2026 Speakers

Liz has practiced in the areas of management-side employment law counseling and litigation since 1992. Liz’s client base ranges from private corporations to municipalities and counties. She works closely with HR professionals, management teams and in-house counsel to develop effective risk management strategies and cost-effective ways to avoid employment-related problems. Liz’s practice includes a focus on time-sensitive and detailed internal investigations involving questions of employee misconduct and legal compliance issues. Liz also has wide-ranging litigation experience. She defends employers in claims before the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New Hampshire Department of Labor, and the New Hampshire Public Employee Labor Relations Board. Liz’s courtroom experience includes jury trials in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts state and federal courts, bench trials, arbitrations, mediations and appellate arguments. Liz regularly develops policies and procedures for clients and advises on a wide-range of employment issues, including compliance with laws related to gender, age, disability, national origin and religious discrimination, the FLSA and the FMLA. She also regularly assists public sector clients with a wide variety of labor issues including grievances, arbitrations and collective bargaining.

Abby’s practice encompasses a variety of civil and commercial litigation matters. She represents individuals and businesses in a wide range of disputes before state and federal trial and appeals courts, administrative tribunals, arbitrators, and in mediation. Abby served as a 2020 Crisis Response Fellow with NH Legal Assistance, where she helped NHLA respond to increased legal needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, Abby assisted unemployment claimants affected by the pandemic navigate the process of obtaining and preserving unemployment benefits. Before joining the firm, Abby served as a judicial extern with the Honorable Gary E. Hicks, Senior Associate Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and with the City of Concord City Solicitor’s Office. She also served as a judicial intern with the Honorable Paul J. Barbadoro at the Federal District Court for the District of New Hampshire. Along with her juris doctorate, Abby has a certificate in Sports Law.

Roger Grannis is an expert in influential communications and has spoken at more than 90 state and local SHRM events. He loves helping HR leaders elevate their status and get a seat at the executive table. Before becoming a fulltime professional speaker, in 2004, Roger spent seventeen years at Gartner, the world’s leading technology advisory firm. During his tenure, he built the firm’s Sales Training Academy, helping grow revenues from $32 million to $850 million. Known for his energy, relatability, and humor, Roger is a TEDx speaker, the past president of the New England chapter of the National Speakers Association, and author of THE YELLOW CAKE PRINCIPLE: YOUR RECIPE FOR INFLUENCE AND SUCCESS.

With over 30 years of HR leadership experience, Kevin Keleher is Principal Consultant at NextWave HR Solutions, where he partners with organizations to elevate people strategies and drive organizational effectiveness. His expertise spans compensation design, training development, leadership facilitation, management coaching, HR information systems strategy and implementation, and team building. Kevin has held senior HR leadership roles across industries, including VP of HR Operations at Putnam Investments, Head of HR Operations for North and South America at Parexel, Business Architect for Fidelity’s HR system, HR Director at Boston Medical Center, and HR leadership roles at Microsemi and Mercury Systems. He holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.Ed. in Organizational and Employee Development, along with SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. A certified Myers-Briggs facilitator, Kevin brings deep insight into personality dynamics. Passionate about driving growth, he designs and delivers strategic HR solutions that foster engagement, collaboration, and long-term success.

Director, Litigation Department and Chair, Employment Law Group, McLane Middleton Peg 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. She can be reached at margaret.obrien@mclane.com.

Catherine Bingel is a dynamic HR executive with more than 20 years of experience leading People & Culture strategies across high-growth global SaaS, technology, and manufacturing organizations. She currently serves as Vice President of People & Culture at Tomorrow.io, where she oversees U.S. and international teams and has launched transformative programs in talent acquisition, succession planning, career pathing, leadership development, and employee recognition—contributing to double-digit engagement score increases year over year. Previously, Catherine held senior leadership roles in both Human Resources and Business Operations at Utility Cloud, Dyn (acquired by Oracle), and Graphic Packaging International to build holistic people strategies from the ground up, scaling organizations through rapid growth and transformation. Catherine has held both her SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications as well as a Masters' degree in Organizational Leadership and is passionate about creating inclusive, high-performing cultures where people and businesses thrive.

Anita is a consultant with PRISM Conflict Solutions, a mediation and workplace conflict resolution firm in Concord, NH. PRISM also offers external organizational ombuds services. Antia’s practice focuses on helping clients navigate and manage conflict through coaching, facilitated conversations and group learning opportunities. Anita received a J.D., cum laude, from the Boston University School of Law. Prior to joining PRISM, Anita worked as a corporate transactional attorney, representing public and private companies in a variety of industries, including life sciences and financial services. Her diverse experience in counseling clients helps inform her approach to conflict resolution.

