Innovation is often framed as a product of technology and strategy—but its true success depends on people. In this February Learning Program, The Human Side of Innovation: How HR Leads Through Change and Uncertainty, we’ll explore how HR leaders play a pivotal role in guiding organizations through constant transformation while keeping employees engaged, resilient, and inspired.

Featuring Scott Griffin, CHRO at Rivian, this session offers an inside look at how one of the most forward-thinking companies in electric mobility and sustainability supports its workforce amid rapid growth, disruption, and change. Scott will share real-world insights on building psychological safety, leading with empathy in high-performance environments, reimagining learning and development, and creating meaningful pathways for emerging talent to thrive.

Attendees will gain practical perspectives on what it takes to lead through ambiguity, balance innovation with well-being, and future-proof their organizations for the next generation of talent. Whether you’re navigating digital transformation, workforce evolution, or cultural change, this conversation will provide actionable lessons from the front lines of innovation that apply far beyond the automotive and tech industries.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

As Chief People Officer, Scott is responsible for Rivian’s people and culture programs.  His team designs and facilitates talent programs aimed at attracting and engaging best-in-class talent across a wide spectrum of functional domains while accelerating the growth and development of employees, leaders, and teams.  Rivian’s people programs are designed to align the workforce with Rivian’s most critical objectives.  Before joining Rivian in 2020, Scott was Chief People Officer for a mid-sized public energy company.  Working across industries, Scott has helped build high performing teams in deeply engaged cultures.  Scott graduated with a B.A. in Communication from the University of Oklahoma and earned a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from the University of Alabama. Scott lives with his wife in Southern California where they are the only residents who don’t have dog, but they are the proud parents of 3 grown sons scattered across the US.

Annual Sponsors

As the HR function evolves, the intersection of Organizational Development, People Analytics, and the HR Business Partner role has never been more important or more misunderstood. This session explores how these disciplines can work together to drive strategic talent and business impact.

The National Human Resources Association (NHRA), Rochester Affiliate, is proud to partner with Bond Schoeneck, & King and Harter Secrest & Emery LLP for an HR Legal Symposium. This two-part program brings HR professionals together with experienced labor and employment attorneys for practical workshop sessions focused on navigating today’s most critical workplace legal considerations. Designed to strengthen real-world decision-making and legal awareness, each session offers actionable guidance HR professionals can apply immediately within their organizations.

Session One: Legal Considerations through the Employee Lifecycle presented by Kate McClung and Stephanie Fedorka from Bond, Schoeneck, and King

Bond, Schoeneck & King attorneys Stephanie Fedorka and Kate McClung will present on best practices for managing legal risks across the employee lifecycle. In this session they will discuss key considerations during recruitment and onboarding, including criminal background checks. They will also address common issues that arise during employment, such as performance concerns and accommodation or leave requests. Finally, they will cover important topics related to employee separations, including termination notices, PTO payout, and severance agreements.

Session Two: 2026 Legal Updates presented by Lindsey Bober and Luke Wright from Harter, Secrest, and Emery

Join HSE Labor and Employment attorneys Lindsey N. Bober and Luke P. Wright for a timely legal update presentation. This session will provide an up-to-date discussion of recent and proposed changes to state and federal employment laws and enforcement priorities. Topics will include New York’s Trapped at Work Act, wage and hour updates, state Fair Credit Reporting Act changes, state and federal enforcement priorities, and other recent employment law developments. 

Recertification credits are pending.

Meet Our Speakers:

Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC

Kate McClung

Kate is the Deputy Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment group and the Co-Chair of the Class and Collective Action practice at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC. She regularly advises employers on a wide variety of labor and employment law matters, including addressing employee absences, accommodation requests, wage issues, employee performance issues, discrimination/harassment concerns, and whistleblower complaints. Kate provides trainings on many employment topics, including as harassment, compliance with drug/alcohol policies, and supervisory best practices. Kate also handles class and collective actions, as well as individual litigation, in state and federal courts and administrative claims before state and federal government agencies.

Stephanie Fedorka

Stephanie is a management-side labor and employment attorney, serving clients in both the public and private sector. She advises clients regarding day-to-day labor relations and employment law issues that arise, including assisting clients in navigating the complexities of various state and federal leave laws, wage and hour issues and revising or drafting workplace policies including handbook drafting and revising.

Stephanie also has experience with traditional labor relations matters, including negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing management in arbitrations arising from contract grievances as well as in unfair labor practice or improper practice charges proceedings and serving as labor counsel in business transactions.

