Log in

EVENTS

Upcoming events

    • 20 Mar 2025
    • 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Buffalo Marriott HarborCenter 95 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203
    Register


    Join us for an enlightening lecture that delves into the transformative concept of neurodiversity and its vital role in fostering workplace success. Designed specifically for HR professionals, this session will provide actionable insights into redefining hiring practices, creating an inclusive culture, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering systemic change.

    Key Highlights of this session include:

    Redefining Hiring Practices:

    • Shifting focus to behavioral interviewing and prioritizing cultural fit and soft skills
    • Emphasizing the development of a growth-oriented environment that values diverse perspectives and learning styles
    • Identifying and cultivating leadership styles that embrace and leverage neurodiversity


    Creating an Inclusive Workplace Culture:

    • Exploring the intersection of medical accommodations and an inclusive environment that respects individual needs and preferences
    • Implementing policies that accommodate diverse learning and working styles

    Prioritizing Employee Well-being:

    • Recognizing and addressing the impact of burnout, stress, and other mental health challenges
    • Implementing comprehensive support systems, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and flexible work arrangements

    Fostering Systemic Change:

    • Emphasizing the importance of system-level changes rather than focusing on individual employee modifications
    • Exploring strategies for successful change management, including setting clear boundaries, promoting productivity, and encouraging employee input in decision-making processes

    This lecture will provide HR professionals with valuable insights and actionable strategies to create an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees can thrive.

    About our Speaker:

    Katie Passanisi
    Director of Behavioral Health & Interventional Psychiatry Clinics, Dent Neurologic Institute.


    Ms. Passanisi currently serves as Director of the Behavioral Health and Interventional Psychiatry Clinics at Dent Neurologic Institute. Beginning her career as a nurse within the organization, she has significantly expanded clinic operations by enhancing patient access to providers, implementing efficient workflows, and introducing innovative therapies crucial to contemporary psychiatric care.

    Concurrently with her clinical responsibilities, Ms. Passanisi earned an MBA from D'Youville University, cultivating a deep understanding of the intricate business aspects of medical practice management. Since then, she has been instrumental in driving the continued growth and development of procedural-based care within Interventional Psychiatry, ensuring ongoing and accessible care for patients throughout Western New York and surrounding communities.


    Thank You to our Sponsors!

    (click logo for more info)

    Strategic Sponsors


                           

    Connect with Us!

             

    • 20 Mar 2025
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Virtual - Zoom
    Register

    Employee benefits have long been a cornerstone of attracting and retaining talent, but traditional solutions no longer resonate with modern workforce needs. This panel explores cutting-edge innovations in the benefits space, from financial wellness programs to AI-driven benefits personalization. Panelists will share actionable insights on how to assess, implement, and communicate these innovations effectively.

    Speakers:

    • Kristen Connelly, Director of Rewards, Well-being, and HR Compliance at Crowe LLP
    • Samantha Saxby, Managing Director, PERKY
    • Kenny Borton, HR Technology National Practice Lead, IMA Corp
    • Moderator: Hernan Chiosso, Director of Tech for NHRA


    • 25 Mar 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Virtual
    Register

    As an HR Professional, you likely manage difficult conversations on a daily basis. Whether it be a discussion with an employee related to performance, engaging with a senior leader for an approval, or a termination, it is critical to manage these conversations with preparation and tact. In this workshop, we will delve into the psychological and emotional aspects that make difficult conversations challenging. You will learn strategies to maintain composure during stressful interactions and practical, in-the-moment techniques to navigate these discussions effectively. By the end of this workshop, you will be equipped with practical and actionable skills, practices, and tools that you can implement immediately. Register today! In this webinar, we will explore:

    · Emotional Regulation: Understand the science behind emotional responses and learn techniques to regulate your emotions during difficult conversations.

    · Staying Present: Develop skills to remain engaged and present, even when the conversation becomes challenging.

    · Effective Pausing: Master the art of pausing to collect your thoughts and respond thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively.

    · Constructive Responses: Learn how to respond constructively to difficult situations, fostering a positive outcome.

