Bernadette Costello is the Managing Partner for BCC Consulting. The foundation of her coaching and consulting practice is “You are Exactly Where You Are Supposed To Be.” Affirming where you are is the first step in any transformation. Transformation is like looking into a labyrinth: a path for discovery, understanding & clarity. One way in & one way out-there are no dead ends. That symbolism expresses Bernadette’s approach to coaching, consulting, learning and the sacred space created with clients to support their journey.  Bernadette has over 25 years of talent development, coaching, consulting, and leadership experience in human resources and talent development in the public, non-profit, and higher education sectors. She is also an adjunct faculty member in the George Mason University’s School of Business and Schar School of Policy and Government. Sheis certified in several assessment tools which include Myers Briggs, DiSC, EQi,and Appreciation in the WorkplaceMBA. Bernadette received a Bachelor of Social Work from SIUE, a Masters inPublic Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hilland a doctorate in Higher Education fromGeorge Mason University. She is an PCC certified coach, an Energy LeadershipIndex Master Practitioner and holds a SHRM-SCP certification.

Amy Blake is the Director of HR & Risk Management for the City of Liberty, MO and has served her community in this role for 20 years.  Ms. Blake has been actively involved in PSHRA since 2003 at all levels from Chapter President to Central Region Board Member to Executive Council Member. She has received awards for her work and dedication in these roles, and continues to share her passion about public sector human resources through her current board position. Ms. Blake’s career strength is organizational and employee development by helping folks become the best version of themselves through total well-being and strategic career growth.

Lisa Boland currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), where she has been instrumental in shaping innovative and effective HR strategies since joining the division in 2015. With over two decades of experience in human resources across both the private and public sectors, Lisa has dedicated her career to fostering environments where employees thrive and reach their fullest potential.

At LCPS, Lisa oversees HR operations for one of Virginia’s largest and fastest-growing school divisions, serving more than 83,000 students and managing a workforce of over 14,000 employees. Under her leadership, LCPS has developed forward-thinking approaches to staff retention, employee engagement, and organizational culture. Notably, she spearheaded a division-wide tuition assistance program; launched a partnership with Participate Learning to recruit international educators, bringing global perspectives into LCPS classrooms; and led the creation of the Talent Development Program, designed to empower staff at every level to grow their careers and advance division goals.

Lisa has also played a pivotal role in guiding LCPS through its first-ever collective bargaining process. She led the development of the division’s bargaining framework, collaborated across departments to ensure legal and operational readiness, and supported negotiations resulting in LCPS’s first tentative collective bargaining agreements—an achievement that positions the division as a leader in Virginia’s evolving public-sector labor landscape.

Before transitioning to the public sector, Lisa held significant HR and people-leadership roles at organizations including Nestlé USA, SAIC, and Leidos, where she built expertise in HR operations, workforce development, and organizational strategy. Her career began at Outback Steakhouse, where she rose quickly to become a People Support Specialist, managing HR functions for multiple restaurant locations.

Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Mount St. Mary’s University and is a passionate advocate for education and public service. She lives in Loudoun County, Virginia, with her husband and four children.

Anquilla Henderson serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer for the award-winning Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA), bringing several years of diverse HR experience in both the public and private sectors.

Before joining CCWA, Anquilla was the Director of Human Resources for the newly established City of South Fulton, where she built the city’s first Human Resources Department from the ground up. She also served as Chair of the Henry County Government inaugural Board of Ethics.

A transformational HR leader, Anquilla has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for her innovation, collaboration, and leadership excellence.

She holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Administration & Development from Mercer University. Her professional credentials include Senior Certified Professional from the Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA-SCP), Six Sigma Yellow Belt, and Registered Mediator with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution. Anquilla is also a Certified Workplace Mediator and Trainer in Conflict Resolution.

Patrick Ho is an HR professional with over 9 years’ experience mostly working in the public sector including state/local government. Currently the Chief Human Resources Officer for Gilmer County Government in Georgia. Patrick was appointed as the HR Director by the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners early 2023. He is currently pursuing a Juris Doctors degree and currently holds a Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Sector HR Administration and a Bachelors of Science in Political Science from Kennesaw State University. Patrick had success in rebuilding/rebranding past employers with their Human Resources department which included company-wide re-organizations, new system implementation, revamping the hiring process and creating an official orientation/seminar university program for them.

Cassandra Tabor is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Metropolitan Council, joining the organization in the Fall of 2023. She is an accomplished HR professional that has served the last 13 years in public sector entities. Prior to a second career in public sector, she led organizational development and HR within private industries and post-secondary institutions. Cassandra began with an Education degree and later earned her Master’s in Public Administration and a Project Management certification. She lives in downtown Minneapolis with her husband and enjoys traveling and visiting her adult children.

Isabel serves as the Human Resources Manager for the City of Nampa, Idaho, where she has dedicated over 19 years of her professional life. Isabel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Human Resources Management, as well as the esteemed PSHRA-SCP certification.

