Opening Comments & Emcee

Jennifer McClure is a keynote speaker and future of work strategist who empowers leaders and organizations to unleash their potential and accelerate results. As the CEO of Unbridled Talent and Chief Excitement Officer of DisruptHR,
she blends decades of executive leadership experience with a passion for developing innovative, human-centered people strategies.
A sought-after global keynote speaker, Jennifer guides leaders in navigating the evolving world of work, emphasizing high-impact leadership and the creation of thriving, inclusive workplace cultures. Her insights stem from practical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure/

Performance Feedback - Mirror or Weapon?

Dee is a dedicated Employee Experience Consultant specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Passionate about building environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued, Dee excels at partnering with stakeholders to develop strategies that drive equitable outcomes and create lasting, inclusive transformation. She is known for her empathetic approach and actionable insights, which help leaders and teams navigate complex workplace dynamics, ensuring every voice is celebrated. Dee has been recognized for her dynamic and engaging facilitation style, which connects with participants to build empathy, encourage understanding, and enhance cultural competence. She is always eager to foster spaces that promote psychological safety and empower individuals to thrive.

www.linkedin.com/in/deirdrecarter

Inspired Hiring: Casting Against Type

Robert is a certified LMS Administrator and Solutions Architect who holds a PhD in Dramatic Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. His career path has taken him through many roles in academia, human resources, corporate communications, and nonprofit arts management. He is committed to using learning technology to empower a culture of dynamic lifelong learning for a variety of institutional audiences. Robert moved to the Finger Lakes area in May 2024 with his husband Justin and their three cats and is grateful to be a part of the Greater ROC Relocate program.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lloyd-charles-phd-70a5895/

Flammable Leadership: Managing Triggers Before Things Burn Down

Jordan Sahr is a dedicated entrepreneur with 14 years of experience and a commitment to fostering resilience and connection. As the Director of Community Mobilization at Miss Julie’s School of Beauty, she cultivates a trauma-informed approach to community education, emphasizing safety, empowerment, and healing alongside professional development. Certified in restorative circles, reflective practice, and mental health safety, Jordan holds space for individuals and communities to feel seen, heard, and supported. With a passion for understanding trauma-informed care, she empowers others with tools to navigate growth and transformation with compassion and intention. As a community leader, she inspires meaningful connections that bridge the gap between skill-building and emotional well-being.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbettssahr

Employee-Centered Communication…Let Them Opt Out

Jen DiMarzio is a trusted internal communications strategist who’s obsessed with creating consumer-grade experiences for employees. She honed her expertise across a spectrum of corporate ecosystems: as Employee Communications & Change Management Director at Molina Healthcare, a Fortune 500 company; Head of Employee Experience at Panoramic Health as it grew beyond start-up mode; and as Leader of Corporate & Internal Communications at MVP Health Care, a regional non-for-profit health plan. Jen became a Prosci®-certified Change Management Practitioner in 2023 to help leaders navigate the people side of organizational change. She launched Jen DiMarzio Consulting to see women-owned and led businesses thrive, igniting their employee communities by connecting people to purpose, improving change success, and driving business results.

[If most bios include personal, please add: Jen moved to the Rochester area from Cleveland in 2003 and currently lives in Webster. You’ll find her with her family and a good cup of coffee wherever there are hiking trails, board games, or books.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-dimarzio/

Small No for a Big Yes

Amy Gurske, Founder & CEO of sayhii, is a right- and left-brain innovator, self-proclaimed “lifetime student”, and human behavior guru. Amy went beyond her undergrad roots of engineering to pursue degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology to best understand why humans act the way they do to better understand their unique needs. With a 20+ year diverse career in Corporate America at organizations such as Grainger and Amazon, she worked as a leader across teams such as Management Consulting, Global Supply Chain, Change Management, Customer Success and Solutions Architecture, Amy realized the only glass ceiling that exists is the one we put on ourselves and has made it one of her goals to help as many people break down those barriers and celebrate the differences that allow us to innovate and thrive.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/%E2%9C%A8amy-gurske-6a04974/

Make The Most Out Of Your Trip to the Restroom

Ashton has been in management for 25+ years. He has served 6 years of active duty as a US Marine as an NCO, has experience in sales, retail, security, operations and HR management. He began working in HR in 2013 when his employer at the time (UPS) moved into that department, where he developed his passion for working with people with the profession. Ashton is passionate about Leadership, Strategy and Human Resources and volunteers as a Subject Matter expert (SME) with HRCI. He has 5 kids 20, 18, 11, 8,7 and is also an avid beekeeper, and an amateur etymologist. Ashton holds advanced degrees in Theology & Business Management and has the certifications for SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and PHR.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashton-nelson-sphr-shrm-scp-phr-8ba28b103/