We all love to see positive change but, when it comes down to it, change is difficult. Anxiety increases, motivation falls, and people feel alone. This session will help HR leaders navigate change within themselves and their organizations by putting them in the shoes of the people they are helping. Together, we will explore how the threat response center of our brain can drive people – including ourselves - away from accepting change and we will discuss ways to handle various types of resistance. 

Learning Objectives

· A more personal understanding of what people go through during change

· Knowledge of the change process, levels of resistance, and the role of empathy

· Greater confidence and expanded capacity for change 

Alison French, Managing Director of Alto Solutions

In an increasingly impersonal world, Alison French is passionate about helping organizations and individuals make the right connections to create harmony and success. As managing director of Alto Solutions, LLC, she employs brain science in her approach to organizational change, communications, and leadership. An experienced facilitator, trainer and coach, Alison has helped clients within the education, government, and private sectors for more than 20 years, facilitating strategic planning meetings, corporate retreats, and skills training workshops, as well as in-depth change, leadership, and team assessments and strategic communication campaigns.

Past accomplishments range from being rated as a top instructor for the Deloitte Consulting Milestone Program and launching a career mentoring program for BearingPoint, to building and deploying a comprehensive change plan for a major Defense technology initiative with more than 7,000 end users, which, through direct engagement with top leaders, significantly influenced positive perception of the initiative and elevated its change management program to become recognized as a model within the agency.

A former specialist master at Deloitte and graduate of Cornell University and the Kogod School of Business at American University, Alison has been published in ATD Links, is an authorized DiSC facilitator, and has worked with groups around the country to help them improve their leadership and engagement by better understanding the connections between their people and within their brains.

Timeline

8:00am - 8:45am - Registration + Breakfast + Networking

8:45am - 9:00am - Interactive Team Building Activity

9:00am - 10:30am - Program

10:30am - 11:00am - Networking

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR 1.5 HRCI + SHRM CREDITS

PROGRAM ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED

         

Change is constant, requiring HR leaders to demonstrate resilience and proactive, strategic thinking. We all experienced a lot of change and the need for agility during the pandemic, and shifting administrations, regulations and economic uncertainty add layers of complexity. This inevitably impacts nonprofit organizations, their constituents, members, external partners, and employees. Some may experience a decrease in funding and other disruptions requiring an immediate challenge to sustainability. Other nonprofits may experience greater demand on the services they provide which in turn has an impact on their resources and workforce, requiring an agile talent management strategy to handle the surge.

Join your fellow HR leaders for an HRLF Nonprofit Huddle on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM ET. This will be an opportunity to share perspectives of how you are dealing with change and what unique strategies you expect to incorporate into your talent management planning as you prepare for the impact of future shifts in the nonprofit landscape.

What is a Huddle:

Huddles are informal and interactive small group discussion on a particular topic. Participants will share their experiences, challenges, and successes and have the opportunity to learn from their peers who are facing similar experiences.

Who Should Attend:

HR professionals, People Leaders, and anyone who is interested in cultivating a positive workplace culture.

Why Attend:

This is a unique opportunity to connect with your peers, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights that you can implement in your organization to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. And, this event is FREE!

In light of the rapidly changing environment affecting federal contracting, our upcoming huddle aims to bring together industry professionals to share insights, strategies, and best practices for navigating these challenges. The meeting serves as a platform for federal contractors to discuss how current economic, political, and regulatory shifts are impacting their operations and contracts and share what strategies they have implemented in their organizations. Join us for this important discussion as we work together to navigate the complexities of today’s contracting environment!

The goal of the Federal Contractors Huddle is to:

- To foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among federal contractors

- To identify common challenges and effective strategies in response to the current environment

- To promote networking and partnership opportunities within the federal contracting community

What is a Huddle:

Huddles are informal and interactive small group discussion on a particular topic. Participants will share their experiences, challenges, and successes and have the opportunity to learn from their peers who are facing similar experiences.

Who Should Attend:

HR professionals, People Leaders, and anyone who is interested in cultivating a positive workplace culture in the federal contracting space.

Why Attend:

This is a unique opportunity to connect with your peers, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights that you can implement in your organization to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity. This event is FREE!

Calling all New and Existing HRLF Members!

We are thrilled to welcome you to HRLF! Join us for an engaging session where you'll connect with fellow members and discover how to make the most of your HRLF membership.

Agenda Highlights:

In today's landscape of constant change, investing in your personal brand as a leader is no longer optional; it's a strategic imperative. According to LinkedIn, professionals with strong personal brands are 70% more likely to be perceived as a thought leader in their industry. By cultivating a robust personal brand, senior HR leaders can enhance their credibility, significantly contribute to their company's reputation, and intentionally position themselves as strategic, trusted leaders. Embracing personal branding can unlock new opportunities for networking, collaboration, attracting top talent, and fostering a culture of engagement that drives organizational success.

This training session focuses on equipping senior HR leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to develop a robust personal brand that is authentic to their personal values, strengths, and unique value proposition.  

