Avish Parashar 

2024 Keynote Speaker

Avish grew up in "exotic" Poughkeepsie, NY and now makes his home in Philadelphia, PA. Though he performed all through high-school, he decided to stop performing when he went to college to “focus on his studies” (his parents were very proud of this decision).

That resolve lasted only a few months, as the first time he saw an improv comedy show he fell in love (his parents were slightly less proud). One week later he auditioned for the campus improv group, got in, and the rest is history. After graduating, he started Polywumpus Improv Comedy, which performed regularly in and around Philadelphia for seven years. Avish closed up Polywumpus to focus on the speaking and training side of the business – using improv comedy as a tool to teach valuable business skills such as creativity, innovation, and adaptability.

Weaving together humorous stories, jokes, audience interaction, and improv comedy games, Avish keeps the audience engaged while imparting a key lesson: Planning is Important, but Improvising is Essential! No matter how well you plan, things will go wrong, surprises will arise, and the Universe will throw you a curveball. Your success and sanity are directly related to how you respond these challenges. By the end of one of Avish's presentations you will have key tools to flow with all that life throws at you. Avish has spoken to the very creative (actors and directors), the very un-creative (accountants), the very casual (college students), and the very business-like (sales professionals). The end result is always the same - smiles, laughs, and a new way of looking at life and business.

Avish is the author of "Improvise to Success!" and the Amazon best-selling, "Say 'Yes, And!'" (And yes, his parents are once again very proud.)

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Michael S. Cohen

Duane Morris LLP

General Session

Michael S. Cohen concentrates his practice in the areas of employment law training and counseling. Mr. Cohen has trained and counseled employers throughout the country on subjects including harassment prevention; workplace diversity; discipline and discharge; hiring and recruiting practices; performance evaluations; FMLA, ADA and FLSA compliance; leave of absence policies; performance management; workplace privacy; sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace; substance abuse testing; workplace violence; records retention; conducting background checks; teens in the workplace and managing attendance problems. He has conducted trainings for executives, directors, managers, supervisors and employees in many industries, including financial services, healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, retail, real estate development, law firms and human services. Mr. Cohen also has conducted trainings for executives, deans and faculty in several institutions of higher education and secondary education. He has conducted more than 250 trainings in the last year. Mr. Cohen has conducted investigations into claims of harassment and discrimination and has drafted employee handbooks, employment agreements, noncompete agreements and post-termination agreements. He has represented clients throughout the country in EEO and other administrative proceedings.

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Holly Kosek

Lutron

General Session

A proven business leader with a passion for leading and developing people, Holly Kosek is the Head of Talent Acquisition at Lutron Electronics, Inc., the global leader in lighting and shading control solutions.  Holly is responsible for achieving companywide hiring goals and bringing in exceptional, diverse talent to her thriving organization. Holly feels fortunate to be part of a company where Human Resources is truly a partner of the business, and taking care of the people is considered key to taking care of the company.  Previously, Holly was in outside sales where she broke sales records, started new customer channels, and drove the adoption of innovative, new solutions.  Holly earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.  Her proudest promotion to date was to Mom, and she is loving every moment of watching her son learn and grow.

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Dr. Linda Eagle

Global Bankers Institute

General Session

Dr. Linda Eagle is Founder & President of Global Bankers Institute. Linda’s understanding of the business requirements of the banking industry and her expertise in human and organizational communication have enabled her to address the most important elements in solving today’s business challenges: people, technology and bottom-line results. Linda has personally worked with hundreds of banks from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to California – from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia - and from Singapore and Korea to China – to implement solutions through projects focusing on education & training, diversity equity & inclusion, growth & development, effective communication, and enrichment of employees. Linda is a business coach to numerous bank executives, and she developed and facilitates the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s Leadership Institute.

Linda is an expert in Communication and has a triple Ph.D. from Temple University and University of Pennsylvania in Communication, Psychology and Business. She was Professor of Organizational Psychology at City University of New York and is a frequent guest lecturer at Columbia University, NYU and Temple University.