As HR Manager, Isabel is responsible for the full spectrum of HR operations—from Recruiting and Employee Relations to Strategic Planning and Team Development. Isabel is passionate about training; she regularly facilitates programs for her internal customers, including DISC training and various communication and leadership workshops.

Dedicated to continuous learning, she is always pursuing additional educational opportunities, which she then translates into valuable knowledge for her peers. She recently started a small business and plans to launch a nonprofit to continue sharing her HR expertise with the wider community.

She has been an active, dedicated member of PSHRA since 2007.

When she manages to step away from the world of HR, Isabel loves enjoying Idaho's scenic views while camping, hiking, off-roading, and paddleboarding, exploring further out. She has also recently developed a love for snorkeling.

Laurie Barr serves as the Director of human resources for the Town of Eastham, Mass. Since joining in June 2021, she has been responsible for managing all facets of human resources, with a particular passion for employee engagement. Laurie feels fortunate to work for a town that values its employees and supports initiatives that foster a positive workplace culture.

Prior to her current role, Laurie worked for the Town of Dennis from 2012 to 2021, where she was the benefits administrator and human resources administrative assistant. Her career in HR has been defined by her dedication to creating supportive environments for public service employees.

Experienced Human Resources Veteran with a demonstrated 20 year history of working in the military and civilian industry.

David is a resident of Edmond, Oklahoma and currently serves as Vice President of the Oklahoma Chapter of PSHRA. He currently serves PSHRA at the national level as a member of the Veterans Committee and Certification Advisory Board. He has been a member of PSHRA since 2021.

He is a vision and solutions-driven human resource executive specializing in full-service human resource services such as talent retention and recruiting, employee relations, organizational operations, executive leadership, strategic planning, data management, budgeting, and employee compensation plans. He enjoys communicating ideas to others and bringing functional groups together for a common goal. He is dedicated to professionalism and producing measurable results. His most recent public sector experience was serving as the Director of Human Resources & Open Records for the Office of the Oklahoma State Treasurer.

He holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is an Oklahoma Supreme Court and nationally certified Civil Mediator, a Master Training Specialist, PSHRA Senior Certified Professional, and is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Gerald (Wes) Westry is a seasoned human resources leader with more than two decades of experience supporting organizational growth and transformation across the public sector, utilities, defense, and healthcare industries. He is dedicated to creating workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. As Chief of Human Capital Services for the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities, Gerald helps guide strategic initiatives in workforce planning, policy, safety, and people operations that strengthen the utility’s mission to serve the community with excellence. His career includes leadership roles with Booz Allen Hamilton, the Defense Contract Management Agency, and the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, along with honorable service in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. A graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, he holds dual master’s degrees from Troy University and several professional certifications, and continues to champion collaboration, integrity, and inclusion in every aspect of his work.

Bob is a Consulting Principal with Pontifex Consulting and faculty for DePaul U. in their MSHR and MBA programs. He has four decades of experience, has published four books and authored over 300 articles. He was a principal designer for the SPHR and PHR certifications for SHRM and the CCP and GRP certifications for World at Work. He was the first recipient of the Keystone Award for attaining the highest level of excellence. He holds the CCP, CBP, GRP, SHRM-SCP, SPHR and GPHR certifications.

Mikala Glanton is a strategic human resources leader with nearly a decade of experience spanning both private and public sectors. He currently serves as the HRIS Division Supervisor for Cumberland County Government, a key stakeholder in the integration of enterprise systems, automation tools, and digital workflows—transforming service delivery and elevating the employee experience at every touchpoint with HR. Known for bridging people strategy and technology, Mikala brings a systems-thinking approach to addressing complex organizational challenges. He also holds a SHRM Specialty Credential in Artificial Intelligence + Human Ingenuity (AI+HI), positioning him at the forefront of responsible innovation in the public sector. Mikala is passionate about building agile, data-informed, and human-centered workplaces that evolve with the needs of the modern workforce.

Mark McGraw has been a writer and journalist for more than 25 years, with more than two decades’ worth of experience covering HRand the workplace.  

Giani Cantu is the human resources director at Victoria County, Texas. A dedicated HR professional with nearly two decades experience in local government, Giani has a strong background in policy implementation, organizational leadership and employee relations. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to serve in clerical to executive positions, and has developed a deep understanding of local government operations, human resources, budget management and strategic planning.

Jeanette Hamilton is the director of human resources with North Valley Hospital, Okanogan County Public Hospital District #4, in Tonasket, Wash. She is an experienced HR leader with expertise in employee and labor relations, conflict resolution and organizational strategy. With a foundation in anthropology and a master’s degree in human resource management, Jeanette prides herself on bringing bring curiosity and rigor to her work, balancing compliance, business needs and people-centered leadership.

