Lorie Reichel-Howe is founder of Conversations in the Workplace. She equips managers, teams, and business professionals to have “Safe Conversations” – transformative dialogue that uncovers hidden workplace issues. Whether addressing challenging team dynamics, mismanaged expectations, cultural insensitivity, or good old-fashioned bad behavior, “Safe Conversations” foster greater innovation, inclusion, and collaboration within organizations.

With over 20 years of experience in leadership development and relationship management, Lorie is passionate about equipping leaders with the skills to create and maintain a culture of respect and accountability.

Lorie is a professional mediator and leadership communication coach. She has supported organizations such as Pinterest, SYGMA, SHRM, PIHRA, HR.com, Women in Technology International, Los Angeles Women’s Leadership Conference, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Santa Clara Superior Court, San Jose State University, Santa Clara County Office of Education and many more.

Learn more about Lorie’s impact at www.ConversationsInTheWorkplace.com

Bob Nogueira joined OIT in July 2019 as Chief People Officer, bringing over 30 years of experience leading organizations in internet start-ups, nonprofits, and international corporations. Bob’s leadership encompasses call centers, human resources, employee communications, leadership development, and nonprofit boards of directors. Bob is an adjunct faculty member in the Communication Management and Organizational Leadership graduate programs at the University of Denver.

Bob’s past senior leadership positions include roles with Comcast, Kaiser Permanente, Qwest Communications, and Merrill Lynch. He founded Nogueira Consulting & Coaching LLC in 2018 and has become a sought-after executive coach, public speaker, and consultant. Bob was a gubernatorial appointee to the Colorado Workforce Development Council for three years. As a community influencer, Bob chaired the board of directors for Colorado Health Network and was a board member for Spark the Change Colorado. As co-chair of the Career Services Board, Bob was one of five mayoral appointees to oversee the City and County of Denver’s Office of Human Resources. He holds accreditation in human resources, executive coaching, change management, and several individual development and team effectiveness tools and methodologies. With a passion for inspiring others to confidently engage and discover "what’s next", Bob’s infectious energy and curiosity amplifies the development and work of individuals and teams.

Bob earned his undergraduate degree in Communications from Kean University of New Jersey and his graduate degree in Communication Management & Organizational Leadership from the University of Denver. Born and raised in New York City, Bob has called Colorado home since 1992. He and his partner, Russ, live in Denver with their rescue dog, Cooper. Bob enjoys collecting memorable experiences through volunteering, travel, theater, music, learning, and teaching. As a (perhaps) too loyal Colorado Rockies fan, Bob considers Coors Field an aspirational second home.

Lauren Abe is an accomplished HR leader with a passion for enhancing people performance through coaching and development. Currently serving as the HR Manager of People Culture & Development for the City of Asheville, Lauren has over a decade of experience from key roles at Mission Health and Lowe’s. She excels in people strategy, employee engagement, and workplace culture. Lauren is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Business Administration, specializing in organizational behavior and leadership, further enhancing her expertise in the field.

Roslyn Gervin currently works as the Manager of People Culture and Experience with the City of Newport News Human Resources Department.  An advocate for continual personal and professional development Roslyn has facilitated countless trainings and workshops on a variety of topics to include, leadership, teambuilding, effective communication, developing your personal brand and more!  Roslyn has been with the City of Newport News for close to 18 years, serving in roles such as Training Specialist, Safety Administrator and Human Resources Manager.  Roslyn earned her Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Radford University and went on to earn her Master’s in Public Administration at Troy University.  She also holds a local government management certificate from Va Tech, as well as certifications in Myers Briggs facilitation, Executive coaching and EQi.  She is married with two teenage children and one really cute dog!

Elizabeth Karger joins us from the City of Henderson, where she works in Training and Organizational Excellence. She has education in industrial organizational psychology and had over twenty years of experience in human capital management for which her work has won multiple industry awards.  She has worked in large corporations, nonprofits, and now a governmental agency and is a certified professional of Human Resources from PSHRA as well as a certified PHR from HRCI. 

