Events

2024 - August 14 - "Plan Your 2025 Training and Development Strategy" - Panel

Join us for the next AASHRM Chapter Event

Akron Area SHRM is inviting you to "Plan your 2025 Training and Development Strategy with a panel of Experts," with speaker panel: Rachel Crane, Brandon Waithe, Akilah Thomas, and Jessica Schemrich, CPTD.

Location: House of 330 / 532 W Market Street Akron OH 44303

Agenda:
7:30am - Registration Opens
8:00am - Networking & Breakfast
8:20am - Announcements
8:30am - Presentations Begin

Price: $30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $15 Students, $15 Members-in-transition

Session Description: Join us for an insightful panel discussion on Learning & Development, where industry experts will delve into critical topics shaping the future of professional growth. Our session will cover essential areas including needs analysis, types of training, and best practices. Whether you're looking to enhance your organization's training programs or seeking innovative strategies to foster continuous learning, this discussion will provide valuable insights and actionable takeaways. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and elevate your approach to Learning & Development.

Speaker Bio:
Rachel Crane, M.Ed. Rachel began her career in the fields of education and behavioral health. What was intended to be a pit stop while pursuing graduate school turned into a successful, 18-year career, with 13 years serving as a high school teacher and 5 years as professional development facilitator/coach. In addition to her years as a public school educator, Rachel owned a side business providing behavior therapy to children with autism.

Upon moving to Ohio, Rachel decided to pivot into Learning & Development. As the owner of Thrive by Design Consulting, LLC, Rachel provides instructional design, performance analysis and improvement, and coaching services to businesses and individuals. Combining her background in education, training, coaching, and behavior analysis, Rachel’s mission is to help individuals and businesses THRIVE through improved performance and development.

Akila Thomas has 8 years of Human Resources experience and 3 years of experience in Learning and Development. Currently, she is the Training and Occupational Development Specialist for Kyocera SGS Precision Tools, and has been implementing professional development programs since 2015. Before her current role in manufacturing, Akilah has worked in human resources and recruitment for the transportation and education industries throughout the Cleveland and Akron, OH area. Her experience in development includes programming for full-cycle talent acquisition and retention, DEI, and performance improvement. Outside of work she also creates and delivers workshops for college students seeking personal and professional skills development.

Akilah has a passion for continuous improvement, development, and advancement and believes that her mission in every space is to assist those around her in reaching individual and organizational goals through effective learning and people-focused strategy.

Jessica Schemrich is an accomplished Organizational Development Leader with extensive experience in driving organizational effectiveness through strategic training programs. She excels in creating competency-based performance models, leading succession planning, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. Her expertise includes coaching for performance, developing effective learning programs, and designing content using proven instructional design and adult learning practices.

Jessica particularly enjoys facilitating leadership development programs and coordinating community learning projects. She is a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and currently serves as President of the Cuyahoga Valley Association for Talent Development.

Brandon Waithe has over 15 years of experience in L&D (both military and civilian) and is the current DEI Chair for Akron SHRM. Brandon has a passion for DEI initiatives and was recently accepted into Leadership Akron’s “Diversity on Board” Class 8. Currently, Brandon works at KeyBank, leading financial training initiatives.

Thank you to our sponsor:

2024 - September 11 - Monthly Meeting

Join us for the next AASHRM Chapter Event


Agenda:
7:30am - Registration Opens
8:00am - Networking & Breakfast
8:20am - Announcements
8:30am - Presentations Begin

Price:
$30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $15 Students, $15 Members-in-transition

2024 -October 9- State of the Benefits Market

Join us for the next AASHRM Chapter Event

Akron Area SHRM is inviting you to: "State of the Benefits Market" - presented by Joe Roberts

Location: TBD

Agenda:
7:30am - Registration Opens
8:00am - Networking & Breakfast
8:20am - Announcements
8:30am - Presentations Begin

Price:
$30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $15 Students, $15 Members-in-transition

Session Description: TBD

Speaker Bio: TBD

Thank you to our Sponsor:

2024 - November 13 - Career Navigation for You and Others

Join us for the next AASHRM Chapter Event

Akron Area SHRM is inviting you to: "Career Navigation for You and Others," presented by George Sample

Location: House of 330 / 532 W Market Street Akron OH 44303

Agenda:
7:30am - Registration Opens
8:00am - Networking & Breakfast
8:20am - Announcements
8:30am - Presentations Begin

Price:
$30 Members, $40 Non-Members, $15 Students, $15 Members-in-transition

Session Description: In this session, we will help you create a framework to consistently evaluate what you want out of your career, then discuss strategies and tactics for navigating through your career. Once you have mastered being the boss of your own career, we will discuss how you empower those around you to be the boss of their careers. This session will dive into succession planning, workforce planning, organization design, and performance management because the HR professional that truly understands these disciplines can accelerate the career growth of themselves and the people around them.

Speaker Bio:George Sample is a Cleveland native who graduated from John Hay High School. George proceeded to John Carroll University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He later returned to John Carroll to earn his MBA.

George is the principal consultant at Blue Streak Consultants. He was previously a Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland where he led three different teams during his tenure (Strategy, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources Business Partners). Prior to joining the Bank, George served as the Director of Human Resources for the Cuyahoga County Public Library. George served in Human Resources Manager roles at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and The Lubrizol Corporation.

George serves on the Board of Directors for John Carroll University, United Way of Greater Cleveland, and the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation. He is Past President of Cleveland Society of Human Resource Management. He is also the Cleveland Crain's Excellence in HR Awards 2021 Winner: Overall Excellence.

George resides in Strongsville with his wife Tanya, and his daughters Jordan and AJ. George coaches travel soccer and plays basketball.

Thank you to our sponsor: