Empowering People.
Elevating Work.

Cali Williams Yost is Founder and CEO of Flex+Strategy Group (FSG), a work transformation solutions firm. For three decades, Yost and FSG have helped organizations reimagine how, when, and where work is done to achieve higher levels of performance, engagement, and well-being. From the board room to the break room, she has initiated the co-creation of a new, sustainable operating foundation across hundreds of organizations. Clients include BDO USA, The Gates Foundation, Columbia University, Stanford University, Sanofi, HSBC, Con Edison, Memorial Sloan Kettering, UBS Americas, Quest Diagnostics, the National Institutes of Health, the Singapore Government, and the United Nations.

Yost is the creator of the High-Performance Flexibility® and Work+Life Fit® transformation frameworks, and the author of Work+Life: Finding the Fit That’s Right for You and Tweak It: Make What Matters to You Happen Every Day, the individual toolkit for flexible work and life success. Her February 2020 Harvard Business Review article on emergency remote work anticipated the operational challenges most organizations were still weeks away from recognizing. The New York Times has described her as “one of the most sophisticated thinkers” on the future of work. Her research and commentary appear regularly in the media, including CNBC, NBC Nightly News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, and NPR.

She was named to Governor Mikie Sherrill’s New Jersey Advisory Team for Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity, and recently opened CNBC’s Workforce Executive Council and the NJBIA Workforce Summit. She writes regularly on work transformation, technology, and talent on LinkedIn and Substack.

Amy Canning has over ten years of experience in management-side employment law and public sector law. Amy represents employers in matters such as wrongful discharge complaints and discrimination, retaliation and harassment claims, collective bargaining disputes, unfair labor practice charges, and employee grievances and arbitrations. Amy also works with independent and private schools on a variety of issues. Additionally, she advises clients in addressing and responding to complaints filed in local courts and administrative tribunals, including the federal Office of Civil Rights, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the New Jersey Superior Court.

Prior to joining Fisher Phillips, Amy practiced labor and employment law at a nationwide law firm with an emphasis on EPL insurance defense. She defended employers in New Jersey Superior Court in matters such as wrongful discharge claims, claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblower claims filed under statutory and common law.

Amy’s experience also includes more than seven years representing public school districts in all facets of public sector labor and employment law, including frequent appearances before the Public Employment Relations Commission and the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law.

After law school, Amy served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Paul Innes, Presiding Judge of the Mercer County Superior Court, Civil Division.

Alanna Vukcevich is the HR Manager at Cornerstone Family Programs & Morristown Neighborhood House, where she serves as a department-of-one and member of the executive leadership team. With over 15 years of experience across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services, she specializes in strategic workforce planning, employee engagement, and organizational development. Alanna holds a degree in Psychology, is SHRM-CP certified, and serves on the board of Morris County SHRM. She’s also a certified yoga teacher, integrating mindfulness into her leadership approach.

Alexa currently serves as the U.S. Human Resources Manager at Porcelanosa, overseeing all aspects of HR operations, compliance, and employee relations across 47 locations in 17 states, as well as the company’s operations throughout Canada.

Her HR career began as a filing clerk during a summer job reporting to the HR Manager, who later became a mentor and inspired her passion for the field. Over the past several years, Alexa has advanced from administrative support roles to an HR Generalist position and now into strategic HR leadership, where she focuses on aligning people strategy with business goals.

She is especially passionate about developing the next generation of HR professionals, drawing from her own experience of discovering her career path with the guidance and support of others along the way.

Maria Force has an undergraduate degree from Drew University and a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Stevens Institute of Technology. She is currently the VP of Human Resources for Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT) provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows™, which provides AI-capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms.

Maria has worked in a variety of industries, exposing her to many different work environments and their associated safety risks and crisis management policies.

Maria’s belief is that companies should place the highest priority on life safety – the welfare of all people including employees, community members, contractors, customers, visitors, and any emergency responders. Additionally, companies should take all measures to prevent and/or mitigate harm to the environment.

With over 42 years of dedicated service to the YMCA Movement, Richard “Rick” Gorab has been a transformative leader at the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges in New Jersey since 1988, serving as President and CEO since 2005. Under his visionary leadership, the Metro Y has experienced remarkable growth, evolving into a seven-branch association with $62 million in assets, an annual operating budget of $55 million, and a workforce of more than 1,700 staff supported by over 1,000 volunteers.

