International experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, and author

Kalifa Oliver, Ph.D. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalifaoliver/) is an international experience coach, executive advisor, keynote speaker, author, and expert on building brilliant experiences using people-centered design and analytics. She has consulted for several companies and industries including tech start-ups, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies to help them reposition their culture and employer value proposition - with a focus on employee experience and people analytics. She is also a dynamic speaker who coaches leaders on reaching their leadership goals through taking control of their voice, space, and energy, and through walking into their Main Character Season. She is the author of I Think I Love My Job: Secrets to Designing a People-Centered Employer Value Proposition (That You Can Actually Boast About) a must read book for professionals and executives connected to the HR space.

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Oliver has her Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Clemson University, Certification in People Analytics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is a proud graduate of Benedict College, an HBCU in Columbia, South Carolina.

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. 

VP, Global Compensation Operations at Marriott International

Kea Kerich (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kea-sherwood-kerich-a4361114/) is a leader known for driving innovation and efficiency in HR business processes with over 15 years of experience in the HR and Technology field. As VP of Global Compensation Operations at Marriott International, she leads strategic initiatives to utilize technology to further increase employee engagement, optimize talent management, and streamline HR processes.  In previous roles with Marriott, Kea led the Learning HR Technology and Reporting team and managed the company’s first HR Analytics tool and automated dashboards. She also has extensive experience partnering with 3rd party vendors (e.g. SAP and Oracle) and executing numerous large-scale HR Technology implementations for over 700,000 associates.

Kea holds a MA degree in I/O Psychology and HRM from Appalachian State University and a BS in Psychology from Davidson College.  She lives in Charlotte, NC and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her 3 children and husband, daily workouts (running/biking), listening to music (afrobeat’s is always a favorite!) and traveling.

Senior Analyst Organizational Effectiveness at Home Depot

Donovan Mattox (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ddm90/) is currently serving as a Senior Analyst in Organizational Effectiveness at The Home Depot. With several years of experience in Human Resources and more than four years in analytics and research, Donovan has a proven track record of transforming complex problems into actionable solutions that benefit a wide range of stakeholders.

Donovan's expertise extends to coordinating team efforts during new client transitions, ensuring project deadlines are met even in post-disruption scenarios. His ability to synthesize data and provide insightful analysis has been instrumental in maintaining project timelines and delivering high-quality outcomes.

Donovan is a former Assistant Director of the HR Science Research Team at Appalachian State University, where he played a pivotal role in advancing analytics and organizational research. His work included identifying and addressing pain points in various internal processes, such as volunteer recruitment and lack of organizational documentation and policies, and developed effective solutions which lead the foundation for HR Science’s current success.

Donovan holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is a certified SHRM-CP. His dedication to research and practical application in the field of HR makes him a valuable asset to any organization and a sought-after expert in his domain.

People Analytics Consultant at NiSource

Annie Jankura (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniejaglic/) is a People Analytics Consultant at NiSource, where she creates data-driven insights that enable leaders and HR teammates to make strategic decisions, optimize workforce performance, and cultivate a positive employee experience. She enjoys leveraging her prior experience as a Learning Consultant to build analyses and self-service dashboards that are intuitive and easy to understand, making it simple for others to access, interpret, and act on information. 

 Annie has a M.A. in I/O Psychology & HR Management from Appalachian State University, a B.S. in Psychology from Kent State University, and a SHRM-CP certification. She lives in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she enjoys scuba diving and running with her dog (Todd Chavez).

Manager - People Advisory Services at EY

Adeline Brooks (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelinebrooks/) is a seasoned organizational design expert and Manager at EY, with over 7 years of experience driving large-scale organizational transformations, mergers and acquisitions, and systems implementations. Her expertise spans organizational design, talent planning, change management, and team leadership.

Adeline has a proven track record of delivering results-driven solutions for clients across various industries, including healthcare and finance. Her achievements include leading organizational design and talent planning processes for major healthcare acquisitions, developing change management programs for enterprise-wide transformations, and providing strategic guidance on organizational design and talent management.

Adeline holds a Master's degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also a certified Prosci Change Management professional.

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, HR Business Partner at Reynolds American

Morgan Powers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganrjpowers/) is a Director HR & People Operations Partner with a background in leadership coaching, employee relations, talent and performance management, and HR process optimization. She works closely with leaders across the organization to drive a people-first approach, leading the strategic implementation of the HR agenda for the functions she supports.

Morgan’s career is concentrated in the CPG space, and she currently sits as Director HRBP Marketing for Reynolds American Inc. For the last several years, she has served multiple functions, as well as Research & Development and Corporate, in the business partner space. Morgan is an alumnus of the IOHRM Masters Program at App State and, in support of the program, co-founded the IOHRM Professional Foundation sitting on its board of directors. She spends her free time mentoring students at local universities who are pursuing HR and Psychology careers, and is loving life in Winston-Salem, NC where she resides with her husband and their three children.

Business Intelligence Analyst at Equitable

Galen Williams (https://www.linkedin.com/in/galen-williams-5ba21813/) is a Business Intelligence analyst at Equitable, a financial services company with a 160-year legacy of helping people with financial advice, protection, and retirement decisions. Galen plays a crucial role in leveraging data analytics to provide valuable insights and reporting on various aspects of the employee experience and employment lifecycle.

Having celebrated his 25th anniversary with Equitable in March, Galen brings a wealth of experience to his role. His prior experiences as a manager, trainer, Six Sigma Black Belt, and business analyst have equipped him with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of various business functions. This enables him to approach data analysis from a holistic perspective by combining his understanding of the operations together with the data to bring insights to life.