    About Our Presenter

    Cynthia Kane is the Founder and CEO of the Kane Intentional CommunicationTM Institute, LLC that provides services to individuals and companies to improve their communication skills. She is a certified meditation and mindfulness instructor, and the author of The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, How to Communicate like a Buddhist, Talk to Yourself like a Buddhist, and How to Meditate like a Buddhist. Cynthia has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and two little kiddos. Companies worked with include: Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT), The Council on Foreign Relations, KPMG, Young Presidents’ Organization, Edlavitch Jewish Community Center, BroadFutures, Zonta International, Yellow Telescope, Habour West Consulting, Bard College, UNC Ashville. Companies who have supported their employees working with Cynthia through their employee assistance programs include: Greenpeace International, Elekta, Michigan State University, GSK, Boston Medical Center, National Partnership for Women and Families, Virginia Port Authority, Griner Engineering Inc, LodgeWorks Partners, L.P.

    This program is pending approval for 1.0 HR credit hours.

    This program has been submitted to the HR Certification Institute for review.

    The National Human Resources Association is a recognized provider of recertification credits. HR Certification Institute® pre-approved this program for 1 HR (General) credit towards aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification.”

    Additionally, this program has been pre-approved for 1.0 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) by the Society of Human Resource Management.


    • 25 Mar 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • LMU – 120105 East Waterfront Drive, Suite 200, Los Angeles, 90094

    Join our upcoming webinar to explore setting KPIs for Human Capital initiatives that align with organizational financial goals. We will discuss the role of predictive analytics in measuring HR’s impact on business outcomes, review examples of how investments in employee well-being influence productivity and profitability, and address leadership skepticism regarding measurable ROI from HR initiatives. Additionally, we will unpack innovative ways to demonstrate HR’s value beyond traditional metrics, identify effective metrics for showcasing HR’s impact on financial performance, and discuss strategies for communicating this value to CFOs and financial stakeholders. Finally, we will examine the quantifiable role of employee engagement in driving profitability.

    Register Here


    • 27 Mar 2025
    • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 1030 Woodcrest Terrace Drive
    Register


    Ethics

    Don't miss this unique opportunity to obtain your Ethics CE credit with Allen Gershenson, Vice President, Office of Ethics and Compliance at McCarthy Holdings, Inc. 

    Allen will provide the following learning objectives: 

    • Shared Foundation of Values
    • Collaboration in Policy and Process Development
    • Training: Ensuring Understanding and Buy-In
    • Creating a Feedback Loop: Reporting and Continuous Improvement


    Allen has worked in compliance-related roles for more than 20 years. Initially focusing his efforts in the field on heavy civil, highway, water and energy projects, Allen later shifted to a corporate role, managing risk mitigation and employee education. 

    Joining McCarthy Holdings, Inc. in 2017 as the Director of Corporate Governance, Allen is responsible for overseeing the company’s Ethics and Compliance Department while also serving as the company’s Corporate Ethics and Compliance Officer.

    Allen’s responsibilities are diverse, as he continues to focus his efforts in working with his partners to create a best-in-class ethics and compliance program. Allen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of California, Irvine and a Juris Doctor degree from Whittier Law School. He is a member of the California State Bar.



    Thank you to our Major Sponsor:


    Thank you to our Contributing Sponsor:

     isolved logo

    • 8 Apr 2025
    • 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
    • Jackrabbit Club (40 Anderson Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607)
    • 58
    Register

    Join National HR Association for our April Program!

    HR Self-Check Up: How to Stimulate Your own Growth and Development

    Presenter: Michelle Pedzich, Executive Vice PresidentChief Risk and Human Resources Officer for Canandaigua National Bank and Trust

     

    Presenter Bio:  Michelle Pedzich is Executive Vice PresidentChief Risk and Human Resources Officer for Canandaigua National Bank and Trust and serves on the bank’s Executive Team. Michelle is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Human Resources, including developing strategic initiatives, and communicating and executing human resources throughout all levels of the organization. Michelle was previously the Director of Compliance and Training for HR Works. She has an extensive business background with over twenty years of experience focusing on delivering optimal business, compliance, and human resource “best practice” solutions that take into consideration legal requirements and budgetary constraints. Michelle has participated in several public speaking engagements and conferences and has authored several articles covering a wide range of human resources topics.

    Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and a master’s degree in human resources development from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She serves as the Past Chair of the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce and is the Co-Chair of the New York Banking Association’s HR Committee. Michelle is also a Leadership Rochester alum, a 2020 recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s Women of Excellence Award, a 2008 recipient of the Rochester 40 under 40 award, a 2021 National Human Resource Association’s HR Executive of the Year nominee and was the recipient of the Ontario County Athena Award in 2022.

    Program Description: 

    Through this highly interactive session, HR Professionals at all levels will walk away with ideas, tools, and actions that will help them grow both professionally and personally. This session will provide real life tools to help you take an introspective dive on your strengths, areas of opportunity, and what roadblocks are getting in your way to the goals you want to achieve. The session will also cover the art of “being appropriately selfish” to help avoid burnout and set appropriate boundaries and priorities.

    Program Objectives:

    ·        Learning Objective 1:  Through a self-assessment exercise, participants will reflect on what they are doing well, where they can improve, and where they are at this moment to help set development goals. Action ítems will be identified in order to overcome roadblocks and meet these goals.

    ·        Learning Objective 2:  Participants will learn about and understand the “warning signs” of burnout and what strategies to use in order to combat “Work or Professional Fatigue”. 

    ·        Learning Objective 3:  Participants will understand what resources are available to them to help them be their “Best Selves”. 

    Program Agenda:

    • 7:30am-8:00am:  Networking, Breakfast
    • 8:00am-8:05am:  Welcome, Opening Remarks- NHRA President, Rochester Affiliate
    • 8:05am-8:20am: Brief Legal Update, Bond Schroeneck, & King
    • 8:20am-9:20am: HR Self Check-Up: How to Stimulate Your own Growth and Development, Michelle Pedzich
    • 9:20am-9:30am: Closing Remarks/Wrap Up

    Thank you to our Sponsors: Canandaigua National Bank, The Lake House, and JK Exec!





    • 8 Apr 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    • UCSC Extension, 3175 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, California
    • 57
    Register


     JOIN US IN-PERSON or VIRTUALLY!

    The Future Leaders of Tomorrow

    Explore how leadership skills and mission critical core competencies of organizations have evolved over the past decade. Discover the skills essential for today's leaders and what will be required in the next ten years. As global shifts redefine the workplace, leaders must embrace agility and the ability to manage competing priorities, ethical decision-making and human-centered leadership.

    Speaker Michael Kadel will highlight the transition from hierarchical models to a more de-centralized approach focused on visionary leadership, blending technology with emotional intelligence. You’ll walk away with insights into the key traits of future-ready leaders, who keep their organizations not just surviving, but thriving.

     

    LEARNING OBJECTIVES

    • Understand Leadership Evolution - Gain insights of how leadership competencies have shifted over the past decade and what trends will shape the next ten year
    • Master Adaptive Leadership - Learn how to navigate uncertainty, be more agile, be the catalyst for change in an era of technology transformation.
    • Build resilient and Purpose-driven leadership - Learn how to lead with empathy, communication with cross-cultural awareness.
    • Foster Innovation and Visionary Thinking - Learn how to anticipate industry disruptions; drive innovation and inspire teams with a compelling future-focused vision.
    • Develop life-long learning and Future Readiness - How to engage in a succession planning at all levels producing an achievement-oriented culture.


    AGENDA

    5:30 PM IN-PERSON NETWORKING (dinner included)

    6:00 PM VIRTUAL SESSION BEGINS

    6:05 PM LEGAL UPDATES

    6:15 PM PROGRAM

    7:15 PM Q&A


    ABOUT THE SPEAKER

    Michael Kadel

    Michael boasts extensive expertise in the financial services industry, spanning Retail, Business, and Digital Banking to Private, Commercial, and Wealth Management, as well as Corporate Marketing and Communications. His entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to make informed decisions, and empowerment of others have consistently delivered exceptional client experiences. His leadership has driven impactful re-branding initiatives, including the development of a culture-focused M&A playbook, ensuring a seamless integration of cultures in mergers and acquisitions and achieving a remarkable 95% employee retention rate. Michael has served on ten different M&A due diligence strategy teams either as a C-Suite member and/or as a Board member. He currently serves as a Managing Principal of OneAccord, a mid-sized consulting firm where he leads the Financial Institutions Practice.
    Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University and is a honors graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School, where he now serves as a faculty member.  In his personal life, he resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he enjoys hiking, traveling, and is an avid reader.


