Speaking & Professional Workshops

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.

Elene Costan is a highly experienced Human Resources Executive with over 25 years of expertise across both national and global levels. She has a talent for turning strategic vision into practical action, having worked in every area of HR—from employee benefits to implementing advanced technology solutions. Elene’s career spans organizations of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, where she consistently delivers results in areas such as Strategic Planning, HRIS implementation, recruitment, and employee relations. Elene holds a BS in Business Management and is a Certified Human Resource Manager (NYU) and an HRCI Certified Human Resource Executive.

Elene joined Berjé in 2020, and in 2022 she became part of the leadership team along with her promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Elene has sat on STEM non-profit boards, HR legislative panels and continues to be active in many volunteer opportunities. She combines her technical knowledge with a people-first approach to ensure that her teams are supported, engaged, and set up to succeed.

Kimberly Rodriguez is a strategic, data-driven executive leader with a proven track record of driving transformation across diverse industries. Her journey began at age 11 in a suburban Chicago corner store, where she first learned the value of hard work and resilience—qualities that continue to define her leadership today.
As a trusted advisor to C-suite teams, Kimberly excels in executing strategic initiatives and delivering tactical solutions that drive sustainable growth. Colleagues and partners describe her as “thoughtful and insightful,” with a strong commitment to teamwork and collaboration. Her ability to uncover root causes and implement effective solutions has made her an invaluable asset to organizations ranging from entrepreneurial ventures to Fortune 500 companies.

Since February 2023, Kimberly has been a key member of the leadership team at the Food Import Group, a third-generation family-owned company specializing in sourcing high-quality foods from around the world. As the company’s first Human Resources leader, reporting directly to the CEO and President, she has shaped the organization’s HR strategy, implemented its first full-cycle performance management system, and leveraged technology to enhance efficiency and accountability. She also partnered with NJMEP to launch a state-funded training program focused on up-skilling employees and strengthening workforce development.

Recognized for her technical expertise, Kimberly has successfully led the sourcing, evaluation, and implementation of modern technologies that have transformed employee engagement and organizational culture. Before her current role, she served in a Director-level role at Renaissance Lakewood, LLC, a contract R&D and manufacturing company in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, where she built a comprehensive workforce and HR management framework that delivered cost savings and positioned the company for scalable growth.

At Hudson Technologies, in a VP-level role, Kimberly played a pivotal role in doubling the company’s gross profit by developing and strengthening its HR infrastructure. From 2013 to 2019, she served in a VP-level role at Command Companies, where she established and led the company’s first formal HR department. Under her leadership, the company experienced four-fold growth over six years, with her expertise in navigating complex labor unions and managing multiple divisions proving instrumental to its success.

Kimberly’s career began in top-tier organizations like NaviSys (now part of Accenture) and Stryker, where she honed her commitment to process rigor, operational excellence, and cultivating high- performance workplace cultures.

Currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA while completing her Master of Human Resources Management degree at Rutgers University, Kimberly also holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix and a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from HRCI. She is also dedicated to giving back, having served as a Hospice Support Volunteer for VITAS Healthcare.

Beyond her professional achievements, Kimberly has been a featured speaker at prominent industry events, including the GSC SHRM Convention in Atlantic City, NJMEP’s Women in Manufacturing event, and the Mercer SIRS Compensation Roundtable. She has also contributed to panel discussions hosted by the NJRC-SHRM chapter at FDU.

Larisa Levy is an accomplished HR Executive with over 20 years of experience in HR operations, talent management, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), and client partnerships. Currently serving as the V.P. of Operations and Client Relations at WorkDynamX, Larisa leads initiatives for the Recruiting Division, driving strategic growth and client success.

Throughout her career, Larisa has managed global and national teams and was responsible for overseeing the operations of several recruitment firms. Her portfolio of clients ranges from prominent and well-known Fortune 500 companies to technology and biotech companies, as well as the not-for-profit community. Larisa has also successfully led RPO programs across diverse industries, delivering impactful solutions to clients and proven results.

Early Career at Employment Horizons – Lisa was hired as a Job Coach in the summer of 1998, soon after graduation. She soon found her love of marketing and business development when she assisted many job candidates in finding employment. Five years later, she accepted the position as Manager of the Supported Employment division, where she ran the operations overseeing 13 professional staff and the quality of services for up to 200 individuals with special needs.