Linda has been a frequent keynote speaker on topics of Diversity & Inclusion, Productivity, Organizational Culture, Communication, Project Management, Consumer Behavior, Policies and Procedures, Compliance Standards, Public Speaking, Sales Strategies, Business Skills, Personal Growth, Mentorship, and more. She has been a keynote speaker, presenter and panel member at conferences around the world including The Annual AML Seminar in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted by the Central Bank, The Annual ATMIA Conference, and Asia’s Retail Banking Technology conference. She served on a panel on Legal and Business ethics for the American Bar Association with members of the Federal Reserve System. She also co-led the Sarbanes Oxley Panel at Drexel School of Business and served on the Board of Ethics in Business of the Temple University School of Law. Linda has participated in numerous advisory panels and served on educational boards for industry associations including Compliance Alert, ACAMS, PA Bankers DEI Committee and others.

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Jonathan A. Segal

Duane Morris LLP

General Session

Jonathan A. Segal is a partner at Duane Morris LLP in the Employment, Labor, Benefits and Immigration Practice Group. He is also the managing principal of the Duane Morris Institute. The Duane Morris Institute provides training for human resource professionals, in-house counsel, benefits administrators and managers at Duane Morris, at client sites and by way of webinar on myriad employment, labor, benefits and immigration matters. Previously a litigator, Jonathan’s practice now focuses almost entirely on helping employers meet their business objectives or missions by minimizing legal risk, maximizing compliance and focusing on relationship with business objectives or mission and legal requirements or restrictions.

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Meloney Sallie-Donsume

Muhlenberg College

General Session

Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu is the CEO of Precision Talent International, a sought-after HR Consulting Company that helps top tier businesses and organizations deliver results through people. With over 25 years of experience as a Human Resources leader, Meloney designs and develops customized talent development solutions that fully immerse participants into the content and drive skill building and execution. Her development packages include face to face programs, virtual sessions and hybrid experiences. Meloney is a moderator for Harvard Business Publishing and the Coordinator of the Human Resources Leadership Program for Muhlenberg College. Meloney is the 2022 recipient of the African American Business Leaders’ Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Leaders Award, the 2023 Juneteenth Business Excellence Award and the 2009 Women Take the Lead Award.

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Brendan Speers

Legacy Planning

Breakout Speaker

Brendan is a Partner and Director of Retirement Plan Services at Legacy Planning. He specializes in helping businesses, non-profits and governmental entities manage all aspects of their employer sponsored retirement plans. Brendan also manages the plan administration, conversion and participant education teams that support their plan sponsors. Brendan graduated from Duquesne University with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He holds an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Duquesne University’s School of Leadership.  He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA™), Certified 401(k) Professional (C(k)P®) and a Non-Qualified Plan Consultant (NQPC™). Before joining Legacy Planning in 2014, Brendan worked with universities, school districts and hospitals in the large market for retirement plans. Legacy Planning’s Retirement Plan Services division was founded on the thought that all retirement plans, regardless of size, should utilize a large market approach to due diligence, oversight, and pricing to help employers and participants achieve better outcomes.

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Elizabeth M. Kelly

KingSpry 

Breakout Speaker

Elizabeth M. Kelly is senior counsel with the employment, education and municipal law departments of the KingSpry law firm. Her practice includes handling matters involving labor-management relations, litigation of employment and civil rights matters involving discrimination and harassment, advising clients in matters involving the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation laws, and assisting employers with workplace trainings. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.S. in Business Management from the University of Scranton. She is a member of the Labor and Employment Section of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems and an active member of SHRM.