Macy Dippert is the current Human Resources (HR) Manager for the City of Roseville over the Employment Services Division. She started with the City on October 18, 2023. Prior to joining the City, Macy was the Human Resources Manager with City of Citrus Heights and Placer County Superior Court for over six (6) years and before that, twelve (12) years with the County of Sacramento’s Department of Personnel Services. The County of Sacramento is where Macy’s HR career began as she worked her way up the career ladder learning all areas of HR.

In addition to her work experience, she holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from National University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University. Macy has her Senior Professional Certification from Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA). Macy is a certified Ergonomic Evaluator.

Macy is currently a board member for the local PSHRA Sacramento-Mother Lode Chapter. Macy has a passion for Human Resources, striving to be a great leader and role model. Macy also volunteers in her personal life at her children’s schools, sports and a founding board member for the newly Placer Chapter of the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL).

Mark McGraw has been a writer and journalist for more than 25 years, with more than two decades’ worth of experience covering HRand the workplace.  

Nicole is a dedicated public servant with over 14 years of experience in state government. She began her career as an HR Consultant within the Compensation Division at Louisiana State Civil Service, where her expertise and commitment to public service quickly led to her promotion through various supervisory and management roles within the agency. Her journey through the ranks has given her a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of state operations and human resource management. In her current role as Chief Operating Officer, Nicole oversees a broad spectrum of divisions, including talent acquisition and workforce development, compensation and classification, statewide training and development programs, compliance and audit functions, applications and data, and HR program support. She thrives on the constant activity and finds excitement in managing multiple projects simultaneously. Her leadership is marked by a strategic vision for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of these critical functions, ensuring that the agency meets its goals and serves the public with purpose. Her most recent project includes representing and leading the State of Louisiana in the Transformers in the Public Sector Cohort - a first-of-its-kind cohort led by the social enterprise Opportunity@Work.  This cohort allows Louisiana, in addition to five other states, to collaborate and receive targeted support focused on refining and implementing skills-first talent strategies.

Nicole holds a Master's in Business Administration and is actively involved in the Greater Baton Rouge Society of Human Resources Management (GBR SHRM), where she currently serves as the President-Elect/Vice President. Her progressive career and deep expertise continue to drive positive change within State Civil Service and the State of Louisiana, where she remains committed to advancing the mission of public service and public sector organizations.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nicole is a graduate of the 2022 Baton Rouge Business Report Leadership Academy and holds the Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) designation. She is deeply dedicated to her community, volunteering her time with various organizations such as Empower225, BR Food Bank, Way to Work (HOPE Ministries), and more. Through her leadership and service, Nicole continues to make a lasting impact both in her career and in the community.

Linkedin;  www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-tuc...

Tracie DeFreitas is a Program Leader and the Director of Training and Outreach for the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), the foremost national resource for expert guidance on workplace accommodations and the interactive process. Tracie has nearly 30 years of experience providing expert consultation and practical guidance on a broad range of workplace accommodation and compliance issues under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and related workplace laws. She is also an experienced national speaker and writer on accommodation process and ADA topics. Tracie specializes in providing consultation on navigating complex ADA issues and practical accommodation process strategies that extend beyond ADA compliance. As Director, Tracie oversees the planning, design, and execution of JAN's training and outreach initiatives. As Program Leader, she collaboratively manages the daily operations of the JAN service, ensuring the needs of JAN users and organizational goals are met

After a stint as a television sportscaster, Pete began his Disney career in 1994.  Over the next 13 years, he managed various areas of Disney's theme parks and resorts, where he learned what it takes to run a world-class organization.  Pete was blessed to spend a majority of his time working at the Disney University.  While there, he led the Traditions program, which is known worldwide as one of the premiere employee orientation programs. He also facilitated college level courses to thousands of Disney College Interns, and was a Segment Learning Manager for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and the Disney Cruise Line.

Pete is the Training and OD Manager for the Personnel Board of Jefferson County.  He is also a leadership expert and professional speaker, as he also works with organizations and associations across the U.S., helping them achieve their goals in the areas of leadership, employee engagement and customer experience.

Pete received the prestigious “Partners in Excellence” award from Disney, which is presented to the top 3% of all employees.  He also earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association and the Certified Facilitator of Training (CFT) from The Center for International Credentials.

His two books are Employee Engagement: Lessons from the Mouse House and 55 Ways to add Disney Magic to your Organization.

Becky holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management and is a certified Senior Professional Career Coach from the International Association of Career Coached (IACC). With over 25 years of experience in the healthcare sector, including extensive management roles, Becky has successfully transitioned into Human Resources, bringing a wealth of expertise and a people-centered approach. Currently serving as the Career Development Coordinator for the City of Henderson, Nevada, Becky is passionate about coaching and empowering employees to achieve their full potential. Though new to the public sector, she is dedicated to fostering professional growth, recognizing the critical importance of career development in enhancing employee retention and engagement.