2023 HR Connect
A premier forum for HR leaders, business owners, & advisors
to collaborate on the latest benefit trends
May 16th | 1-6 PM
An exclusive event in collaboration with:
featured Speakers
Arden Clise
Founder & President
Arden Clise is the Founder & President of Clise Etiquette, where she provides expert guidance on business etiquette and customer service. She is an author, speaker, trainer, and coach, with extensive experience helping companies empower their employees to be confident, polished, and courteous. Arden is the author of Spinach in Your Boss's Teeth: Essential Etiquette for Professional Success and has been featured in publications such as Biz Journals, Real Simple Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. As a highly engaging speaker, Arden has won multiple awards and has become known for her fun, interactive programs. We are delighted to have her share her knowledge on essential business etiquette at our event.
This session will be offered again virtually on May 25th
Jason Roberts
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Jason is the CEO of Pension Resource Institute, LLC (PRI), a firm that assists financial institutions in implementing and maintaining profitable strategies for serving retirement investors. He is also the managing partner of Retirement Law Group (RLG), which provides retirement-related services to clients. Jason previously worked as a partner and co-chair of the Financial Services Group at a leading ERISA law firm and as head of the Investment Fiduciary practice for a national securities law firm. Jason's expertise in the field of retirement regulations and compliance makes him a valuable speaker and resource for our event attendees.
Karl Rand
ERISA / Employee Benefits Attorney
Karl Rand is an experienced ERISA/Employee Benefits Attorney who assists AP/Keenan clients with maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations related to employee benefits. With over 30 years of experience, Karl has advised plan sponsors and fiduciaries on various employee benefits matters, including the ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and ERISA fiduciary law. He has also served as an expert witness in ERISA litigation cases. At the upcoming event, Karl will be sharing his insights on the challenges and opportunities of implementing employee benefits programs under the ever-changing regulatory landscape.
Shannon Swift
Founder & CEO
Shannon Swift is the founder and CEO of Swift HR Solutions, Inc., a company that provides strategic HR, talent, and leadership services to early to mid-stage companies. With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and executive roles, Shannon has a wealth of knowledge in the healthcare, life sciences, and technology industries. She has also served on the boards of several organizations and has been recognized for her work in the tech industry. As a frequent public speaker on HR issues and best practices, Shannon is dedicated to helping companies succeed. Join us at our event as she shares her expertise on HR automation and solutions for growing companies.
Caitlin Leak
Director of Learning & Leadership
Caitlin Leak, Director of Learning & Leadership, leverages her 20 years of experience in the insurance industry to offer customized training and development solutions to organizations. Using skill, behavior, and research-driven principles, Caitlin and her team work closely with stakeholders to create bespoke content that meets the specific needs and feedback of leaders and employees. With a unique perspective on tailoring courses to fit into the busy demands of insurance leaders' schedules, Caitlin's focus is on empowering individuals to achieve their personal and professional goals. With her extensive background in leadership development, Caitlin's presentation is sure to inspire a unique perspective on professional development to all attendees of HR Connect.
Jodi Smith
Director, Clinical Strategy
Dr. Jodi Smith, RN, MSN, ND, has over two decades of Health Plan experience as a clinician and administrator. She has spent the last four years leading clinical quality for digital wellbeing platforms and has spent the last year at Virgin Pulse. She is a Master Trainer of Stanford’s patient-centered Chronic Disease Self-Management program and a certified Case Manager. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her incredible husband, two amazing daughters, dog Rìo and 182 microbreweries. We are thrilled to have her with us for HR Connect to provide us with insight on the top 5 Wellbeing Trends to watch.
Kerri DiCicco
Director, Business Development
Kerri DiCicco, Director, Business Development, has spent over 30 years in the healthcare industry. In her role at Progyny, Kerri partners with consultants and employers to provide end to end family - building solutions that drive superior clinical outcomes and cost savings. Prior to joining Progyny, she held various sales roles with Great-West Healthcare and Cigna, and with Anthem where she had responsibility for large accounts. We look forward to having Kerri with us at HR Connect to speak on our panel about benefit trends and strategy.
John Keating
Employee Benefits Sales Consultant
John started his career in the Northeast with Unum Life Insurance Company, managing employee life & disability claims, taking on corporate projects specific to identifying operational efficiencies and soon thereafter, Group Underwriting. John later moved to the Pacific Northwest and 23 years later still resides in the Seattle area enjoying his time at Mutual of Omaha; currently assisting broker partners specific to Group Benefit and FMLA/Leave Solutions for employer’s and their employees. Join us for our Employee Benefits & Strategy panel at this year's HR Connect, where John will share valuable insight from his perspective as a 31-year veteran in the Employee Benefits industry.
Kendra Read
Vice President, Therapy
Kendra Read, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Vice President of Therapy at Brightline. Previously, she served as the Director of the Mood & Anxiety Program and Director of Anxiety Programs at Seattle Children’s Hospital, as well as the Director of Psychotherapy Training at the University of Washington School of Medicine Child Psychiatry Fellowship. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She completed her internship in pediatric psychology at Nemours Hospital for Children and her postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department. Dr. Read specializes in the treatment of youth with anxiety disorders and OCD from a cognitive behavioral therapy perspective. She is highly invested in increasing access to evidence-based behavioral health interventions for youth and their families. We are looking forward to having her at HR Connect with us.