Webinar: Building Workplaces Where Everyone Can Be Their Authentic Selves

Stephen Fields is a Director of Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Hermon, Maine. He earned a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management from River College and a Bachelor of Art degree in Business Management from the University of Maine Presque Isle.  Stephen has over 20 years of experience in human resource management working at local, state and federal levels with additional combined skills in operations management, emergency management, law enforcement and logistics operations that provides a unique perspective in the human resources profession. He is a veteran, served 28 years in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. Stephen owns and operates a consulting business and café bakery with his spouse. 

Karlita Anderson, MPA, PSHRA-SCP currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Human Capital Management at the Louisiana Board of Regents. She brings over 20 years of cross-functional public service experience, including 15 years of progressive human resources experience. Her public sector career began in a vastly different role—as a correctional officer. Through perseverance, a commitment to continuous learning, and a desire to help others, she rose through the ranks to lead BOR’s HCMO at the highest level.

Throughout her journey, Karlita has learned valuable lessons such as working under unpredictable conditions, building trust with diverse teams, and communicating effectively at every level of an organization. With a master’s degree in public administration, she has a solid foundation in public sector HR and policy development. She is enthusiastic about helping others enhance their business acumen, teaching them to approach their careers strategically, and understanding how their roles support the organization’s mission, an invaluable skill.
When she is not leading the way in HR, Karlita enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, laughing, and enjoying delicious Louisiana cuisine, all with the same positive energy and warmth she brings to her work. What truly sets Karlita apart is her genuine love for creating positive, inclusive workplaces where people feel appreciated, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Ann joined the Town of Brookline team in June 2019 after more than 23 years with the City of Boston.  In Brookline, Ann continues to work to make the Town an employer of choice by developing a team that is focused on making human resources transformational, not transactional.  This includes employee forward programs, such as a permanent Work From Home program, Paid Time for Cancer Screenings or Physicals, Paid Parental Leave – all while coordinating a multi-departmental team on COVID response and return to work policies and protocols.

In Boston, she served as the Director, Talent Acquisition Management and Employment in the Office of Human Resources including compliance, classification and compensation, diversity initiatives, recruiting, development and retention responsibilities.  Before joining Boston HR, Ann served as the Staff Director for the Boston City Council as the day-to-day department head for 13 member legislative body, overseeing the professional central staff members, over 100 employees and interns, legislative, administrative and fiscal operations, and a budget of $5.0M.  Responsibilities included: payroll, accounts payable, facilities management and maintenance, technology acquisition and upgrades, training and development.

Before working for the City, Ann held various positions in the state and non profit sectors.  She has served as Adjunct faculty at UMASS Boston, Northeastern, and Suffolk covering courses in Urban Policy, State and Local Budgeting, Human Resource Management, Ethics.

Ann received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School while working full-time for the Boston City Council.  She also has a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in budgeting and finance and a Political Science degree from the University of Connecticut.

Ann has been a Big Sister for more than nine years and lives in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston with her husband and two boys.

Kathy Jackson is a results-driven professional with over 28 years of experience in people development with a focus on the growth of leadership talent for the advancement to next level positions.  Kathy has a true passion for coaching and developing others and for paving the way for them to be successful in their craft.  

Over the course of her employment, Kathy has created, launched, and facilitated many professional development programs as well as the rollout of performance management systems. For the past 14 years, Kathy has worked for Cuyahoga County as the Training Manager where she is responsible for developing and facilitating training to over 5,000 employees.  Kathy is also in charge of the Regional Training Program which offers customized training for all 59 municipalities within Cuyahoga County. 

Kathy has an MBA in Human Resources Management from Baldwin Wallace University and BA in Human Resources Management and Services from Notre Dame College.