Harter Secrest & Emery LLP

Lindsey Bober

Lindsey is a Labor and Employment attorney and a member of the Higher Education team. She counsels clients in all aspects of labor and employment law, including employment policies, criminal background checks, protected leaves of absences, reasonable accommodations, discipline and termination decisions, contract review, wage and hour issues, and labor relations. Lindsey is a fully trained civil rights investigator and advises institutions of higher education and private employers on investigating complaints of discrimination and harassment, as well as responding to complaints filed with administrative agencies such as the New York State Division of Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

During law school, Lindsey served as a summer associate with Harter Secrest & Emery, a student attorney for The Community Justice Program at Georgetown University Law Center, and as a legal intern and Delaney Public Policy Scholar at the National Network for Youth in Washington, D.C.

Luke P. Wright

Drawing on his wealth of experience and passion for problem-solving, Luke works closely with executives, human resources officers, and in-house counsel to create solutions that will achieve desired outcomes and minimize risk. Luke’s clients rely on his expertise and his friendly, relaxed demeanor to counsel them through a range of labor and employment issues, including management of family and medical leave and accommodation issues, navigation of difficult separations and transitions, and development of employment policies and programs that ensure compliance with applicable laws and avoid potential issues down the road.

Where litigation cannot be avoided, Luke represents employers in agency charges as well as in federal and state labor and employment litigation, including cases involving allegations of discrimination or harassment, wage and hour law compliance, non-competition agreements, family and medical leave issues, and the National Labor Relations Act.

Luke regularly speaks to professional, civic, and employer groups regarding recent developments in employment law. He has also been a contributing editor of the cumulative supplements of the American Bar Association’s treatise, The Fair Labor Standards Act, and West Publishing’s treatise, Advising Small Businesses. He contributes regularly to HSE’s Labor and Employment Blog.

Thank you to our presenting sponsors, ESL and Underberg & Kessler

Thank you to our Table Sponsors, Bond, Schoeneck, & King and HR Works

 

Speaker: Stephen B. Maule

Experience and Practice:

Stephen B. Maule practices in all areas of labor and employment law, including litigation, client counseling, and document preparation and review. Stephen relies extensively on his legal education and experience in serving the Firm’s clients.

Employment

Stephen handles all facets of employment law, including employment discrimination claims under Title VII, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Missouri Human Rights Act. He is involved in all aspects of litigating discrimination claims as well as investigating and responding on behalf of management to employee claims before Federal and State administrative agencies. He has appeared in Federal and State courts and administrative agencies throughout the country. In addition, Stephen advises clients on employment-related matters such as personnel policies, daily human resources issues, employment contracts, severance agreements and employee handbooks.

Labor

Stephen provides various services in the labor area, including representing management in arbitration, National Labor Relations Board elections, objections to elections, collective bargaining, strikes and injunctions, and unfair labor practice charges.

Affirmative Action

Stephen has extensive experience handling issues before the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, including preparing Affirmative Action Plans, assisting clients with Compliance Reviews, and compliance with the applicable Executive Order and regulations.

Immigration

Stephen further provides counsel to clients on immigration matters and assists in preparing and filing various immigration petitions with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of employers, including H-1B, TN, L, and permanent residency. Stephen also has experience representing employers in investigations conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Education and Certification:

• B.A., University of California-Davis, 1992
• J.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1995 (Phi Alpha Delta)

Professional Activities:

• Member, Missouri Bar
• Member, American Bar Association (including the Labor and Employment Law Section)
• Member, Bar Association Metropolitan St. Louis
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Member, National Human Resources Association
• Editor, Developing Labor Law (BNA)

Speaker: Timothy W. Bubenik

Timothy W. Bubenik represents the interest of management in all areas of labor and employment law. Before joining McMahon Berger, Tim spent six years with the US Department of Labor where he gained extensive experience in the areas of employment discrimination, affirmative action programs, occupational safety and health, and wage and hour issues. He also actively participated in union activities by representing others during the bargaining and grievance processes.

Tim’s employment practice includes all facets of employment law, including employment discrimination claims under Title VII and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. He is involved in litigating employment discrimination claims as well as investigating and responding on behalf of management to employee claims before administrative agencies. Tim also represents management before the National Labor Relations Board in unfair labor practice charges, challenges to elections and post-election conduct. In addition, he advises clients on employment-related matters such as employment contracts and daily human resources issues.