    Thank you to our sponsors:

    the UCSC Silicon Valley Extension

    Human Resource Management Certificate Program

    Join our mailing list to stay informed about National Human Resources Association events and programs.



    • 9 Apr 2025
    • 7:20 AM - 9:00 AM
    • Palm Garden Hotel, 495 N. Ventu Park Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
    • 93
    Register

    Managing LOA's California

    (NOTE: This event will be offered both in-person and online. Please select the ticket type that reflects how you will attend.)

    Colin P. Calver

    Fisher Phillips, Employment Attorney, Partner

    Additional Event Details

    7:20 AM Registration & Networking

    7:30 AM Breakfast & Introductions

    7:45 AM Legal Update

    8:00-9:00 AM Program and Q&A

    Additional

    *Pending approval for 1.25 hours of HRCI & SHRM Credit 

    • 9 Apr 2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Zoom (Link to be sent near date)
    • 0
    Join waitlist




    Join us on April 9th over Zoom for our Book Club!


    All participants will be mailed a FREE copy of the selected book upon registration. We will meet via zoom (video) to discuss our thoughts on the book on April 9th!

    Our book selection for this session is Think Again by Adam Grant. This event is reserved for NHRA members only, and we ask that you provide your address at registration so that we can send you a copy of the book we'll be discussing. 

    Book Synopsis:

    Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know [Book]

    Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn. In our daily lives, too many of us favor the comfort of conviction over the discomfort of doubt. We listen to opinions that make us feel good, instead of ideas that make us think hard. We see disagreement as a threat to our egos, rather than an opportunity to learn. We surround ourselves with people who agree with our conclusions, when we should be gravitating toward those who challenge our thought process. The result is that our beliefs get brittle long before our bones. We think too much like preachers defending our sacred beliefs, prosecutors proving the other side wrong, and politicians campaigning for approval--and too little like scientists searching for truth. Intelligence is no cure, and it can even be a curse: being good at thinking can make us worse at rethinking. The brighter we are, the blinder to our own limitations we can become.

    Organizational psychologist Adam Grant is an expert on opening other people's minds--and our own. As Wharton's top-rated professor and the bestselling author of 
    Originals and Give and Take, he makes it one of his guiding principles to argue like he's right but listen like he's wrong. With bold ideas and rigorous evidence, he investigates how we can embrace the joy of being wrong, bring nuance to charged conversations, and build schools, workplaces, and communities of lifelong learners. You'll learn how an international debate champion wins arguments, a Black musician persuades white supremacists to abandon hate, a vaccine whisperer convinces concerned parents to immunize their children, and Adam has coaxed Yankees fans to root for the Red Sox. Think Again reveals that we don't have to believe everything we think or internalize everything we feel. It's an invitation to let go of views that are no longer serving us well and prize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. If knowledge is power, knowing what we don't know is wisdom.
    • 10 Apr 2025
    • 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
    • Buffalo Marriott HarborCenter 95 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203
    Register

    Join us for our Spring Legal Update presented by the WNY-National Human Resource Association in collaboration with Daniel P. Forsyth, a labor and employment lawyer with Bond, Schoeneck & King. 

    This is Daniel’s 8th annual legal update for the WNY – National Human Resources Association. He has been the exclusive speaker for legal issues since 2015.  We are delighted to have him return to share a special presentation titled: "Marijuana in the Workplace: “High” Concerns for N.Y. Employers"

    This presentation will cover: 

    • Medical marijuana – N.Y. Compassionate Care Act of 2014
    • Recreational marijuana – N.Y. Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act of 2021
    • Federal laws to consider:
           - Drug Free Workplace Act
           - U.S.D.O.T. requirements
           - Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Legal issues related to drug testing
    • What is the N.Y. Office of Cannabis Management?
    • Employer best practices

    Register now to secure your spot! 

      About our Speaker

      Daniel P. Forsyth, labor and employment lawyer with Bond, Schoeneck & King

      Daniel has worked in employment law for over 35 years. Most recently he was awarded Best Lawyers' 2025:Buffalo Labor Law - Management Lawyer of the Year.

      He represents employers in National Labor Relations Board proceedings including unfair labor practice charges and over 30 union organizing campaigns. Daniel has extensive union experience in: labor arbitration, collective bargaining, jurisdictional disputes, strike preparation, strikes, slowdowns, reaching impasse, reserved gates, salting, decision & effects bargaining, decertification, deauthorization, lockouts, picketing, double-breasting, responding to union information demands, successorship, accretion, card signing and NLRB injunctions.