With over 22 years of extensive experience in human resources spanning various industries, Lindsey Nathan O'Connor brings a wealth of expertise to her role as the Human Resources Administrator for the Milwaukee Health Department. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lindsey is deeply committed to fostering an environment of psychological safety and trust by prioritizing the well-being of the individuals she serves. Additionally, she is actively engaged in the ongoing work of becoming anti-racist and is driving impactful changes to the policies and practices within the health department.

Ms. Little is a proud Maine native who is passionate about HR and the positive impact HR can have on an organization.  She earned a Master's degree in Human Resource Leadership, has over two decades of public sector HR experience and holds the SHRM-SCP, SPHR, PSHRA-SCP and GPHR certifications. Jackie shares her experience, perspective and insight at various local, national and international conferences.  In her spare time, she can be found baking cheesecakes, exploring the Maine coast or traveling with her family.

JasCiel Stamp is a Maryland based human resources professional with nearly a decade of experience. She leverages her “employee first” philosophy to create human resource and organizational effectiveness programs that give businesses a competitive edge. For her, the three P’s of any good HR department are: People, Process, and Perception. With the three P’s at the forefront of any decision making – any HR program can be both ethical and successful!

JasCiel has a B.A. in Psychology (William Peace University), a M.S. in HR Management (UMGC), and vast experience in the public and private sectors. She’s currently the Director of HR for Office of the Attorney General (Maryland), an HR consultant, and an HR essentials trainer. 

As a National Practice Leader, Public Sector at Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, Steve Vermette is responsible for building integrated teams to market Colonial Life’s products, programs, and services to brokers as well as public sector employers in education, local and state government agencies.

His nearly four decades of insurance industry experience began in 1995 when Vermette joined Unum as a compensation manager, then a sales manager and general manager. In 2000, Vermette joined Colonial Life as a manager for the state of Florida until 2010, he has since served several graduated roles within the public sector and broker markets.  

Healthcare Professional: Andre Koen began his career in the healthcare industry, driven by his passion for helping others and promoting well-being. As a healthcare professional, he worked tirelessly to ensure that patients received the best care possible, emphasizing empathy and understanding in every interaction.

Director of DEI at Mayo Clinic: Recognizing the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare, Andre Koen transitioned to the role of Director of DEI at Mayo Clinic. In this leadership position, he led initiatives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for both patients and staff. His innovative strategies and commitment to cultivating a diverse workforce positively impacted the entire healthcare community.

Government Official: With a desire to create broader change, Andre Koen extended his influence by working with state and local governments. As a government official, he advocated for policies that promoted equality and fairness, striving to bridge gaps in access to healthcare and other essential services. His dedication to public service earned him a reputation as a compassionate and visionary leader.

Classroom Teacher: Understanding the profound impact of education on shaping young minds, Andre Koen took on the role of a classroom teacher. His teaching approach went beyond textbooks, focusing on imparting valuable life skills such as empathy, respect, and embracing diversity. Through his engaging and practical methods, he inspired students to become responsible global citizens.

Improvisational Comedian: Not confined by traditional roles, Andre Koen also embraced the art of improv comedy. As an improvisational comedian, he used humor as a powerful tool to break down barriers and promote open dialogue about sensitive topics. His performances were not just entertaining but thought-provoking, encouraging audiences to examine their own biases and preconceptions.

The Enkindled Spirit: Throughout his multifaceted journey, Andre Koen's unwavering spirit illuminated his path. As the Enkindled Spirit, he radiated warmth, compassion, and a deep understanding of the human experience. His approach to diversity training, government service, healthcare, teaching, and comedy was guided by a genuine desire to connect with others and ignite positive change in the world.

Our speaker today is Gary Butterworth.  Gary is the Learning Facilitator of Training and Development for the Human Services Agency at the County of Ventura, where he creates and conducts workshops in communication skills.  He is a certified seminar leader who has delivered soft-skills training to participants across western North America.  Recognizing his ten years of work as an onsite training specialist, the “Annual Independent Contractors’ Conference” in Kansas City twice honored Gary as “On-Site Trainer of the Year.”

Gary holds a master’s degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Northridge.  As a part-time faculty member at CSU, Northridge, Gary was awarded “Outstanding Teaching Associate of the Year.” 

Before devoting his career to full-time training and teaching, Gary spent two decades as a radio broadcast personality TV weathercaster. Today, he is president of his local PSHRA chapter in Ventura (“Channel Islands”), California and makes presentations at conferences.

