Cleveland HR Star Conference Thursday, August 6, 2026 Featured Presenters Christopher Boucher, Esq., AWI-CH, CLRM, SHRM-SCP is a Founding Attorney at Boucher Law and a Keynote Speaker. Christopher’s practice focuses on labor and employment law. His expertise includes representing employers in a union environment, including labor negotiations, and the meaning and application of labor contract provisions. He also serves as trusted counsel to employers throughout California regarding workplace investigations, employee discipline, grievance issues, reasonable accommodation issues and other labor and employment law matters. In addition, his clients value his practical HR experience. Prior to entering private practice, Christopher spent over a decade as a seasoned human resources executive with a broad spectrum of experience, including municipalities, public utilities, aviation, maritime, special districts, K-12 as well as higher education. Most notably, Christopher served as the Director of Human Resources for the Port of Oakland from 2014 to 2018. As an experienced workplace investigator, Christopher holds the Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder credential, in addition to serving as part-time faculty for the Association’s Training Institute for Workplace Investigators. Christopher has been featured as a “Top Five Rising Stars” by Human Resource Executive magazine, and has received many prominent recognitions for his accomplishments as an attorney, including America’s Top 50 Lawyers, MyLegalWin's Top 10 Employment Attorneys and Top Lawyer by the American Institute of Legal Advocates. Christopher earned his B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and graduated cum laude with a J.D. from the Abraham Lincoln University School of Law. In addition, he received a professional certificate from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and attended the Harvard Negotiation Institute at Harvard Law School. Kathryn Heidemann is the President + CEO of the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), a premier and innovative college of art and design. As CIA's first female president in over a century, she is leading transformative efforts that fuse creativity, technology and civic engagement, including the newly launched $13 million Interactive Media Lab. Kathryn brings more than 25 years of multifaceted experience in arts administration and higher education. Prior to her Presidency, which began in July 2022, she served as CIA’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer. Her professional background also includes leadership roles at Carnegie Mellon University, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Chicago Academy for the Arts, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland and her mayoral appointment as Art Commissioner for the City of Pittsburgh. Kathryn has been recognized for her visionary leadership by Smart Business Magazine, Cleveland Magazine and by Ohio Business Magazine as one of Ohio’s Most Influential Leaders. She earned her Master of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University and her undergraduate degree from Columbia College Chicago. As a longtime rock ’n’ roll bass player, Kathryn brings her rock spirit to everything she does - championing bold ideas, breaking down barriers and disrupting in all the right ways to reimagine the future of creative education. Christina M. Royer, Esq., M.A. is a Partner with Employment Law Partners. She has practiced exclusively in the area of employment law representing individuals since 2004. Chris brings a breadth of experience in the area, in particular, her knowledge and skill regarding Ohio unemployment compensation law. Chris was selected as a "Rising Star" from 2009 to 2011 by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, and she has also been selected as a "Super Lawyer" in the area of Employment Law by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine since 2012. Chris's practice includes representing individuals in cases involving employment discrimination and retaliation, unemployment compensation claims, non-compete agreements and severance negotiations. Chris is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Ohio Employment Lawyers Association, where she has served on the Board and the Amicus Committee since 2007. She also served as Chair of the Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Royer is also a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, serving as the 2014-2015 Chair of the Court Rules Committee. In addition to her law practice, Chris serves individuals in the workplace as an Executive Coach. She completed the coach certification program at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in May 2013 and also holds an Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. Chris's coaching practice focuses primarily on working with employees whose behaviors present challenges to the organization, assisting them to enhance their performance and become effective contributors in the workplace. She also coaches individuals who are seeking to attain greater career satisfaction and work/life balance, as well as assisting them to build or hone leadership skills. Chris was recently appointed as adjunct faculty at Cleveland State University teaching Human Resources topics to graduate level students in the Diversity Management Program. Chris is a frequent speaker on topics relating to employment issues. Chris earned her M.A. from Kent State University and her