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2024 Speakers

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David Archer

David Archer served as the longest-tenured Ivy League Football Coach in the history of Cornell University despite never having a winning season. Because of his relationship building and strong team culture, his teams met or outperformed expectations during 90%of his seasons. They beat the League Champions two of the last four years, and pulled off what many call the greatest upset in Ivy League history! Dubbed “The People’s Coach” by the Cornell Daily Sun, Archer is a lifelong overachiever (when he was hired at age 30, he was the youngest coach in Division 1 football) and has compiled the best lessons that he taught and learned from his team. His high energy and fast-paced, passionate presentation will serve as a great kickoff to this year's conference!

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Andrea Chatfield, Esq.

Andrea advises employers on risk management issues in the workplace and represents employers of all types and sizes before administrative agencies in discrimination, whistleblower, unemployment, and wage disputes. She conducts in-house trainings for employers and serves as an outside investigator for employers who need to respond to highly sensitive internal complaints. Andrea is a frequent public speaker on employment law topics. She is admitted to practice in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and she has earned an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell. Andrea is listed in Chambers USA as one of the leading employment lawyers in New Hampshire and in Best Lawyers of America® for Employment Law – Management. Andrea received the 2022 Ry Perry HR Hero Award at the Granite State HR Conference. In addition, she is the Government Relations & Legislative Chair for the HR State Council of New Hampshire. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the HR/Healthcare/Workforce Development Committee for the Business & Industry Association of NH, and was awarded with a 2022 Above & Beyond Award for her work in advancing the BIA’s mission.

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Adam Hamel

Adam is a director in McLane Middleton’s Litigation Department and chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group, concentrating his practice in the areas of business, employment and probate litigation. Adam regularly assists clients on a variety of commercial and employment litigation matters, including claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and violations of restrictive covenants. Adam also has extensive experience working on will contests, fiduciary litigation and guardianships. Adam received his J.D., magna cum laude, from New England Law / Boston in 2005. Admissions Adam is admitted to practice in the State and Federal Courts in Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. While in law school, Adam was the Editor-in-Chief of the New England Law Review, and served as an intern for Justice Robert J. Cordy of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and for Justice Margot Botsford, then of the Massachusetts Superior Court

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James McKim

James McKim is the Managing Partner of Organizational Ignition, a Management Consulting practice. He is a sought-after organizational performance speaker, coach, change manager, and author of the best-selling book The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance. Over his 35+ year career, he has helped small and large organizations, for-profit and nonprofit, ignite efficiency and growth through the aligning of people, process, and technology. Mr. McKim is known internationally for his current focus on organizational and individual performance through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He is recognized by industry watchers such as Atd, Brandon Hall, Bersin Associates, Axelos, and PMI for his dedication to creating win-win situations between organizations and their employees. In addition to founding 2 companies, he has held senior leadership roles at or worked with organizations such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fidelity, Dartmouth Hitchcock, and the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education in defining and executing strategic plans with an eye toward organizational performance. As the Chair of the Episcopal Church’s National Executive Council Committee Anti-Racism & Reconciliation, Mr. McKim was the principal writer of the church's guidelines on anti-racism and reconciliation. As President of the Manchester Branch of the NAACP, he works regularly with governments and businesses to eliminate discrimination. He is a frequent conference presenter, a guest on radio and television shows, serves as Chair of the Finance Committee of the NH PBS Board of Directors, and delights in being the vocalist for the jazz band The Episcocats."

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Dr. Russ Ouellette

Dr. Russ Ouellette is a recognized expert in high performance coaching, executive leadership, and organizational development. He brings to his clients a vast background of industry and functional diversity, a Doctorate in Management and a certificate in Coaching from the Coaches Training Institute. Currently, Russ manages Sojourn Partners, an executive coaching firm in Bedford New Hampshire. Russ’s consulting centers on executive performance, firm motivation, planning and organizational change.

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Brooke Sullivan

Brooke Sullivan is a dynamic and visionary leader with a proven track record of driving talent acquisition strategies and fostering a people-first culture within organizations. With over a decade of experience in human resources and talent management, Brooke is committed to empowering teams, creating vibrant company cultures, and delivering exceptional results. She is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. At Hyperproof a Seattle-based software start-up, Brooke continues to shape the future of talent and people management, driving innovation and excellence every day.

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Kristen Welch, CFRE

Kristen Welch, CFRE, is the Director of Development at NAMI New Hampshire (National Alliance on Mental Illness), where she oversees all fundraising operations for the organization. Her career in fundraising for mental health and suicide prevention spans over 20 years, having previously served as Director of Development and Communications at two of New Hampshire's community mental health centers. Kristen serves as Immediate Past President of the Northern New England Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and has been a proud AFP member since 2015. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the NH and VT Council of Charitable Gift Planners. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kristen is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. She earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive certification in 2016. Kristen lives in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and enjoys trail and road running, visiting NH’s lakes and beaches, yoga, and baking.