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Tricia Richardson

Kapla Consulting

Breakout Speaker

With over 25 years of experience in all aspects of workforce management (payroll processing, taxation, employee handbooks, human resources, benefits, etc.), Tricia can provide her clients with direct payroll assistance, information, education, consultation, and even empathy, in her role as a consultant. Tricia has a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of Maryland University College.  She is a Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) through PayrollOrg (formerly known as the American Payroll Association), a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute, as well as a Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). For PayrollOrg, Tricia is a Member of the National Speakers Bureau and a Contributing Writer to PAYTECH Magazine, a regular periodical provided to over 30,000 Members. For the Susquehanna Valley Chapter of PayrollOrg, Tricia has taught for both the Payroll and Human Resource Certification Study Groups and has served as both the Vice President and President of the Chapter. She also serves as the Treasurer of a York County Pennsylvania non-profit organization.

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Kyle McLemore

BSI Corporate Benefits

Breakout Speaker

Kyle McLemore serves as Vice President of Operations at BSI Corporate Benefits (BSI). He brings over a decade of employee benefits consulting expertise. Kyle is responsible for the management of BSI’s internal processes and operations to ensure BSI is maintaining optimal efficiencies in each division. Kyle also serves as a member of BSI’s executive team in effectively managing the scaling of the firm with BSI’s continued growth. Prior to joining BSI, Kyle served as the VP of Sales and Operations at a mid-size consulting agency and delivered impressive results by identifying areas of wasteful spending and improving efficiencies in operational capabilities. This allowed the agency to shift its focus into key market segments and deliver more robust solutions. Kyle also brings to BSI corporate experience from serving as an account executive at ADP where he delivered insurance, payroll and benefits administration services to small and mid-size clients. In 2020, Kyle was recognized as a Forty Under 40 recipient, an award given to future leaders of the Lehigh Valley. Individuals receive this recognition for are not only achieving success in their careers, but giving back in meaningful ways to the Lehigh Valley community. Kyle is active within the community serving as a men’s group leader at his local parish as well as serving as Secretary on the Allentown Diocese Commission for Men. He coaches his son’s soccer team and participates as a Cub Scout leader for his local Scout Pack. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and received his degree economics. Kyle holds his Life, Accident, and Health Licenses and is licensed with over 50 carriers nationwide.

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William Brown, Lindsay Watson and Emilie Carlino

FIA NOW Employment Solutions

Breakout Session

William Brown

W.D. Brown is an accomplished CEO, serial entrepreneur, public speaker, and community leader with a rich history of founding and financing companies spanning over 25 years. He shares his insights as the author of “Harvest Time: What’s That All About?” and extends his mentorship to award-winning Fortune 500 company executives, entrepreneurs, startups, and performing artists. As the CEO/Co-Founder and Chief Diversity Officer of FIA NOW Employment Solutions, a distinguished professional services staffing agency established in 2012 and headquartered in Lehigh Valley, PA, He demonstrates his commitment to diversity and excellence. He holds a seat on the Board of Governors for the GLVCC and has been recognized as one of the "Influential Men of 2022" by Lehigh Valley Style Magazine.

In addition to his corporate roles, Mr. Brown has contributed to social causes, serving on the DEI Committee for United Way of Greater Lehigh Valley and volunteering as a Disaster Services Volunteer with the American Red Cross. As a DEI Practitioner, he shares his expertise on combating workplace inequities through various speaking engagements and media appearances, including PBS, WFMZ, and LV Business. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Brown is the visionary behind 11Thirty Entertainment, LLC., a powerhouse in managing recording artists, Tony Award-winning show artists, Emmy-nominated TV personalities, and actors. He is also a Co-Founder of Livv Younique, LLC., a full-service beauty salon with a focus on healthy hair growth and customer satisfaction. Since venturing into real estate in 2007, Brown has expanded his portfolio from residential properties in Lehigh Valley to commercial investments in New York City, with ongoing deals in Allentown, PA. As the Chairman and CEO of Joshua and Caleb Ministries, Inc., he continues to dedicate his time and resources to serving the community through this non-profit organization with a legacy of over 20 years. Mr. Brown's entrepreneurial spirit finds expression in "Vision Buildaz," a coaching and mentoring platform designed to empower individuals to realize their dreams and fulfill their destinies. His book, “Harvest Time: What’s That All About?” encapsulates the principles gleaned from his journey from failure to success, inspiring readers to pursue their aspirations with resilience and purpose. With a Magna Cum Laude Associate degree in Business Administration from Monroe College, he remains steadfast in his commitment to inspiring and creating opportunities for others, rooted in his upbringing in the vibrant streets of New York City