J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law, Summa Cum Laude. Jennifer Corso, Esq. is a Partner at Petronzio Schneier Co. LPA and has represented organizations in labor and employment law for almost 30 years. Jennifer offers employers a proactive approach to employment matters, innovative solutions and top-rate advocacy in defending employee claims. She is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Labor and Employment Law and represents employers in federal, state and appellate courts. Jennifer also performs workplace investigations, employment practices audits, supervisory training and employment counseling. In addition she represents clients participating in mediation, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution procedures involving employment matters. She has written several articles and has spoken at numerous events on employment law topics. Jennifer has been named both a “Super Lawyer” (2015-2023) and a “Rising Star Super Lawyer” (2005) by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine, which identifies outstanding Ohio lawyers who have demonstrated superior professional potential. Jennifer is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and earned her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Amy B. Shannon is both the President of Pinnacle Leadership Solutions as well as a Partner in Your Partner in HR. She has specialized in organizational development, human resources and training for over 25 years. Amy’s past roles include 15 years as Director of Human Resources with Western-Southern Enterprise and Kendle International. In both organizations, Amy built nationally recognized corporate universities. Kendle College served 1300 employees in 8 countries taught in 3 languages. She has also served as Executive Director of Corporate College where she built leadership training curriculum for her clients. Amy currently works in roles ranging from executive coach to strategic planning expert to facilitator to trainer. She holds certifications from several national training vendors and is also a certified mediator. In addition, Amy was a featured speaker at The Corporate University Week at Disney Institute and has been a regular presenter at the HR Star Conference for the past 18 years including in Atlanta - and next year in Los Angeles. Susan Pyles, MA is the Vice President, Professional Development at ERC where she oversees delivery of all client service solutions. An award-winning human resource leader, Susan brings more than 20 years of achievements in talent management and assessment, performance management, employee experience, HR analytics, leadership development, coaching and workforce planning. Susan has leadership experience in many industries, including manufacturing, retail, financial services, health care and academia. Previously as Director, Global Talent Management & HR Business Partner at MTD Products, Susan was responsible for talent acquisition, planning and development, HR analytics and employee engagement. Susan led a variety of global initiatives at MTD, including talent review, succession planning, leadership competency, 360 assessment, performance management as well as the launch of an online learning solution. Prior to MTD Susan was Manager, Talent Development at Invacare. Before that she was Practice Leader & Senior Consultant at ERC, where she led a variety of initiatives, including performance management, career development, executive coaching, leadership development, talent assessments and strategic planning projects. Before originally joining ERC Susan spent a decade in the learning and performance department of Ohio Savings/AmTrust Bank, ultimately leading the department as Vice President. Under her leadership, Ohio Savings was a multi-year recipient of ERC’s NorthCoast 99 Award and Training Magazine’s Top 100 Award. Susan carries nearly a dozen certifications, holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Ohio University and holds a Master of Arts degree from Kent State University. Kris Cannon-Jackson, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CDP, CTA is the Founder of InnerGi Consulting and a consultant with GO-HR, LLC. A dynamic international speaker, transformational HR leader and culture strategist with over 20 years of experience, Kris delivers actionable solutions that drive performance, foster belonging and transform workplace cultures. She has successfully guided Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits and community organizations to measurable success - boosting employee engagement, streamlining processes and reducing turnover through innovative people strategies. Her facilitation and leadership approach seamlessly blends people analytics, diversity strategy and leadership development allowing her to prioritize people while improving key performance indicators. A passionate advocate for community impact across Columbus, Kris currently serves in several key executive board roles: President-Elect for the Human Resources Association of Central Ohio, Vice Chair for Divercity614 and Secretary for the Columbus Children’s Choir Board. A recognized force in the industry, Kris holds an MBA in Human Resource Management and Leadership, a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Business Administration and advanced certifications including SPHR, SHRM-SCP and Certified Diversity Practitioner (CDP). In addition she has earned credentials in People Analytics from SHRM and Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. Kris was recently named