Since May 2019, Tamara Steele has served as the Human Resources/Communications Director with the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA).  Tamara is the current president of the Oklahoma chapter of the Public Service Human Resource Association (PSHRA). She received a Bachelor of Arts in Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s in Leadership and Human Resource Development from Louisiana State University.  Steele is a Senior Certified Professional with PSHRA and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM).

As a leader in human resources for 20+ years, Tamara has acquired experience in the public and private sectors with skills in Leadership, Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt, Compensation, Benefits Administration, Mediation, Discrimination Complaint Investigations, and Talent Management.  Tamara believes her role as an HR professional is to encourage others to use their strengths, talent, and creativity to develop personally and professionally.  When those traits are realized, it creates a positive outcome for themselves and the organization they serve.  In her current role, Tamara leads the human resources and communications initiatives and ensures strategies align with the goals and mission of the agency.  Collaboration is an integral part of her job as a member of the OHFA Executive team, where works with agency leadership to enhance program processes and operations.

With a heart for public service and serving her community, Tamara is the current president of the Louisiana State University Alumni Chapter for Oklahoma, serves as a board member for the non-profit organization, WovenLife, Inc., and was a previous member of the Diversity Committee for the Oklahoma City Human Resources Society.  An avid cyclist, Tamara is a co-leader for the Oklahoma chapter of Black Girls Do Bike non-profit organization.

Shelby Tipton serves as the Human Resources Director at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, as well as the chapter president for the Mississippi chapter of PSHRA. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History from Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, and a Master's in Public Administration from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.

Commencing her career as a historic preservation grants administrator at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Shelby worked with the National Park Service to preserve historic structures throughout the state. However, under the guidance of a perceptive mentor who recognized her potential, Shelby's career trajectory shifted toward the realm of human resources – a transition that proved to be an ideal fit. She embraced her role in human resources at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History in 2017, progressing to assume the position of agency Human Resources Director by 2020. She is a graduate of the Stennis Executive Development Institute of Mississippi, affiliated with the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development at Mississippi State University, and holds certifications in human resources and supervisory management from the Mississippi State Personnel Board.

Shelby is passionate about creating positive change in the public sector. In her current role, she is guiding equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. In 2021, she introduced the agency's first quantitative tool for measuring equity in salaries, hiring, and leadership development. In 2022, she launched an inaugural leadership institute focused on succession planning for leadership within her agency. In 2023, she designed and implemented a comprehensive salary plan aligning employee compensation with market rates for their roles.

Deeply dedicated to human resources in the public sector, Shelby believes that human resources professionals play a crucial role in nurturing a strong public workforce. Her focus is on creating environments that support business outcomes while fostering employee growth and well-being.

Nick Mastronardi, PhD is a public servant, academic and CEO of Polco. Prior to founding Polco, Nick served as a Senior Economist at Amazon, in the same role on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers in the White House, and 10 years as an active duty Air Force officer including time on faculty at the Air Force Academy. Nick earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and still serves in the Air Force Reserves. Nick also was honored to be selected for Stanford’s Hoover Institution inaugural Veteran Fellowship Program, and is proud to continue his relationship with Stanford's Hoover Institution VFP as a faculty fellow. Dedicated to helping cities advance public participation, Mastronardi brought together the best minds in government technology, civic analytics and interactive engagement to create Polco. After Nick and his colleagues spent time at some of the best tech companies and working in local government, they wanted to bring world-class communication technology to the civic process. Now, hundreds of organizations nationwide use Polco for strategic planning, budgeting, and empowering resident voices. Polco makes civil, verified community engagement online not only possible, but accessible.

With over fifteen years of experience as a government innovation expert, I help organizations create and sustain a culture of creativity, empowerment, and results. I am the CEO and author of Sustainovation, a definitive guide and a growing community of practitioners on building innovation in government for the benefit of the citizens. I have keynoted, trained, consulted, or facilitated in over 100 communities across the country, teaching hands-on techniques and sharing inspiring stories on how to make ideas a reality and break the bureaucracy.

