Gayle Troy, SPHR, Conference Moderator
Gayle has been the HR Manager for Globe Firefighter Suits, in Pittsfield, for more than 20 years. She is the recipient of the 2005 “HR Hero Award,” presented at the Granite State Human Resources Conference. Gayle currently serves in a volunteer capacity on several Boards and Committees, including the Dunbarton Ethics Committee, the NH Commission for Human Rights, and the Penalty Appeals Board for the Wage & Hour Division of the NH DOL. She has also been active in the leadership of HRA-GC (Concord) for many years. In addition, Gayle directs several musical groups (at her church and elsewhere). Originally from Ohio, Gayle has a BA from Miami University (in Ohio – not Florida!), and lives in Dunbarton with her husband, Dan (webmaster for the Granite State HR Conference, and other NH HR organizations), and a small menagerie of dogs and cats.
2007 Conference Speakers
Jane Panicucci, M.Ed., Harvard University
Jane is currently Chief Operating Officer for Project Adventure. Her area of expertise focuses on working with teachers, executives and administrators to generate positive change in their schools and to create high-performing teams for both profit and non-profit organizations. She examined her passion for how individuals learn during her graduate studies at Harvard University.
Jane has been an international keynote speaker addressing the issue of effective facilitation to support positive change. She is the lead author of the three book series Adventure Curricula for Physical Education and is currently working on a new activity guide for teaching fitness using adventure techniques and activities.
Jane’s professional history includes 12 years at the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School as an instructor, course director, and as the chief climber. She has also taught in a public school in VT.
Steve Robbins, Ph.D
Nationally known for his concept of “Unintentional Intolerance,” and his work on linking inclusion to innovation, Dr. Steve L. Robbins is widely recognized for his unique ability to inspire, move and challenge his audiences. As a highly sought-after resource on issues of diversity, inclusion and cultural competence Dr. Robbins works with numerous organizations across the country, assisting them in fully utilizing the diverse human resources that abound in their organization and in our world. Some of the organizations he has worked with include; Microsoft, Toyota, PepsiCo, Nordstrom, NASA, National Security Agency, General Mills, Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Benjamin Moore Paints, Trinity Health System, Herman Miller, Gerber Foods, Federal Reserve Bank, National Cancer Institute, and a host of others.
A published author and highly requested keynote speaker, Dr. Robbins received his undergraduate degree in communication from Calvin College, and obtained his master’s and Ph.D. in communication from Michigan State University. He presents at numerous conferences and conducts workshops across the nation educating and inspiring people with moving stories, humorous anecdotes and a powerful insight into human behavior. He also produces the premier Enewsletter on diversity and inclusion, Inclusion Insights! and is currently authoring a book, "Teachable Moments: Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue.”
Born in Vietnam, Dr. Steve L. Robbins immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. He and his mother faced many challenges as Vietnamese immigrants in a new land, during a time when there was much anti-war and anti-Vietnamese sentiment. Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles, Dr. Robbins now brings insightful perspectives on issues of diversity, inclusion, and the power of caring. Drawing upon a compelling life journey, his talks and workshops are filled with intriguing stories, laugh-out-loud humor and a keen understanding of the human condition. As an inspired listener once commented, “While some who hear Dr. Robbins will have a life-changing experience, all who hear him will at least have a lens-changing experience. He is that good.”
David Creelman, CEO, Creelman Research
David's main project now is in setting up action learning groups around the world to help HR leaders (and their CFOs) present a report on human capital intangibles to their Board. He also does writing, research and speaking on the most critical issues in human capital management. His clients include think tanks, consultants, academics and organizations in Japan, the US, Canada and the EU. He publishes regularly in the US, Japan, Peru, Turkey, Brazil, South Africa, Holland, Romania and Singapore.
He has sat on many thought leader panels with the Human Capital Institute including Global Talent Management, Learning Strategies, and the ROI of Talent Management. His is collaborating with Dave Ulrich, on what organizations should report about human capital intangibles to the financial markets. (see www.rbl.net "What the Fortune 100 Tells Wall Street")
Prior to founding his own company David was Chief of Content and Research for HR.com. As the first employee of HR.com David played an integral role in growing a successful dot com; one that continues to thrive. For many years David was a management consultant in Canada and Malaysia, most notably with the Hay Group. He also taught Rewards and Performance Measures at the University of Malaya executive MBA program. Before venturing into human resources consulting, David worked in finance for Gulf Canada in Toronto and IT for Wood Gundy in London.
He has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a Combined Honours B.Sc. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from McMaster.
Michael Burchell, Ed.D.
Michael Burchell, Ed.D. is Director of Client Services for the Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. As Director, Michael provides leadership and direction for the U.S. consulting team. Michael oversees business development, client service and product development for consulting services. Additionally, Michael is a Senior Consultant, and counts among his clients several global organizations including Novartis, Estée Lauder, DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, L.L. Bean and National Starch and Chemical.
Michael has firsthand experience working at one of the best workplaces in America, W.L. Gore & Associates, and he brings that insight along with his understanding of organizational change to help clients reach success in transforming their workplace. He consults widely on issues of diversity and organizational change, and has been a featured presenter at several professional conferences internationally.
Prior to joining the Institute, Michael focused on workplace development issues, and worked with business teams in managing internal organizational changes at Gore. Gore is one of seven companies that have been listed in every one of the annual rankings of "100 Best Companies to Work For,"® published in Fortune. Michael also worked at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as an educator and staff manager. A former board member of the Delaware chapter of SHRM, he currently is involved with ASTD and the OD Network. Michael received his doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and also holds degrees from Colorado State University and the University of Southern California.
Bernie Behrend, Esquire
With twenty-four years of mediation experience, Bernie Behrend is one of the most experienced mediators in the Pittsburgh area. In addition to his private work with separating and divorcing couples, Mr. Behrend mediates for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the National Association of Securities Dealers, and Impartial Dispute Resolution Services.
Mr. Behrend is the President of the Mediation Council of Western Pennsylvania. He also is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution, the Pennsylvania Council of Mediators and the ADR Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association. Mr. Behrend has earned the designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is a member of the Pittsburgh Human Resource Association.
A popular lecturer and trainer on mediation and conflict resolution, Mr. Behrend is an adjunct faculty member at Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement where he teaches “Conflict Resolution” and “Mediating Organizational Disputes” among other courses.
In addition to a number of certifications, Mr. Behrend holds a BA in philosophy from Vassar College and earned his J. D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Deb Titus, Dale Carnegie
Deb Titus joined the training and development industry as a trainer with Dale Carnegie in 1984. She is currently certified to deliver a full library of workshops as well as four core programs including The Dale Carnegie® Course in Effective Leadership and Communication, Leadership Training for Managers, High Impact Presentations and the Sales Advantage. Deb possesses an acute intuitive people sense with an unwavering commitment to improving the performance of people and organizations.
In 1992 she pursued her interests in organizational development consulting with a focus on human capital management strategies including competency model development, online competency assessments and systems that link training to career planning, succession planning, performance management and business growth. Deb was a quarterly guest on NH televised business programs and a weekly talk radio guest to discuss day-to-day leadership, management and workforce issues.
Back with Dale Carnegie since late 2004, she remains sought out to help clients build a more competent workforce as they see the relationship between competence and results. Through a blended and tailored approach, Deb administers online assessment tools, consulting and training to develop individuals, teams and organizations to perform at levels that make them leaders in their respective industries throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
About GSHRC 