The Metro Y is recognized as one of the largest YMCAs in the United States and is a proud member of the YMCA Network of North America (YNAN). It has earned numerous accolades, including being named a Top Workplace by NJ.com and receiving Charity Navigator’s prestigious four-star rating for thirteen consecutive years while also earning a perfect 100 score—an honor achieved by only 1% of nonprofits nationwide.

Rick is a highly accomplished, cause-driven leader with proven expertise in fiscal management, financial development, strategic planning, board and facility development, risk management, and team building.

According to Rick, “Safety is priority one at the Metro YMCA. While you can never predict when a crisis will occur, preparedness followed by execution in a time of crisis is of critical organizational importance.

Molly Day serves as Chief Operating Officer at Moms First, where she translates vision into strategy in support of moms and families and galvanizes private sector leaders, policymakers, and most importantly, moms around Moms First’s vision. Prior to Moms First, Molly led the campaign Paid Leave for the United States (PL+US), which was focused on passing federal paid family and medical leave, and prior to that, served as Chief Strategy Officer at LIFT, a national nonprofit working to break the cycle of poverty by investing in parents. Molly lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, two kids, and their faithful rescue dog.

Taryn Abrahams, MFT, SHRM-CP is a workplace behavior and human interaction expert who supports companies, teams, and individuals in implementing behavioral best practices to enhance self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships. Her work aims to holistically strengthen workplace culture and leadership impact. Drawing on her background as a psychotherapist, Taryn designs innovative training programs, professional coaching, and consulting services that boost employee morale, enhance leadership effectiveness, and cultivate collaborative, productive environments.

Michael Serchia joined the Villa Restaurant Group Team in 2013 and is the Vice President of Talent and Culture Development. In this role, Michael leads the recruiting, human resources, benefits, training, corporate business insurance, and labor relations efforts for VRG and also serves as a member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team. Michael is the champion of VRG’s corporate culture and a firm believer that People make the difference. He and his team ensure that VRG’s recruiting practices and compensation and benefits programs attract the highest level of candidates while supporting VRG’s culture and retention initiatives. Michael is a past recipient of Nation’s Restaurant News Spirit Award for proactive employee recruiting and retention practices.

Before joining VRG, Michael gained his passion for the restaurant industry through twenty-five years of experience in food and beverage and retail organizations (both public and private) and previously through a career in international manufacturing and distribution. Michael has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Labor Relations from California State University, Northridge.

Michael and his wife Lisa live in Chester, NJ and both are avid Buffalo Bills fans and always enjoy a great cup of coffee/espresso!

Kristi D’Angeli is a dynamic and accomplished leader, holding the position of CEO & founder of WorkDynamX and Morris Technology Partners. She has built these national WBENC-certified (woman-owned) companies into thriving multi-million-dollar enterprises, each offering distinct and valuable services to their clients.

WorkDynamX offers comprehensive workforce solutions, including recruiting, HR consulting, employer branding, and more, tailored to businesses and individuals looking to excel and outperform the rest. Morris Technology Partners focuses on delivering cutting-edge technology services, including IT infrastructure, cloud solutions, strategic consulting, and managed service provider solutions to optimize operational efficiency.

Kristi’s career is marked by numerous accolades and recognitions. She has been honored as one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs in New Jersey, featured in Forbes Magazine as a Women Business Leader in New Jersey, and named a 40 Under 40 Winner by NJBIZ. In addition, her Alma Mater, Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, awarded her the prestigious Maroon and Gold Alumni Award.

Under Kristi’s leadership, WorkDynamX was recognized by NJBIZ as a “Best Place to Work” in New Jersey, reflecting the company’s commitment to creating an exceptional workplace culture. Beyond her professional achievements, Kristi is deeply involved in community service, serving on the Executive Board of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges.

Passionate about empowering women professionals, Kristi founded The Kaleidoscope Project, a professional network for women. She is also an active participant in various HR networking groups and is recognized for her ability to connect people, solve complex problems, and foster meaningful collaboration.

Kristi’s dedication to innovation, leadership, and community engagement continues to inspire others and drive positive change in the industries she serves.

Lisa L. Knothe is an accomplished human resources leader with over 25 years of experience in leveraging HR capabilities and partnerships to achieve organizational objectives in both corporate and non-profit environments. She has a proven track record of leading high-performing teams, developing talent, and building collaborative relationships across organizations. Lisa’s expertise spans various HR functions, including employee relations, recruitment and retention strategies, employment law, benefit programs development and administration, policies and procedures development, strategic planning, change management, culture and engagement leadership, and career development and coaching.