I partner with teams across the country on building high-performance operations, including building effective and innovative teams, efficient processes, creating measurable, actionable results, being clear and accountable, and engaging the community. This includes over 3 dozen training topics, a network of specialized partners, and tools like performance measurement, process improvement, prioritization, creativity, productivity, strategic planning, and citizen engagement, using data-driven and lean methodologies. I am passionate about transforming the public sector into a high-performing, transparent, and accountable entity that serves the common good.

I believe in the power of Team Us, and I strive to make innovation fun, effective, and sustainable.

Experienced Human Resources Director with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry and private sector. Strong human resources professional skilled in Succession Planning, Organizational Development, Conflict Resolution, Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Wellness and Public Policy.

Communications Director Angelica Wedell has worked in multimedia communications for over ten years and is an Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP). She enjoys leading the communications efforts and strategies of Polco, networking and speaking professionally at conferences and events across the country, leading content initiatives for Polco and partner syndicates, and producing and co-hosting The Civil Review Podcast. Wedell is award-winning, served as a curriculum advisor for Colorado State University (CSU) Journalism and Media Communication, and has been named among the top 100 local government influencers by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL). Wedell believes local governments need reliable civic data and community engagement to make evidence-based decisions and improve everyday residents' quality of life.

Amie Courtney is the Human Resources Director with Cranberry Township, a municipality located approximately 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a position she has held since January of 2019. Prior to her current position, Ms. Courtney was a practicing attorney, with a focus on public sector and employment law. As a later-in-life ADHDer and part of the sandwich generation with supporting aging parents, while raising two children and finding ways to prioritize her own well-being, Ms. Courtney is a staunch advocate for prioritizing mental health in the workplace.

Lisa Hogan is a dedicated Human Resources professional with over 13 years of experience in various HR domains, backed by 5 years of management expertise. Currently serving as the Airport Program Administrator at the Clark County Department of Aviation, Lisa oversees the Employee Engagement, Training & Wellness Department, spearheading initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction and well-being.

With a track record of developing robust training programs on diverse topics such as financial wellness, interpersonal skills, and customer service, Lisa fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth within the organization. Additionally, she coordinates community outreach efforts and volunteer events, further strengthening employee morale and engagement.

Prior to this role, Lisa held positions such as Senior Management Analyst and Human Resources Analyst, where she demonstrated proficiency in recruitment, performance management, and workforce planning. Notably, Lisa implemented innovative recruitment strategies and established partnerships with educational institutions to attract top talent. Throughout Lisa’s career, she has exhibited a commitment to excellence and professionalism, earning recognition for her contributions to talent acquisition and employee development.

Lisa holds a Master’s in Public Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training/Administration from Northern Arizona University. Furthermore, Lisa is IPMA-CP certified, showcasing her dedication to staying abreast of industry best practices, and currently is President of the PSHRA Nevada Chapter.

Driven by a passion for fostering a positive work environment and empowering individuals to reach their full potential, Lisa continues to make impactful contributions to the field of Human Resources, embodying the values of integrity, innovation, and collaboration.

Marviette has 28+ years of progressive HR experience.  She has held various HR leadership roles in privately held small and mid-sized organizations as well as publicly traded international organizations in a diverse field of industries ranging from financial services and hospitality to medical device and education.  Her areas of expertise include but are not limited to recruitment and selection, mergers and acquisitions, policy/procedure development, employee relations, design and implementation of performance management systems, selection and implementation of HR Information systems, and talent development.  Marviette is the Director of Human Resources with the Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office where she and her team provided HR consulting and employee services to 900+ employees.

Marviette earned both her master’s degree in Labor and Employment Relations and her bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Cincinnati.  She is certified as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR, SHRM-SCP), and earned her Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certification through Cornell University.  She is MBTI® Certified / Myers-Briggs® Certified.

Robbi King spent 27 years in public safety, including 13 years with Camden County, GA, Fire Rescue, where he reached the rank of Assistant Chief. He also served more than 13 years as deputy coroner at the Camden County Coroner's Office.

Matt Shronts has been in public safety for more than 20 years, rising through the ranks to fire chief. Throughout Matt's career, he worked in numerous positions focusing on training and EMS. Matt remains active in the fire and EMS service and has completed his accreditation as a Chief Fire Officer.