Galen is a proud graduate of Appalachian State University, with a major in Business Administration and an emphasis in Management.  He is also the current co-chair of the Equitable Military Appreciation Network employee resource group, an active member of the Sons of The American Legion, an Eagle Scout, and avid lover of anything outdoors.  He lives in Monroe, North Carolina with his wife, who went on their first date together after a Friday morning class at Appalachian.

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 MGC, 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

David Klass (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-klass-b2b69316/)  is a partner at Fisher & Phillips Charlotte office, focusing on employment matters in state and federal courts, as well as OSHA and MSHA cases. He has been featured in publications like SHRM and Bloomberg for his expertise in wage issues and workplace safety.

David prioritizes client service and responsiveness, providing efficient legal advice by understanding his clients’ businesses. As a trial attorney, he has extensive experience in jury trials, bench trials, federal and state courts, administrative hearings, and arbitration. His litigation practice includes defending employers against FLSA collective actions, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination claims, and Section 1983 claims.

Additionally, David advises on employment policies, handbooks, and restrictive covenants (non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements). He helps employers with compliance on wage, discrimination, retaliation, and family and medical leave issues.

In workplace safety, David assists with creating safety programs, adhering to DOT regulations, and complying with OSHA and ISO 45001 standards. He also defends companies during OSHA, MSHA, and NRC inquiries and inspections, aiming to prevent citations and enforcement actions. If needed, he represents employers in related administrative proceedings.

President of With the Current Solutions

Lauren Hoffman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/withthecurrentlaurenhoffman/) is a dynamic HR professional turned transformational coach, founder of With the Current Solutions, and a champion for empowering individuals and organizations alike. With over a decade of experience in human resources, Lauren combines her expertise in leadership, mental fitness, and data-driven strategies to help clients unlock their potential and thrive in times of change.

Certified in multiple behavioral and personality assessments, Lauren specializes in coaching ambitious women, HR professionals, and leaders who want to align purpose, passion, and performance. Known for her engaging communication style and innovative thinking, Lauren inspires others to embrace their unique strengths and confidently navigate life’s challenges.

Based in Miami, Lauren envisions a future filled with impactful keynotes, transformative workshops, and a mission to help others create lasting change.

Lauren is a proud alumnus of both Western Carolina University and Appalachian State University. She prides herself on being a lifelong learner, explorer, and adventurer.

Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition Programs at HD Supply

Alanna Dingler (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alannacremo/) serves as a Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition Programs for HD Supply in Atlanta. Alanna is an enthusiastic and passionate HR professional with a track record of successful contributions in various areas of human resources including training & development, learning, organizational development, performance management and talent acquisition. In her current role she supports the business in building out talent pipelines for the business in Early Career, Veterans and DEI.  She finds greatest success in helping individuals achieve their goals.  When Alanna’s not busy at career fairs, internship events and strategizing for future pipelines, she likes to spend time with her three children and husband.

Ron Garrow (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rgarrow/) is an executive leader who brings expertise in managing and communicating change to employees and facilitating initiatives that ensure organizations remain aligned with overall goals. 

At Gartner, Ron worked with Chief Human Resources Officers [CHROs] in financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and manufacturing to advance mission-critical priorities. As a single source of knowledge and insight, his work has been instrumental in advising clients in preparation for board presentations and engagement. Under his leadership, clients credit Ron with guaranteeing that HR is viewed and contributing as a strategic business partner.

During his previous position with PPD, where Ron served as CHRO, he provided HR oversight and support for 30,000+ employees in 98 offices across 47 countries. He was a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive committee and a member of the board’s HR and compensation committee. Among his achievements, Ron transformed HR into a strategic role. In partnership with finance and legal, he led initiatives to take the company public in 2020. He also diversified the workforce and built the company’s capability in key markets, including China and India.

Earlier, Ron served as the CHRO with Belk, working closely with the CEO on margin improvements, inventory, and private brand growth. For publicly traded MasterCard, Ron maintained accountability for global human resources in 210 countries. His work was exceptional; he transformed the HR team, implemented Workday, modernized the benefits plan, and worked closely with the CEO to overhaul the culture and company into a respected technology brand in global payments.

For nearly six years, Ron worked at Bank of America, where he was promoted to Senior Vice President based on his ongoing contributions to the HR function. With a team of 1100+ global training professionals and a $225M budget, Ron facilitated talent planning and leadership development. Earlier, Ron developed his skills with Wachovia Corporation, holding numerous positions of increasing levels of leadership. In 2010, the company garnered recognition as one of Training Magazine’s Top 125.

Ron is currently an Advisory Council Member for Lovell Minnick Partners and an Operating Partner for the Vistria Group. Ron is also a member of the board of trustees of the Gray Stone Day School and a former member of Pfeiffer University’s board of trustees and Network for Teaching Entrepreneurs. He completed his Master of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina. He resides in Kure Beach, NC.

President and Founder of Plan to Action

Sertrice Shipley (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sertrice/) is the Founder of Plan to Action, a DEI consulting firm and the co-author of Inclusalytics. Prior to Plan To Action, she made significant contributions as Co-Owner & Chief Consulting Officer of Mattingly Solutions. Her dynamic consulting has benefited clients like NAWBO, Koppers, and American Humane, delivering DEI solutions ranging from assessment to strategic planning. Sertrice has been invited to speak at prominent events like SHRM, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and various city Chamber events.

She is also deeply committed to community service and holds various board positions. Sertrice is located in Raleigh, NC with her husband Abraham and dog Winston.