Currently, Lisa is the Principal at LLK Consulting LLC, where she applies her extensive experience in human resources strategic operations and leadership in support of all HR needs for organizations. She also provides career development services including coaching, mentoring and job search preparation for individuals at all stages of their career path. Lisa is also employed as an adjunct professor of Psychology at Essex County College.

Previously, Lisa served as the Vice President of Human Resources at RWJBarnabas Health, Children’s Specialized Hospital, where she developed and executed HR functions in support of the hospital’s strategic plan. She has also held various HR leadership roles at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, where she led organizational HR strategy and vision, and at other organizations, where she developed and implemented HR functions and programs.

Lisa holds a Master of Science in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Human Resources Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Business from Kean University. She is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the HR Certification Institute, a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from Society of Human Resources Management, holds a Confidence Coaching Certification from the American Confidence Institute, and has completed various professional development programs, including the Non-Profit Executive Leaders Program at Rutgers University and the LeadNJ Fellowship.

Kim Crotty, Vice President of the HR Consulting Practice for WorkDynamX, leads the division in providing HR expertise and customized solutions for businesses. She and her team consult with national clients to enhance HR competencies. As a fractional CHRO, she holds a Certificate in Executive Coaching, a Certificate in Mastering Talent Management from Wharton Executive Education, is a Helix™ Certified Facilitator, and has a Bachelor of Science from William Paterson University. Kim has held HR leadership roles in healthcare, financial services, and chemical/pharmaceutical companies. She thoroughly enjoys mentoring HR and business professionals and was named one of the Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs in New Jersey in 2021.

Dr. Patti Murray is a human resources executive with wide-ranging experience at multi-site organizations. Dr. Murray is currently Vice President Human Resources at Children’s Aid and Family Services, and she has also served in Human Resources leadership roles at Camfil USA, Pillar Care Continuum, RWJBarnabas Health and Nabisco. She is a SHRM Certified Professional, and holds a Master of Science in Human Resources and a Doctor in Business Administration degree from Thomas Edison State University. She serves as a volunteer on the board of The Atlantic Federal Credit Union as Treasurer, and chairs the governance committee on the board of North Jersey Friendship House. Additionally, she is an advisor to the Seton Hall program: Transformational Leadership in Disruptive Times.

Mari Marques-Thomas (she/her) is Vice President, Impact & Belonging for Crum & Forster (C&F) based in Morristown, NJ. With a proud history going back to 1822, C&F provides market-leading property & casualty, accident & health and specialty insurance products through its admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. Mari is a DiversityFIRST Certified Executive (DFCDE), who in this role, in partnership with internal stakeholders, she strategizes, builds, and executes company-wide social impact & inclusion initiatives, education, and partnerships that support C&F’s values and objectives. Prior to joining C&F, Mari held progressive executive positions at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WHR), including VP of HR-Organizational Change Management and VP of Global Talent Management. She also served as the Vice President, Social & Talent Development responsible for developing strategy and implementing deliverables to raise awareness, develop knowledge, skills and abilities resulting in employees engaged in helping build an inclusive workforce and culture. Mari was awarded the Tri-State Diversity Multi-Cultural Leadership Award for her work in not only upholding and promoting the principles of inclusion and leadership but also making a difference through achievement and exemplifying excellence in her field. Mari was recognized as a 2021 Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneur of New Jersey by the Leading Women Entrepreneurs organization. She is also a former board member of the Tri-State Diversity Council and the Board of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)-Morris County Chapter. Currently, chairs the Morris County Chamber of Commerce’s Inclusivity Advisory Council and serves on the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s IDEA Council, a group focused on strategies to move the insurance industry forward on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.

Matthew is the Chief HR Officer at PIM Brands, the maker of Welch’s Fruit Snacks and other well-known confectionery brands. Before joining PIM Brands, he led the HR function at The Golden Touch Group and held key leadership roles at major Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including Bed Bath & Beyond, Mars, Inc., Accenture, and Kraft Foods. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science from William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, and a Master’s in Human Resource Management from Cornell University’s School of Industrial & Labor Relations in Ithaca, NY. Passionate about transforming the HR function, having dedicated his career to making HR both more visible and strategically impactful, challenging outdated perceptions of HR as a purely administrative or “policing” function.