In 2004, Lisa received state-wide acknowledgement when she received the Community Service award for her dedication and services to people with disabilities through ACCSES NJ.

During the winter of 2011, Lisa was promoted to Director of Business Development. Her responsibility included strengthening and creating working relationships with businesses on behalf of the four services that Employment Horizons provides while creating work for people with disabilities. While the manufacturing community embraced their mission, it was not until Lisa targeted this industry through her business development that their relationships with NJ-based suppliers tripled. From Health & Beauty to Food and Pharmaceuticals, Lisa’s efforts have directly resulted in the employment and success of hundreds of individuals with disabilities in achieving meaningful, paid employment.

Lisa’s role changed in 2018 to oversee all relationship development and enhancement factors at Employment Horizons. As Director of Development, her responsibility spanned both business development and fundraising initiatives/events, which was a pivotal time in her career, placing her on the path for what was to come.

Lisa was honored to become the CEO of Employment Horizons in May 2022 after running the organization since January of the same year. She delights in leading advocacy efforts, relationship building, and advancing additional opportunities for the hundreds of people with disabilities served by Employment Horizons each year.

Lisa has been married to Michael, the love of her life, for 21 years. They have the cutest Mexican Hairless dog named Nutmeg, born with hair! Lisa’s a total music buff and can talk about tunes and food all day.

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!

Dynamic Human Resources Leader | Champion of People, Culture & Organizational Growth, Jackie is an energetic, growth-minded Human Resources professional with a proven track record of delivering impactful HR strategies that align with organizational goals, foster inclusive cultures, and drive business success. With a passion for lifelong learning and a commitment to results, Jackie brings over 20 years of experience partnering with leadership at all levels to shape high-performing, empowered workplaces.

Throughout Jackie’s career, she has successfully led transformative initiatives—from launching DEI programs and employee resource groups to implementing HRIS systems and securing significant funding for workforce development. Whether streamlining operations or cultivating talent, she thrives in aligning HR functions with business strategy to create positive, measurable change. A few recent highlights of Jackie’s accomplishments include leading the YMCA NJ State Alliance HR Network, spearheading the YMCA’s inaugural African American Employee Resource Group, and leading an enterprise-wide DEI education task force have resulted in enhanced employee experiences, improved processes, and strengthened organizational performance. She is driven by purpose, inspired by people, and dedicated to making workplaces equitable, inclusive, and future-ready.

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. Solange Charas is an esteemed expert in human capital, corporate governance, and strategic HR management. With over 36 years of experience as an educator, executive, board director, and consultant, she has established herself as a pioneering voice in optimizing the return on investment in human capital. Dr. Charas holds a Ph.D. in Designing Sustainable Systems from Case Western Reserve University, with her research focusing on the impact of executive team behavior on economic value creation. She also earned an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Cornell University and a BA in International Political Economy from UC Berkeley.

Currently a Professor of Practice at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies in the Human Capital Management program, Dr. Charas has also held teaching positions at USC, NYU, and the University of Washington. She has designed and instructed numerous courses, including Finance for Effective Human Capital Management, Quantitative Model Building for HR Professionals, People Analytics, and Transforming Total Rewards, reflecting her dedication to bridging theory with practical application.

Dr. Charas is the founder and CEO of HCMoneyball, a firm specializing in data-driven human capital analytics to support business strategy and performance. She serves as a contributor for Forbes Magazine, an Editorial Board Advisor for WorldatWork, and an Advisory Board Member for The Conference Board. Her work with the ISO/ANSI Technical Committee further underscores her commitment to developing global standards for human capital reporting.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Dr. Charas has delivered keynotes and panel discussions for prestigious organizations such as the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), WorldatWork, and The Conference Board. Her insights on human capital analytics, corporate governance, and diversity have influenced policy and business strategies across industries. She frequently addresses topics like the material impact of human capital, the role of AI in HR, and the strategic importance of team dynamics.

Dr. Charas is widely published, co-authoring books such as Humanizing Human Capital and contributing to The Handbook of Board Governance. Her articles appear in outlets like Harvard Business Review, Financier Worldwide, and SmartBrief. She has written more than 300 articles.

In her pro bono work, Dr. Charas actively supports women-focused organizations, including PowHer New York, Lift Our Voices, and the Thirty Percent Coalition, advocating for diversity in boardrooms and workplace equity and agency. Her innovative research projects focus on the intersection of human capital performance, corporate outcomes, and societal impact.

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.