jodie earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in Organizational Management at the University of Phoenix.  She has also achieved the highest human resources certifications of SPHR and SHRM-SCP.

President of InfluenceHR Consulting

Leslie Speas (https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-speas/) is a senior-level Human Resources leader who has extensive experience in HR and organizational development over a thirty-plus-year career. She is currently President of InfluenceHR Consulting, a consulting firm that helps busy leaders and HR attract, retain, and develop talented employees. 

Leslie is a past graduate of the IOHRM program at Appalachian State. She holds senior HR designations and certifications including coaching, the Working Genius, the Enneagram assessment, and Talent Management/Succession Planning. She is passionate about helping people meet their full potential and helping organizations facilitate cultures of engagement and well-being. 

Leslie is the author of 7 Habits of High-Retention Managers. She and her husband, Tracy, reside in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Director of People Assistance Programs at MYgroup

Laura Bryan, PhD, LMFT, CEAP (https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bryan-phdlmft/) is the Director of People Assistance Programs at MYgroup. In addition to her 20 years of clinical experience, she is an experienced facilitator who has taught and supervised at Pfeiffer University, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, and Texas Tech University.

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Bryan is a Clinical Fellow with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. In 2013, she was inducted as a member of Delta Kappa, the International Marriage and Family Therapy Honor Society.

Dr. Bryan is a member and Certified Employee Assistance Professional of the International Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) and North Carolina EAPA.

Dr. Bryan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University, and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Furman University.

Sr. Consulate at Hue Capital

Keith Ferguson II (https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithfergusonii/) is a Sr. Consulate at Hue Capital, where he designs and leads innovative talent strategies that accelerate leadership growth and business performance. With deep expertise in human capital, leadership development, and strategic workforce planning, Keith has worked across finance, industrial, and private equity sectors to build high-impact teams that deliver measurable results.

As a Director with the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), Keith champions mentorship, career advancement, and diversity in business leadership. He is currently pursuing his MBA on an executive track, focusing on the intersection of business development, revenue growth, and human capital strategy.

A natural connector and trusted advisor to leaders, Keith is passionate about building relationships that unlock opportunities. He brings a future-focused perspective, integrating data, market insights, and leadership coaching to help organizations and individuals thrive in evolving business landscapes.

Outside of work, Keith is committed to personal excellence, whether training for his next HYROX race, exploring investment opportunities, or inspiring others to reach their fullest potential.

President at WillHouse Global

Dr. William T. Lewis, Sr. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-t-lewis-msw-phd-b545a62b/) is a nationally recognized expert in organizational culture, leadership, and change management. He is the founder of WillHouse Global and co-founder of The Intersection, where he advises institutions and businesses on building cultures of courage, clarity, and belonging.

 A former DEI executive at four major institutions—including Indiana University and Virginia Tech—Dr. Lewis now serves as Senior Consultant for Inclusion and Belonging at ECU Health. His work has earned national recognition, including Manage HR’s Top Diversity and Inclusion Company award and Triad Business Journal’s Diversity Leadership honor.

 Dr. Lewis is the award-winning author of Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie: Conversations with My White Friends about Race and co-author of NADOHE’s Standards of Professional Practice. He also leads community efforts in Winston-Salem, serving on the boards of Bookmarks, United Way, the Black Philanthropy Initiative, and Leadership Winston-Salem.

 As Chief Executive Gopher of his family’s social enterprise, Cam's Coffee Co., Dr. Lewis proudly supports inclusive employment for individuals with disabilities. A Marine Corps veteran, he holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and a Master’s in Social Work—anchoring his work in advocacy, service, and resilience.

Labor and Employment Attorney at FordHarrison

Michael Morrison (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-morrison-ii-3b760886/) is a labor and employment attorney at FordHarrison LLP, based in the firm’s Spartanburg, SC and Asheville, NC offices. Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, with a double minor in History and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Before joining FordHarrison, Michael practiced management-side labor and employment law in the U.S. Virgin Islands and represented employees in North Carolina and South Carolina. His diverse experience on both sides of employment matters allows him to take a holistic, proactive, and practical approach to addressing the evolving challenges of today’s workplace.

Partner at Fisher Phillips 

Bryan Holbrook (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanholbrookemploymentesqva/) is a partner in Fisher Phillips’ Charlotte and McLean offices, where he focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling. His practice includes representing employers in state and federal courts, as well as those with charges pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, and parallel state agencies.

With almost 600 attorneys in 41 offices across the United States and Mexico, Fisher Phillips is an international labor and employment firm providing practical business solutions for employers’ workplace legal problems.  Bryan advises and counsels clients on issues surrounding wage and hour, employment discrimination and harassment, litigation, workplace safety, immigration, trade secrets and non-competes, and more. 

Chief Leadership Strategist & Founder at Solutions Provided, LLC.

Jacquelyn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jkwieland/) specializes in unlocking individual’s innate style so that they can connect, engage, and align with their teams, clients, and organizations to influence strategy and transformational shifts.  As a leadership strategist & speaker who provides executive leadership coaching and team-based coaching with a focus on the development of congruent leadership behaviors that characterize impactful and influential leaders, Jacquelyn brings insight and wisdom to her clients through consulting assignments, coaching, leadership retreats and speaking engagements. Emphasizing presence, effective communication, listening, and relationship building as critical building blocks to leadership success, she advises C-suite and senior leaders in association management & the financial sector of Fortune 300 companies. 

As a Leadership Strategist & speaker who partners with client’s leadership, influencers, & high potentials to transform, align, disrupt, simplify, engage, and enable needed shifts and conversations. Her clients include firms often mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times.

An alumna of Oklahoma State University, Jacquelyn holds an MS in Consumer Behavior and a B.S. in Education from Texas State University.  She holds certifications in Working Genius,Hogan, Birkman Mindset, Lumina Personality Profiles, Facilitation & Birkman Method a behavioral assessment.  Jacquelyn is a NJ Board of Education member and currently serves on the KCDC Board in Kemah, TX.