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Lindsay Watson

Lindsay Watson is an award-winning entrepreneur and a seasoned professional in human resources and business development, and public speaking. She brings over 19 years of expertise in staffing, recruiting, relationship management, and career coaching. Committed to guiding individuals across all career levels towards their professional aspirations, Lindsay hails from New England and now calls Lehigh Valley, PA home. From a customer service rep right after college, to having ownership in two companies, Lindsay’s roots in administrative support, connecting others and cultivating diverse relationships still run deep. If you ask Lindsay about her overall purpose, it would be this: “Connecting people to people, and people to opportunities”.

Currently, Lindsay is Co-Founder of award-winning FIA NOW Employment Solutions, and Founder of Joy Fluent, a virtual assistant and support business. She has been involved in ventures that positively impact individuals and communities, fostering multi-million dollar relationships from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, spanning Wall Street to Main Street.

As a Public Speaker, Lindsay has spoken at events including at the Lehigh Valley Annual Women’s Summit, Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit, Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce DEI Summit, SHRM HR Disruptor Summit, The Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Summit and more. Lindsay holds board positions at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, American Heart Association, Miller Keystone Blood Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Women United (a division of the United Way), marking her as the first African American woman to serve on the latter three organizations. Lindsay has received honors as the 2023 Women of Influence and the 2020 Forty Under 40 award both by the Lehigh Valley Business Journal. She holds a Bachelor's in Communications from St. John's University and Certificates in Women's Entrepreneurship & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion from Cornell University, the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Milestone Accelerator and NCBI (National Coalition Building Institute).

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Emilie Bree Carlino, BHS, MHEd.

Emilie Bree Carlino (she, her) is a workforce development specialist and career coach with over 15 years’ combined experience in corporate, non-profit and higher education settings. She is the President and owner of her own consulting firm in the Lehigh Valley specializing in supporting internal mobility, managing career transition efforts, and connecting high-potential talent to new opportunities. As an experienced coach and mentor, she also works with individuals and organizations to support performance management, leadership development, retention and team building needs. She holds undergraduate degrees in education and science along with a graduate degree in health education with a concentration in community interventions. In addition to her formal education, she also holds multiple certificates for continued learning in the areas of leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence. In addition to her professional experience, Emilie is deeply engaged in serving our Lehigh Valley community and is an advocate for supporting local non-profits as well as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion education and awareness. Emilie has spoken at prominent events such as Lehigh Valley Professionals, Career Link, Friends of Pete, LINC, and YWCA. She co-founded a Women’s Empowerment networking group called SHINE and has been featured on WFMZ, Apple TV, The Wisdom Coalition and the Career Exchange Podcast, showcasing her expertise in emotional intelligence, career strategies, and mental health matters. Recently she partnered with FIA NOW Employment Solutions to co-find a new career transition services program dedicated to transforming the way companies handle downsizing into a supportive transition and to helping individuals regain their footing with dignity and confidence. Her mission-driven approach is dedicated to promoting a culture of ongoing growth and development with a value driven and human approach.

 

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Krys Conway and Alesia Coulter

Equinox Benefits Consulting

Breakout Speaker

Krys Conway, M.Ed, SHRM-CP

Krys Conway is the VP of Human Resources at Equinox Benefits who has been with the company over 4 years.  In her role at Equinox she is responsible for ensuring that the people who help your employees enroll in their benefits choose and use benefits themselves!  Krys SHRM certified and holds a Board position with the Lehigh Valley SHRM chapter as the College Relations chair.

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Alesia Coulter

Alesia Coulter is a Director of Strategic Accounts at Equinox Benefits Consulting and has been with the company for over two and a half years. She has over 10 years' experience in the employee benefits profession and has conducted hundreds of open enrollment meetings throughout her career each catered to the individual client group and their company

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