Mark J. Schmit, Ph.D., is the Executive Director for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation. In this capacity he leads the Foundation’s efforts to advance the strategic direction and impact of the HR profession. Dr. Schmit was previously the Vice President of Research for SHRM. Dr. Schmit has more than 25 years of experience in the field of human resources and has also been an academic, applied researcher, HR generalist, and internal and external consultant to both public and private organizations. Dr. Schmit earned a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Bowling Green State University in 1994. He has published more than 25 professional journal articles and book chapters and delivered more than 75 presentations at professional meetings on HR and Industrial/Organizational Psychology topics. Dr. Schmit is a Fellow in both the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Association. He is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Todd Solomon is a partner in and Chicago local practice group leader of the employee benefits practice group of McDermott Will & Emery LLP in its Chicago office. Todd focuses his practice primarily on designing, amending, and administering pension plans, 401(k) plans, employee stock ownership plans, 403(b) plans, and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. He also counsels corporations and tax-exempt entities regarding fiduciary and plan investment issues under ERISA, employee benefits issues involved in corporate transactions, executive compensation and Code Section 409A compliance and correction matters, and the implementation of benefit programs for domestic partners.
As The Network’s CEO since 2009, Luis Ramos has led the company’s transformation into a leading governance, risk and compliance (GRC) solutions provider. Luis has over twenty years experience in risk management and compliance, and his thought leadership has been featured in publications including National Underwriter, Risk Management, Loss Prevention and Compliance & Ethics Professional. Luis previously held positions as The Network’s COO, Sr. VP of Operations and Technology, and VP of Risk Management Services, and was critical in the development and launch of The Network's proprietary software applications. Prior to joining The Network, Luis held positions at ADP and Crawford & Company.
John A. Rubino, SHRM-SCP, CCP, CBP, GRP, WLCP, is founder and president of Rubino Consulting Services, a global human resources consulting company based in Pound Ridge, New York. His areas of expertise cover all areas of Human Resources program design. An internationally acclaimed speaker for SHRM and WorldatWork, John is the author of numerous human resources articles, and is frequently quoted in professional publications. He holds BA and MBA degrees, as well as a lifetime Achievement Award from WorldatWork. John works with a wide variety of organizations and his consulting practice takes him all around the world; in fact, he has visited one hundred and nine countries!
Whitney Warner, SPHR is a Partner with the labor and employment law firm of Moody & Warner, P.C. Her practice includes representation of both employers and employees. Ms. Warner was named one of the Best of the Bar 2010 by New Mexico Business Weekly. She was awarded the 2009 Professional Excellence Award by SHRM of NM, the state’s top honor in the HR field. Ms. Warner and the firm are recognized by “Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” as leaders in employment law in New Mexico. She has been recognized in "Southwest Super Lawyers," a listing of the top 5% of lawyers based on peer nominations. She has been active volunteer leader in local, state and national SHRM activities.
Matthew Effland is the Vice President – Employment Counsel for KAR Auction Services, Inc. KAR is a provider of vehicle auction services in North America, facilitating the used vehicle marketplace by providing auction services for sellers of used, or whole car, vehicles and salvage vehicles through its auction locations and multiple internet venues. The Company has a network of 65 whole car auction locations and 164 salvage auction locations, as well as offering a variety of online and financing services. In his role, Matt provides guidance and support to KAR’s Human Resources department, drawing on his 14 years of management-side private practice. Matt is licensed in both California and Indiana, and is the author of the recently-published SHRM Book ”The Perils and Pitfalls of California Employment Law: A Guide for HR Professionals.”
Kevin Sweeney is a combat veteran having flown missions in both Viet Nam and Desert Storm. He spent 23 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. Kevin is the only pilot to have landed a plane successfully with the 2 engines ripped off the left wing during a night combat mission in Desert Storm. Recognized for providing, “the finest piece of airmanship to have occurred during the entire Gulf War,” by General Charles Horner, top commander of Allied Air Forces during the Gulf War, Kevin is also the recipient of the United States Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, a medal awarded to fewer than 1% of pilots. Featured in Reader's Digest and on the A&E channel, Kevin is also the author of 2 books, has held executive positions in sales and operations for a Fortune 50 corporation and serves as a university adjunct professor.
An Orlando, Florida native, Elizabeth Dixon graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Exercise Science. After completing an undergraduate internship at Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, Texas, she was hired in 2004 to create a wellness program for the Chick-fil-A Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2004 Chick-fil-A has been recognized annually as the Most Fit Company in Atlanta.
In 2008 she created the Atlanta Challenge with nine major Atlanta companies engaged in a wellness competition. Successful results provided the impetus to launch the U.S. City Challenge, providing the opportunity for major corporations across the U.S. to compete within their own cities.