Michelle Gray, SHRM-CP, is a seasoned Human Resources leader with over two decades of experience driving strategic HR initiatives across diverse industries. As the founder of HR Synergy, LLC, she partners with small and mid-sized organizations to build HR infrastructure, ensure compliance, and enhance workforce engagement. Michelle’s expertise spans employee relations, talent acquisition, benefits management, and labor law, with a proven track record of scaling operations, reducing costs, and improving workplace culture. Michelle is actively involved in the HR community, serving on the NH State HR Council and participating in SHRM, MAHRA, and local chambers of commerce. She is passionate about empowering businesses through thoughtful HR strategy and fostering environments where employees thrive.

Shelia is the President and Found of The Executive Collaborative. Sheila brings 30+ years of experience as therapist and Executive Coach, empowering thousands of leaders through self-discovery. Leaders who advanced in their careers and are at the forefront of their company. They are sitting at the C-suite table leading thriving organizations, creating a positive and engaging culture and elevating others. Sheila works creatively and collaboratively with organizations to help elevate and advance their leaders. She has a MS in Organizational Leadership and an MS in Counseling. She is a Licensed Counselor in NH. She is a Certified Workplace Wellness Professional and does Stress Mastery coaching. She is considered an expert in leading through times of crisis. She is a Speaker, a Leaders Advocate, and supports and donates percentages of proceeds from her business to numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Dana Farber Cancer Institute as she has known many people in her life who have succumbed to cancer.

Monica works with individuals and organizations to make progress and shape value-based cultures. She speaks, writes, and leads with a passionate commitment to see others find fulfillment and make progress. Monica's leadership and speaking portfolio spans two decades. She has layers of experience mentoring leaders, building teams, and inspiring individuals at every age and stage of life and business. As a result of her work people often say they feel understood, are equipped with a plan for progress, and are inspired to conquer what lies ahead of them. Her keynote speaking style is fun and inspiring. Her heart and humor will have your audience smiling, laughing, and thoughtfully motivated to seize opportunities to take their next step of progress.

Jaime is the Bureau Chief of HR for the State of NH, Dept of Safety. She is responsible for leading all HR and payroll functions throughout the department which has 7 divisions and over 1500 employees. Jaime loves to have awkward conversations, and to help others learn how to have them too. She also strives to reduce stigma around mental illness and substance use disorders that sometimes are a factor in HR's work. Jaime has a bachelor's degree in management from SNHU and has both PHR and SHRM-CP certifications. She is also a trained First Aid/CPR and Mental Health First Aid instructor.

Lauren is a partner with PRISM Conflict Solutions, a mediation and workplace conflict resolution firm in Concord, NH. PRISM assists clients in enhancing workplace culture and dynamics through a variety of processes including mediation, facilitation, training, and conflict coaching. PRISM also offers external ombuds services. Lauren's practice at PRISM focuses on helping clients identify challenges and enhance communication, collaboration and productivity in the workplace. Lauren designs and facilitates in-person and virtual workshops focused on managing workplace conflict and building conflict agility. Lauren also offers workplace mediation and facilitated conversations for teams looking to elevate their interactions and impact. Lauren’s approach to conflict resolution has been shaped by her training as corporate lawyer, juvenile defense attorney, law professor and mom of four. Lauren received a J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, IL, and has completed mediation programs through Champlain College and RoundTable Mediation. Lauren also is trained in Powerful Non-Defensive Communication, Reflective Structured Dialogue, Success Counseling and Appreciative Inquiry. Lauren grew up in Vermont. After 20 years exploring other parts of the country and world, she is grateful to call Vermont home once again.

Riverwise Leadership CEO Sue Harvey bridges research and practical application in the field of organizational change. Her recent study of 50+ HR and change leaders managing complex transformation initiatives directly informs the frameworks and tools presented in this session. Known for making complex concepts accessible through storytelling and interactive learning, Sue consistently earns top ratings as leadership faculty and speaker. Previously serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Deputy Communications Director for House Democratic leadership, Sue understands organizational dynamics from multiple vantage points. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with Georgetown leadership coaching credentials and PROSCI change management certification, Sue empowers HR leaders to navigate change with confidence and clarity, while honoring both organizational objectives and human experience.

Sarah Mann is an executive coach, facilitator, and the architect behind Leadership Fluency™ - an innovative and flexible framework that helps leaders tune out the noise, trust their instincts, and show up with clarity, confidence, and ease. Through her signature blend of insight, irreverence, and straight talk, Sarah supports high-achieving senior leaders who are ready to stop overthinking, second-guessing and over-preparing so they can live powerfully and lead fluently.

Will Stewart has served as Executive Director of Leadership New Hampshire since July 2024. Prior roles include Executive Director of Stay Work Play New Hampshire; President of the Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce; Vice President of Economic Development & Advocacy at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce; Community Services Specialist at NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire; and Reporter at HippoPress.