      Daniel regularly appears before various federal and New York state agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, OSHA, New York State Division of Human Rights, New York State Department of Labor and New York State Workers' Compensation Board. 

      He practices at all levels of state and federal courts in litigation involving: employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, restrictive covenants, motions to stay/compel arbitration, motions to vacate/confirm arbitration awards, duty of fair representation and injunctions.

      For more information on Daniel and his impressive background –CLICK HERE



      Thank You to our Sponsors!

      (click logo for more info)

      Strategic Sponsors


           


       


      Connect with Us!

             null  



      • 15 Apr 2025
      • 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
      • The Park Club - 650 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA
      • 75
      Register



      Join NHRA-OC for an inspiring event that explores the evolving career path of an HR professional to CEO. As businesses increasingly recognize the strategic value of human resources, HR leaders are in a prime position to take the helm and drive organizational success from the top. This session will delve into how HR professionals can leverage their expertise in culture, change management, and talent strategy to transition into the CEO role, bringing a unique, people-first approach to leadership.

      Featured speaker Stephanie Goddard is a HR VP-turned-CEO, who will share her personal journey, key insights, and the challenges she overcame to reach the executive suite. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for positioning themselves as business leaders, expanding their influence, and demonstrating the direct impact of HR leadership on company performance.


      You Have Questions & We Have Answers


      Stay for the fireside chat immediately following the presentation, where Stephanie Goddard and NHRA President Jairo Carrion will dive deeper into the journey from CHRO to CEO. Explore how HR expertise translates into executive leadership, from building business acumen to shaping a strategic vision. Gain valuable insights on resilience, adaptability, and the key steps HR leaders can take to position themselves for a CEO role. Engage in an interactive Q&A session, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and gain personalized perspectives from accomplished industry leaders.



      AGENDA


      FEATURED SPEAKER


       



      Annual Sponsors







      Marsh McLennan


      • 24 Apr 2025
      • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
      • 1030 Woodcrest Terrace Drive
      Register

      Workplace Safety in 2025

      With Mike Minicky, CSP, CIT, President of MSM Safety Management, LLC

      Employee injuries, illnesses, and fatalities continue to happen in our workplaces. This presentation will explore injury and illness data, how to manage your employees' safety, how and why OSHA conducts inspections - including frequently cited standards and emphasis programs, and resources that are available - many of which are free! Specifically, this presentation will allow participants to:

      • Explore injury, illness, and fatality data in the U.S. What industries have the most incidents and what are the most common types of injuries?

      • Discover the critical elements in managing safety and health in the workplace.

      • Understand the most frequently cited OSHA standards.

      • Find workplace safety and health resources.


      Mike Minicky, CSP, CIT

      Mike has 30+ years of experience as a safety and health professional and currently serves as President of MSM Safety Management LLC, a nationwide occupational safety and health consulting firm. He spent a total of 18 years with OSHA in positions which included Safety Engineer, Compliance Assistance Specialist, and Assistant Area Director, and has worked extensively with OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs. Mike served as National General Safety Program Manager for the Veterans Health Administration and as an Associate Safety Manager for Bayer in St. Louis. He is a member of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), past Chairman of the Greater St. Louis Field Federal Safety and Health Council, and is an Associate Member of the VPP Participants Association (VPPPA). He holds two certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP): Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT). He has earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Missouri. Mike is also a Certified Safety Consultant with the Missouri Workers' Safety Program.


      Thank you to our April Sponsor! 


      Thank you to our Major Sponsor! 


      Thank you to our Contributing Sponsor!

       isolved logo

      • 29 Apr 2025
      • 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
      • Zoom

      Session Overview:
      • How compensation can make a huge difference
      • Employer and employee perspectives
      • The broader context of Total Rewards & its impact on an organization becoming
      an “Employer of Choice"
      • A simple Compensation Assessment to gauge your program’s current effectiveness
      • Key takeaways to plan next steps

      • 14 May 2025
      • 7:20 AM - 9:00 AM
      • Palm Garden Hotel, 495 N. Ventu Park Rd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
      • 100
      Register