the winner of the 2026 HR Impact Award. Stacy Sufka, MPA, MAC, MBAn, SHRM-SCP, SPHR is the Founder and CEO of Gladegy Consulting - a capacity-building consulting firm offering a suite of strategic organizational development services. These include human resource and organizational development consulting, executive and leadership coaching as well as corporate training and assessments. Known for her proactive approach, Stacy has excelled in various aspects of strategy, operations, continuous improvement and human resources. Her pragmatism and focus allows her to thrive in dynamic environments while driving business results. Previously, as the Chief Strategy and People Officer for an IDD provider, Stacy lead executive responsibilities for an array of services and initiatives within the organization, including spearheading the organization's Business Intelligence capabilities, leading the strategic planning process, and ensuring alignment of strategy, structure, systems and people. At the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), she conducted accreditation site visits and provided consultation and technical assistance to organizations. Stacy holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling and a Master of Public Affairs and Administration. In addition she holds a specialization in strategy from Harvard as well as numerous certifications in executive coaching, organizational development, organizational excellence, strategic management, change management, human resources and data analytics. Sonya Weiland, PHR, SHRM-CP is the Founder of Your Partner in HR based in Northeast Ohio. Focused on building positive relationships as a strategic partner with clients, Sonya has partnered with senior executives developing talent management and HR solutions with clear links to business results. Her expertise includes creating, designing and implementing training, coaching and HR systems for clients such as Sandridge Foods, PIRHL Contractors, Taleris Credit Union and Ralston Instruments. Sonya is certified as a Professional in Human Resources through HRCI and is an active member of both SHRM and The Cleveland Coach Federation and has contributed to articles in The Cleveland Plain Dealer and various business publications. Sonya is recognized as an enthusiastic and interactive speaker and trainer supporting various companies, non-profit organizations and associations. A strong advocate for community involvement, Sonya serves on an advisory board and supports multiple non-profit organizations. Sonya is a graduate of John Carroll University. Tom Wirbel, MBA is Vice President of Alera Group. Originally joining CPI-HR as a Benefits Consultant, through innovative and successful strategies Tom has achieved notable results in aiding client-companies manage the escalating costs of health insurance. Motivated by client feedback that continues to point to health insurance as the number one HR concern, Tom focuses his expertise on developing and designing employee benefit plans. Throughout his career, Tom has also acted as an HR consultant to small and medium-sized businesses in Northeastern Ohio. A native of Cleveland, Tom graduated from John Carroll University with a BSBA and earned an MBA from Cleveland State University. Sara Ismail-Beigi Bartlett, MODC, ACC is the Founder and Principal Consultant of MOD Network LLC - an organization focused on organizational development, change management, leadership development, professional development and executive coaching. Sara partners with individuals and organizations to find possibility in every challenge. With 25+ years of professional experience in clinical, corporate and non-profit settings, Sara utilizes her diverse skill set to make change possible. With expertise in non-profit management, customer service/call center management, executive education, recruitment and clinical trial management, she is able to work with ease with frontline, technical and executive audiences alike. Sara obtained her Bachelors in Management from Case Western Reserve University and her Masters in Organizational Development from Bowling Green State University. Tom Ault, MBA is Senior Solutions Consultant and Trainer at ERC. Tom has over 25 years of international experience in leadership effectiveness and operational development in 17 different countries. Previous to joining ERC Tom was Business Improvement Manager and Senior Organization Development Specialist at Diebold, Inc. His wide range of accomplishments include: leading LEAN Six Sigma deployment, implementing large-scale team certification, facilitating global leadership sessions and saving over $90 million for Diebold. In addition Tom's expertise includes training and consulting in performance management, team building, strategic planning, 360-degree assessments, change management and conflict management. Tom earned his Executive MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College and his B.S. in Accounting from West Liberty State College. Also he holds a Motorola Six Sigma Green Belt and has been through the Case Weatherhead Diebold Sales Leadership program. Tom's certifications include Master Trainer, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and The Leadership Circle 360. DeAnna R. Hanzel, MA, SPHR, CBA, PMP, LSSBB is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Talent Ecosystem Innovations, LLC. DeAnna is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in learning, talent, organizational efficiency and change management. She has worked for Fortune 