Education and Certification:

• B.A., Southern Illinois University, 2001
• J.D., Charleston School of Law, 2010

Professional Activities:

• Member, the Missouri Bar
• Member, the Bar Association of Metropolitan Saint Louis
• Member, National Industry Liaison Group

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Major Sponsor:

Major Sponsor: 

Contributing Sponsor: 

      

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Corporate Sponsors

                       

         

DiSC as a Strategic Advantage: Read People, Adapt Faster, Influence Others

This fastpaced, highimpact session gives participants a practical, immediately usable understanding of DiSC, not as a label, as a strategic tool for observing behavior in people, adapting with intention, and influencing without authority.

Participants will learn how to recognize behavioral cues, flex their approach across different situations, and leverage the diverse strengths of their colleagues to drive better communication, collaboration, and results.

This session is designed for anyone who wants to elevate their impact by adapting to diverse workstyles—and building stronger connections.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Notice how people show up to understand their likely DiSC style
2. See their DiSC style as a foundation to flex from—not a boundary
3. Adapt their approach to connect and influence others – even without direct authority
4. Build a culture where differences are strategic assets, not obstacles

Meet Allison Whiting

Allison Whiting founded Intent over 20 years ago and has been making a big impact within organizations ever since. Her passion for people led her to be trained in conventional practices like “the Five Lean Principles”, and is a certified partner for Wiley Technologies’ Authorized 5 Behaviors® and DISC®.  Intent takes a “meet you where you are” approach by interpreting, diagnosing, and developing tailored programs unique to any business type, size and leadership style.

Allison has dedicated her career to improving corporate culture across all sizes of organizations and all types of industries. She has supported companies through mergers and acquisitions by building strong, cohesive teams aligned with purpose, and has partnered with several “Great Place to Work” companies to build award-winning cultures. Whether you’re a small business owner, scaling through rapid growth, or part of a Fortune 500 company, Allison has extensive experience and understands that the only true path to success is the same – people. Without fierce dedication to training, empowering, and nurturing a healthy, balanced group of individuals, no company will thrive.

JOIN US ONLINE or IN-PERSON!

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the distinction between “coming of age” and “still coming of age,” and how it shapes adult development, leadership readiness, and workplace behavior.

2. Recognize how adversity shows up in organizational life and why it often triggers reactive patterns that limit leadership and performance.

3. Learn a four-part compassion practice—awareness, empathy, motivation, and ability—and how each capability strengthens leadership credibility and team trust.

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

7:30 PM IN-PERSON NETWORKING

8:00 PM PROGRAM CLOSE

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Jeff Jacobs

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Human Resource Management Certificate Program

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*Raffle is open to non-members only. Current NHRA members are not eligible.

Everything you wanted to know about Workers’ Compensation – BUT were afraid to ask 

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

This session will cover the history of workers’ compensation law and its impact on HR professionals, presented from the perspective of a workers' compensation defense attorney.

By the end of the session, participants will know:

•Employee vs. Independent Contractor?

•What types of injuries are covered in Workers' Compensation

•How HR professionals can assist in keeping costs down and expediting the claims process

•Paperwork that must be filed for a claim

•Types of workers’ compensation benefits available for an admitted injury

Brian Watnick

After obtaining a Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration from the University of California, Davis in 1987, Brian has been practicing Workers’ Compensation Defense since 1990 and became a Certified Specialist* in Workers’ Compensation Law in 1998, utilizing his education, training, continuing legal education and experience.

In 2005, Brian established The Law Offices of Brian D. Watnick & Associates and has been successfully representing many different clients ever since.

Brian’s experience is diverse, having represented large corporations, insurance carriers, small local employers, school districts, temporary agencies, local governmental entities and uninsured employers. He is well versed in the many aspects of the rapidly changing and complex field of Workers’ Compensation litigation. Brian attributes his success and growth in the industry from his many years of practice and becoming acquainted with and developing the necessary professional relationships with numerous attorneys and physicians that can impact the direction and outcome of a case. Brian opines that it’s his personal availability and attention to the claims he is entrusted with that gains appreciation from his clients.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 AM Breakfast & Introductions

7:45 AM Legal Update

8:00 AM -9:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 1.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.

     

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Corporate Sponsors

                       

         

In this inaugural event for the National Human Resources Association of Los Angeles, we are proud to launch our AI Council. This council will spearhead forward-looking conversations on AI’s role in HR, talent strategy, and organizational performance. 