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Brian Bouchard

Brian is a seasoned litigator and counselor at Sheehan Phinney in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he works in the firm’s litigation and employment law departments. In the labor and employment field particularly, Brian counsels and represents companies through all manner of complexities, including claims involving discrimination, retaliation, and wage and hour violations; questions involving employee management, executive contracts, employee mobility; and legal compliance. Brian’s clients range from VC backed tech companies in Boston, to small rum distilleries on the Seacoast, and everything in between. Brian has written and lectured on legal topics throughout New England and is never unimpressed by the complex issues facing employers, businesses, and individuals on a daily basis.

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Matt Glowacki

Matt Glowacki has delivered messages of diversity to over a million people and two sitting presidents of the United States. He also has had the honor of being the most-booked diversity speaker on college campuses for the past 10 years. Matt’s presentations teach students how to find happiness, develop better understanding of social justice and diversity, and how to see potential in themselves while overcoming personal disabilities and challenges. Voted Campus Activities Magazine’s Best Speaker and Best Diversity Artist, Matt would be the perfect fit for educational events and workshops.

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Liz Hodgkins

Liz Hodgkins, CVA, is the Director or Adult Programs at the NAMI, New Hampshire Chapter (National Alliance on Mental Illness). In this role, she works with staff and grassroots volunteers to provide statewide support, education, and advocacy programming for individuals and families impacted by mental illness and suicide. For the past decade, Liz has worked to strategically plan, design, and lead volunteer driven programs. Earning her certificate in Volunteer Administration, Liz is a proud member of the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Administration and is dedicated to best practices in volunteer leadership. Although her roots formed outside of NH, after 23 years she now considers herself a Granite Stater where she appreciates the beauty of each season, trying to spend as much time as she can outdoors – The While Mountains or Squam Lake are among her favorite spots.

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Catherine Mirabile

Catharine is the Chief Human Resources Officer at CGI Business Solutions and President of CGI’s HR Consulting Division and has over 25 years of experience in the Human Resources field. In addition to her CHRO role, she currently manages the HR Consulting Division of CGI, which includes compliance, benefits administration and human resources solutions for CGI’s clients. She has a diverse background in the area of human resources, including compliance, staffing, employee relations, training, benefits, compensation and payroll. Catharine has utilized these skills in a variety of industries including banking, manufacturing, and technology firms. She has served in a variety of volunteer leadership roles in her local chapter, on the state and national level with SHRM and recently served as the Northeast Membership Advisory Council (MAC) Representative, representing eleven states within the Northeast region. Her other volunteer roles include being Past-Director for the HR State Council of New Hampshire, the President of NAPBA (National Association of Professional Benefits Administrators) and is a on the Board of Trustees with Catholic Charities New Hampshire. In addition, Catharine is heavily involved with workplace advocacy efforts with SHRM, serving as an Advocacy Captain. Catharine has her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from the University of Central Florida and is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) as well as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

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Ryan Robinson

Ryan Robinson, is the Executive Senior Partner for Mainstay Technologies. With +15 years of experience of setting SMBs up for success, Ryan has been instrumental to the growth of Mainstay, the largest independently owned Managed Service & Security Provider (MSSP) in New England. Ryan’s experience as a senior executive is instrumental in helping SMBs better align goals and missions while keeping their IT objectives clear and attainable. His engaging speaking-style, trust, and expertise has made him a valuable business resource in an ever-changing technical landscape.

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Johnny C. Taylor

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. is President and Chief Executive Officer of the SHRM (pronounced “SHERM”). Mr. Taylor’s career spans more than 20 years as a lawyer and an executive with not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, including IAC, Paramount Pictures, Blockbuster Entertainment Group and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, among others. He has served as chairman of the President's Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and on the White House American Workforce Policy Advisory Board. He is a Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, the University of Miami; Independent Director of the Flores & Associates corporate board and member of the corporate boards of Guild Education, and XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO). Mr. Taylor is a weekly contributor to USA Today, a Fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources and a SHRM Certified Professional.

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Beverly "Bev" Widger

Beverly (Bev) Widger is a seasoned HR professional with over 30 years of experience in management and human resources. Since retiring from her position as Chief HR Officer at Mascoma Bank, she started her own HR consulting business, HRXperienced, focusing on small businesses and non-profits. She specializes in people-focused solutions in recruitment at the executive and management levels, talent management, HR operations, coaching/mentoring, HR audits, and investigations. Her mission is to empower emerging and growing organizations with the essential HR tools and people they need to thrive. As a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and a Certified PI Talent Optimization Strategist, Bev's expertise is backed by certifications, professional affiliations, and a strong commitment to human resources. Bev was a one of the founders of RVHRA. www.hrxperienced.com

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Kristen Butterfield-Ferrell

Kristen Butterfield-Ferrell has worked in higher education for 10 years in various roles. She received her Master of Education in Psychological Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2013, which had a focus on racial-cultural competency. She worked at the University of New Hampshire in Admissions and then Honors Program academic advising before joining Manchester Community College as the Student Support Counselor. At UNH Kristen co-led trainings through a program called Social Justice Educators, and worked on various teams initiating efforts to increase diversity, equity and inclusion at UNH, as well as led facilitated discussions in the broader NH community through the Race and Equity Series in NH through the Endowment for Health. At MCC she is part of the DEI committee, and is also a New Hampshire Listens Fellow through the Carsey School of Public Policy, which helps communities come together to have difficult conversations. Kristen is passionate about working to reduce barriers to higher education and supporting a sense of belonging in community. Kristen lives in Rochester NH with her spouse Lu and their two cats, Charlie and Nico. She loves her small raised bed gardens, indoor house plants, daily walks and reality television.

