Webinar: What’s Your Recruitment Strategy: 4-Year Degrees vs. Relevant Experience?

I am a Human Resources Business Partner II for the City of Nampa, which is the 3^rd largest city in Idaho. My career with the City has spanned 17 years, during which time I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Human Resources Management as well as an IPMA-CP Certification.  My experience is focused on employee relations, strategic planning and partnership and public administration.  As a lifelong learner, I'm always pursuing additional education and am currently enrolled in the L.E.A.D Leadership Certificate Program with Northwest Nazarene University.  I have been an active member of PSHRA since 2007 and am very excited to have been recently appointed to the 2023/2024 Awards Committee.

Denny Harlan is the Human Resources Director for The City of Warsaw, Indiana. He has been in this position for just over a year now. Denny retired as a Master Sergeant with 26 years in the Army with the final 14 years in Recruiting and Retention. Upon leaving the service he began an HR career in the private sector. With 2 years of private sector experience, he went into Operations for 3 years. Once the opportunity opened to be HR Director for his hometown, he jumped at the chance. 

30 years Public Sector experience working of the County of Santa Clara as an Analyst and Manager.  

Career highlights include 8 years as an Administrator and Facility Manager for the Dept of Family & Children’s Department former Children’s Shelter. Three years on the County’s HRIS Implementation Team.  For the past 16 years, my role has been with HR as the HR Manager and Service Center Manager supporting the employees of the Social Services Agency; my duties have included managing the Recruitment and Classification Team, EO Staff,  and the HR Department. In the past 3 years my focus has been as Service Center Manger for the Employee Benefits Department in support of County Social Services Agency employees. We have amazing team who support over 2800 employees with their employee Leaves, workers comp, benefit enrollment and payroll processes. 

Samiyyah Jackson, HR Director, Louisville Fire Protection District, Colorado 

• Over 20 years of progressive Human Resources, Leadership, and Compliance Experience
• Master of Management/Human Resources Management (MM/HRM), University of Phoenix
• Bachelor of Science/Business Management, Emphasis in Human Resources, University of Phoenix
• Phi-Theta Kappa Honor Society, Community College of Aurora
• SHRM-SCP Certified since 2015 (previously held SHRM-PHR from 2011)
• SHRM Executive Network Member
• PSHRA Member
  • Professional Volunteer – Recently completed two PSHRA Focus Group Sessions for Bok Review (6 hours total)

Fun Facts:

• Denver Native
• Loves meeting people
• Avid Bronco fan

• Loves to celebrate everything
• Lifelong learner
• Favorite past-times: watching HGTV, walking, rowing, traveling, family events, and community service activities
• Enjoys baking during the holidays

Eltaray is the Human Resources Director for the City of Westminster, Maryland.  She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration management, a master’s degree in health services administration and multiple HR certifications including her IPMA-HR SCP, SHRM-SCP.  She has held HR leadership positions in both public and private sector organizations for the past 25 years. She has been an active member of PSHRA and SHRM.