With speaker: Jeff Koziatek, Executive Coach and CEO of Core Authenticity

Human Resources leaders live on the edge.

You’re balancing care for employees with responsibility to the organization. You’re navigating change, uncertainty, difficult conversations, and decisions that rarely come with clear wins.

At times, it can feel like:

• You care too much - and it costs you
• You’re perceived as caring too little - and it costs you
• You’re expected to hold everyone else steady while absorbing the weight of layoffs, restructuring, conflict, and shifting expectations

That tension can be exhausting. Frustrating. Demoralizing. While you can’t control how others respond - or the circumstances you’re handed - you can choose how you show up.

In this engaging and practical session, Jeff introduces the Champion Mindset and shows HR leaders how to strengthen it using three powerful tools - Meaning, Message, and Mirrors - so they can stay grounded, clear, and resilient when the pressure is real.

Jeff Koziatek worked in the entertainment industry for over 25 years where he produced award winning films, managed national touring shows, owned a complete event management company, acted in film and television, and delivered more than 5000 presentations across the country. His clients were diverse, ranging from corporations, sports entities, healthcare, financial professionals, youth, and associations.

HR professionals work in complexity - navigating emotion, accountability, compliance, and culture all at once.

As a certified coach with The Values Conversation and the John Maxwell Team - and with over 25 years as a business owner, entrepreneur, and former producer - Jeff brings real-world leadership experience to mindset work. HR professionals value his approach because it helps them lead difficult conversations, stay clear when outcomes are uncertain, hold boundaries without losing trust, and sustain themselves while supporting everyone else.

Organizations and associations partner with Jeff to help HR leaders show up grounded, credible, and confident - even when the work is hard. His unique background blends performance, psychology, and leadership development, making his sessions both impactful and unforgettable.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

March Monthly Sponsor: 

Major Sponsor:

Major Sponsor: 

Contributing Sponsor: 

HR Unboxed – Creative Problem Solving for REAL HR Challenges 

This event will be a HIGHLY interactive in person meeting only.  Please join us!

Join us for an engaging, hands-on session designed to spark fresh thinking and tackle real-world HR challenges through creativity and collaboration. Together, we'll explore new ways to reframe problems, uncover opportunities, and co-create breakthrough solutions.

This interactive workshop blends guided reflection, group activities, and experiential learning using worksmart Advantage's Creative Integration(TM) methodologies - including LEGO(R) SERIOUS PLAY(R) and other creative problem-solving tools. You'll walk away with practical strategies you can immediately apply to foster a more collaborative, inclusive, and innovative workplace.

Whether you're navigating change, addressing team dynamics, or rethinking employee engagement, this session will equip you with fresh approaches to lead with curiosity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframe your mindset around creativity in the workplace as a strategic tool - not just a "nice to have."
• Learn practical creative thinking frameworks to apply to HR challenges and opportunities.
• Gain hands-on experience with tools like LEGO(R) SERIOUS PLAY(R) to enhance team collaboration and idea-sharing.
• Leave with ready to use techniques to promote inclusive participation and inspire innovative solutions across your organization.

Van Lai-DuMone

Founder & CEO, worksmart Advantage

Van is the founder of worksmart Advantage, a progressive leadership and team development consultancy that uses creativity, play, and experiential learning to evolve workplace mindsets, skill sets, and behaviors.  Her work is grounded in the belief that everyone is creative, great ideas can come from any level, and when organizations foster idea-sharing, culture, performance, and innovation thrive.

She shares her message in her TEDx Talk, What If? The Life-Changing Power of Curiosity, and her book, What if Pigs Can Fly? A Practical Guide to Follow Your Curiosity.

Van studied Psychology at UC Santa Barbara and earned her MBA from Pepperdine University. With over 20 years of corporate and start-up experience, she is passionate about disrupting traditional training methods and partners with HR leaders to develop a culture of creative thinking and problem solving for their organizations, where creativity is a strategic tool not just a nice to have.

Additional Event Details

7:20 AM Registration & Networking

7:30 -9:00 AM Program and Q&A

Cancellation & Credit Policy:

Please note that all program registrations are non-refundable. However, if you are unable to attend, we are happy to offer a credit toward a future program of equal or lesser value, provided that the request is submitted prior to the scheduled event date. Credit requests made after the program date will not be honored. 

This event is pending for 1.25 credit hours for both HRCI & SHRM credits.

     

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