500 companies, including KeyBank from 2012-2016 and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from 2016-2024. Her success in designing and delivering people-centric solutions inspired her to launch her own firm, Talent Ecosystem Innovations, LLC., in 2025. DeAnna received her degrees from Hiram College where she studied industrial and organizational psychology as well as business communication. She has earned certifications in human resources, business architecture, project management, lean six sigma,coaching and facilitation. DeAnna is in the process of writing a book focused on organizational efficiency and culture. Eric Roggenbaum is the Director of Strategic Accounts for Prologistix/Employbridge. In this role he oversees and is responsible for driving operations at the largest Employbridge clients in the region. His commitment to advocate for temporary workers has driven his career success, both in sales and operations within the staffing industry. Eric currently manages a portfolio of 6 site locations - including 9 direct reports - overseeing between 500-700 temporary associates. Starting with Employbridge as a Business Development Manager almost 10 years ago, he was soon promoted to Growth Director. Prior to Employbridge, Eric began his career working for the State of Pennsylvania as well as in the private sector for financial planning and insurance. He also has been an entrepreneur, owning a successful business for 8 years. Eric is a proud graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego with a degree in Applied Cognitive Psychology. Viktoria Lévay is the Corporate Wellness Director at Mack Industries and Founder of LÉVAY.co, where she partners with HR leaders to elevate employee well-being, engagement and performance. She designs and delivers high-impact wellness strategies - from 1:1 coaching and team education to content development and community-building initiatives - that drive measurable outcomes and ROI. Blending data, coaching and science-backed tools like HeartMath®, Viktoria’s practical, people-centered approach helps organizations create healthier, more resilient and connected work cultures. Focus areas include employee wellness, stress management, mental health optimization, leadership development, change management and implementation of sustainable lifestyle for high functioning performance and productivity. In addition, Viktoria facilitates leadership trainings and provides coaching for executives on how to design and implement stress management programs for their organizations. Her client list includes: Starbucks, Excelas, 7Signal, Ohio Real Title, NOOK Industries, ArmorCode, C-Vision International, TT Electronics, Corrigan Krause, The Cuyahoga Group, South Franklin Circle, K2 Manufacturing and YPO Cleveland. Viktoria was recently featured on Fox8 Cleveland. Evan Hunt, Esq. is an Associate Attorney with Martin Jolic and Associates, LLC - a boutique immigration law firm with offices in Cleveland and San Diego. Founded in 2000, the firm has a strong reputation for expertise in the areas of employment, removal defense and family-based immigration law. Evan has worked in the immigration law field in Washington D.C., Miami and Cleveland. He handles an array of cases, including family-based permanent residency applications, non-immigrant visas as well as other personal immigration matters. For employers Evan handles J-1 Exchange Visitor Waivers, O-1 Visas, H-1B and H-2B Visas and similar visa categories. Evan graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the George Washington University Law School. He is licensed to practice law in Ohio as well as in the District of Columbia. Karen Clark, MBA, MHRM/IS, CDP is the Founder and CEO of Spire Consulting and Training, LLC where she inspires individuals across all organizational levels, fostering inclusive environments and driving positive change in aspiring ways. Karen is an accomplished HR professional and master trainer with nearly 30 years of professional experience spanning education, business, talent management and recruiting. In addition, Karen is a highly-rated speaker and thought leader known for a dynamic facilitation style that combines deep subject matter expertise with interactive audience engagement. She has developed and implemented innovative curricula addressing critical organizational topics such as career development, college literacy and cultural competency. Karen maintains a lifelong passion for learning and holds a Master of Business Administration as well as a Master of Human Resource Management with a concentration in Information Systems. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and Information Technology degree from DeVry University. Karen's professional expertise is further supported by certifications as a Diversity Practitioner, Mediator and practitioner of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Braden Albert is the Founder and President of the HR Star Conference and its parent company, Abbington Court Media. A graduate of Yale University Braden began organizing job fairs and trade shows in the mid-1990's. Intrigued by the idea of bringing people together for a shared, learning experience - and impressed by the impact such an experience can provide - Braden organized his first HR Star Conference in 1999. Today the scope of the HR Star Conference includes annual events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Cleveland, Ohio where he is based. Over 1,725 HR professionals attended an HR Star Conference in 2025.