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Amanda Grappone Osmer

Amanda Grappone Osmer is the fourth generation of her family to own and help operate Grappone Automotive, established by her great-grandparents as a single gas station in 1924. Today Grappone represents five new car manufacturers with sales, service, and retail and wholesale parts departments. They employ about 375 Team Members and are located in Bow, NH. Team Grappone operates in an environment in which the whole person is asked to show up and participate at work with the company's mission in mind: to build lifelong relationships with team members, guests, and the community by serving with integrity, kindness, and respect. In 2017 Amanda launched Leadership Grappone, a program that seeks out the company's emerging leaders and challenges them mentally, emotionally, and physically over a nine-month period with the goal of uncovering their true leadership potential. Faith and volunteer work are central to Amanda’s life purpose, and she has served on many nonprofit and advisory boards in her career. One project near to her heart is the co-founding of The Dewey School, a nature-based preschool located at Canterbury Shaker Village. She lives in Sanbornton, NH with her husband, a high school coach and all-around amazing human being, their three children, dog and other critters, and fruit and veggie gardens.

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Sarah Horne

Sarah Horne is a Senior HR Business Partner and has been with Easterseals for 18 years. She has a BA in Psychology, HR Management Certificate and a SHRM-CP certification. Sarah is currently the Director of Emerging Leaders for MAHRA and a Manchester resident. Sarah is a volunteer with NAMI NH as an In Our Own Voice Presenter, sharing her story of her own lived experience with mental illness and her path to recovery. Sarah is passionate about decreasing the stigma attached to mental illness and advocating for this cause.

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Peg O'Brien

Peg O’Brien is vice chair of the firm’s Employment Law Practice Group. She assists employers with legal compliance and risk management in all phases of the employment relationship, as well as defense of employers in matters pending before government agencies and courts. On a regular basis, Peg assists company executives, human resources professionals and supervisors with routine employment law concerns including: • Employee handbooks and related employee policies; • Hiring (offer letters and employment agreements); • Non-compete, Non-solicitation and Nondisclosure Agreements; • Independent Contractor Agreements; • Wage and hour compliance, including employee classifications such as exempt vs. nonexempt; • Guidance with employee leaves of absence; • Management of employee performance and expectation setting, including drafting performance improvement plans; • Disciplinary action including review and discussion of any litigation risks, and drafting documentation of warnings and termination letters; • Drafting severance agreements; and • Management of employee workplace complaints, including investigations and interpersonal conflict between employees. Peg provides on-site and virtual training for employees and supervisors on harassment prevention, documentation and discipline best practices, and other employment law matters. In addition, Peg conducts workplace investigations as an internal or outside independent investigator, and recently completed the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s Certified Course on Conducting Discrimination Complaint Investigations. Peg frequently presents at seminars on employment law issues before human resources and trade groups. She has practiced law for more than 25 years and has handled litigation in federal and state courts throughout New Hampshire. She has extensive jury trial experience as well as extensive experience appearing before government agencies. Prior to entering private practice, Peg began her legal career as an attorney with the New Hampshire Public Defender Program.

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Gina Rutledge

Gina Rutledge has over 20 years of experience defining insurance products for individuals and employers. In her tenure at MetLife, she has designed insurance coverage for Paid Family and Medical Leave, Individual Disability, Group Disability and Life Insurance. In her current role with MetLife, Gina drove the development of the Granite State Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Gina embraces change and partners with customers to ensure PFML programs are compliant with state laws. In addition, she actively provides insights to help improve new state and federal programs considering paid leave laws and partners with various trade groups and public stakeholders to create user friendly operational rules and regulations to support these paid leave laws.

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David Twitchell

David Twitchell is the Principal of Upper Valley HR Pro. LLC and provides "hands-on" leadership, coordination and oversight for clients. Twitchell is a long-time SHRM volunteer having served in many leadership capacities from Chapter President for the River Valley Human Resource Association, State Director and Legislative Director for Vermont SHRM, to the Regional Membership Advisory Council Member from the Northeast and currently serves as the State Director for New Hampshire. Additionally, he has contributed to several SHRM Panels. He has been a SHRM Learning Systems instructor for Vermont Technical College for several years as well as SHRM National highlighting compensation. Twitchell has his MS in Human Service Administration and is a Senior Certified Professional with SHRM, and a Certified Compensation and Benefits Professional with WorldatWork.

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