Learning Objectives:

• Identify your authentic personal brand: Explore your strengths and natural talents, clarify your values, and pinpoint your passion. 

• Define your Elevator Pitch: Create your elevator pitch to ensure your audience is clear about who you are, what you offer, and what makes you different.  This pitch is critical when interviewing, networking, or building trust within your organization.

• Align Personal Brand with Organizational Goals: Learn tips on how to create synergy between personal branding efforts and the overarching mission and vision of your organization – and your HR function

• Develop a Personal Branding Action Plan: Create a tailored action plan to implement personal branding strategies, set measurable goals, and track progress.

• Leverage LinkedIn and Your Network: Gain insights on how to effectively use LinkedIn and your elevator pitch to enhance visibility and credibility and communicate with confidence.

By the end of this training, participants will be equipped with actionable insights and tools to develop their personal brand, communicate with confidence and influence, and elevate themselves as strategic HR leaders who drive organizational success. 

Ellen Barker Dunagan, President & Founder of Traverse Career Solutions LLC

Ellen Barker Dunagan is a recognized expert in career management and a sought-after facilitator, executive coach, and career strategist. She specializes in helping individuals take a highly active role in creating their own career success, become more accountable for results, and enjoy greater professional and   personal satisfaction.  

With 20+ years of experience in organizational change, professional development, and human resources, Ellen began her career at a top Washington, D.C. law firm where she motivated attorneys to take charge of their careers, coaching them on how to market their accomplishments, build powerful internal and external networks, and make an impact starting day one of employment.  She also helped new attorneys understand the business strategy of the organization, coaching them on the importance of including client skill development as part of their career planning early on. 

From there, Ellen enjoyed a series of HR leadership roles within a variety of industries where she focused on attracting and retaining top talent by creatively building internal professional development programs that supported the values and mission of the organization. She also taught leaders how to adopt a coaching-based approach to managing and developing team members.

Ellen’s philosophy as a coach is that everyone has a unique set of skills and experiences. She believes that identifying and claiming what makes us unique has an added benefit: Becoming more confident in bringing our authentic selves to work. 

Known for coaching the whole person, one of Ellen’s tops strengths is her ability to help her clients create powerful personal brands. She has helped hundreds of individuals gain greater career clarity and navigate complex career challenges using personal branding as a strategic and intentional tool that significantly contributes to career success.

Ellen has created and delivered numerous workshops for top organizations on career development topics focused on teaching employees how to take charge of their careers and create a career roadmap. She has taught interns how to make and measure their impact, and has designed and facilitated workshops for outplaced employees on resume revision, interview preparation, and conducting a strategic job search.

Ellen’s numerous presentations on personal branding and career development topics have garnered praise at a variety of national conferences. She has spoken at NOVA SHRM meetings and was a panelist at the WBA Lawyers at Home Forum, sharing on-ramping techniques for women lawyers returning to work.

Ellen is the first-ever Career Coach for Mentor HR, an award-winning mentoring program for NOVA SHRM and Dulles SHRM HR professionals. She holds a Master’s of Science in Counseling and Psychological Services with a concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and earned her CPCC (Certified Co-Active Coach) designation in 2021.

Timeline

8:00am - 8:45am - Registration + Breakfast + Networking

8:45am - 9:00am - Interactive Team Building Activity

9:00am - 10:30am - Program

10:30am - 11:00am - Networking

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR 1.5 HRCI + SHRM CREDITS

PROGRAM ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED

         

We’re excited to announce a special event hosted by HRLF to assist those navigating career transitions. Whether you're looking for your next role or planning your finances during this time, our experts are here to help!

This special event is open to job seekers with 10+ years of experience in HR practitioner leadership or a people function.

The event will include a panel discussion, networking with potential employers, and the following stations to assist with career transition:

• Free access to an AI headshots package
• Personalized interview feedback
• Resume review
• Leveraging LinkedIn
• Financial tips
• And more

This event is open to both members and non-members who are senior HR professionals, job seekers, and employers looking to network with top HR professionals.

Registration Fees:

• Member – Job Seeker: FREE
• Member – Employer: FREE
• Non-Member – Job Seeker: $25
• Non-Member – Employer: $99
• Sponsor: $750

Sponsorship Opportunity Available

Consider becoming a sponsor! For $750, you will receive the following benefits:

• Prominent logo placement on event materials and website

• Recognition during opening and closing remarks
• Opportunities for targeted networking with senior level HR leaders in transition
• Complimentary AI headshots packages for 4 individuals in your organization
• 4 Complimentary tickets

• For more information, contact membership@hrleadershipforum.org.

Timeline

8:00am - 8:45am - Registration + Breakfast + Networking

8:45am - 9:00am - Interactive Team Building Activity

9:00am - 10:30am - Program

10:30am - 11:00am - Networking

IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR 1.5 HRCI + SHRM CREDITS

PROGRAM ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED