Categories: Conference Speakers

Experienced Human Resources leader with a history of impact across industries, geographies and cultures. Strong skills in Executive Assessment and Development, Human Capital Management, Change Management, Executive Communication and broad based HR Partnership.

With over 15 years of progressive HR leadership, Catherine is a strategic leader known for translating complex organizational needs into impactful talent strategies. She has a proven track record of driving organizational success through talent development, change management, and building inclusive, high‑performing cultures. Catherine partners closely with senior executives to align people strategy with business goals, elevate performance, and shape the future of work. She currently serves as Past President of Philly SHRM and is a frequent speaker on the future of work and the evolving landscape of caregiving in today’s workplace.

Stephanie is a strategic HR executive with over 15 years of progressive HR leadership. Proven track record of aligning HR initiatives with business goals, optimizing benefits programs, driving compliance excellence, leading talent strategy, enhancing organizational culture, and delivering measurable business impact across all facets of human resources—even in resource-constrained environments.

Kimberley is a human resource executive offering broad-based organizational development guidance to the C-Suite. She works as a strategic partner to lead organizations through fundamental transformations. Kimberley is a results driven individual who believes in a transparent and collaborative work environment.

Dina Perreault is an accomplished HR Executive, published author, keynote speaker, and the Director for PA SHRM. She specializes in executive coaching, consulting, and corporate leadership training. Known as a “Dragon Slayer,” Dina is decisive and efficient and truly comfortable tackling the big, unruly issues in organizations. She’s passionate about collaborating with leaders to streamline processes and wrangle those giant, scaly monsters enabling them to focus on building, bettering, and becoming the very best versions of themselves. As a 3rd-degree blackbelt in TaeKwonDo and Certified Pilates Instructor, she is absolutely focused on guiding others toward achieving personal and professional success by integrating their minds, bodies, and overall health.

Kristi Straw, MBA, is the Founder of Lighthouse Leadership Consultants™, creator of the Authentic Authority™ Archetype Quiz, and a nationally recognized executive strategist known for turning visibility into capital. Honored among Charlotte’s Top 50 Most Influential Women and awarded the National Leadership in Action Award, Kristi has helped leaders across Fortune 500s, startups, and mission-driven organizations navigate leadership visibility, team performance, and brand-led growth. Her signature frameworks empower HR leaders and executives to build high-trust, high-impact cultures with measurable ROI. A sought-after keynote speaker and advisor, Kristi blends data-driven insight with emotionally intelligent delivery to spark lasting behavior change and strategic traction.

Kaela Blanks (she/they) is an HR-centered JEDI knight, ERG evangelist, and organizational changemaker who takes a pragmatic and sustainable approach to cultivating inclusive workplace cultures. With experience rooted in strategic HR and talent management, they have led justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) practices by developing ERG strategy, optimizing DE&I councils, and aligning inclusion-focused objectives to core organizational goals. Their passion for “meeting people where they are” leverages an approachable coaching style to foster growth and development of ERG leaders, allied business leaders, and inclusive HR practitioners. Kaela holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and has completed coaching and DE&I certification programs. An active community leader, they serve as Board Vice President of the Independence Business Alliance (IBA), Greater Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and was most recently recognized in 2024 with the LGBTQ+ Leadership Award by the National Diversity Council.

With over 15 years of Human Resources leadership, Corey Crapella has built a career on one simple truth: people are the heart of every business. As the Founder of CORE Coaching & Consulting, he partners with leaders, professionals, and organizations to unlock their full potential—whether that’s building stronger teams, elevating leadership, or guiding individuals through their career journey’s.

Corey’s path started in sales, but his passion for developing people led him to HR, where he rose through the ranks to oversee 4,500+ employees across 45 locations. From boardrooms to frontlines, Corey has seen what makes organizations thrive—and what holds them back. His expertise spans employee relations, leadership development, organizational strategy, and culture transformation.

What sets Corey apart? His direct, engaging, and results-driven approach. He challenges leaders to stop hiding behind titles and instead show up as their authentic selves. His coaching philosophy is rooted in real talk, real strategies, and real results—helping people not just find a job, but build a career they truly want.

Corey holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Kutztown University and a Master’s in Human Resources/Leadership Development from Villanova University. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP, SPHR).

Whether coaching, consulting, or speaking, Corey’s mission is clear: to help people lead, grow, and succeed—while keeping humanity at the core!

Organizations eager to outpace the competition turn to Sam, a high-output dynamo who insists on people strategy excellence. With unparalleled energy and determination, she maximizes the efforts of all teams and functions, routinely analyzing data and past trends to influence future operational efficiencies. Sam is passionate about coaching and mentoring professionals at all stages of their careers to unlock their complete potential and confidence. Her background in the management consultant industry and specialty in talent strategy enables her solutionist mindset, seeing no problem as unresolvable. She loves to learn to expand the limits of her knowledge and encourages her clients to be willing to do the same. Samantha holds a B.A. from St. Vincent College.

Melissa Sherry holds an MBA in Organizational Leadership and has always been passionate about creating workplaces where people can truly thrive and perform, with humans at the center of how work gets done.

Her passion for unlocking human potential in the workplace and creating inclusive environments is deeply personal. Watching her mother receive a late-life ADHD diagnosis and finally access the support and tools she needed sparked Melissa’s inspiration to bring that same clarity and accessibility into workplaces. She is committed to helping organizations reduce friction, embrace cognitive diversity, and build environments where every individual can do their best work.

At her core, Melissa is a catalyst: she helps leaders translate empathy into action, design systems that scale human flourishing, and wield technology in ways that respect, not override, the human experience.

This vision led her to co-found ThreadLight, an AI-powered platform designed to help teams stay aligned, focused, and supported while honoring diverse cognitive styles and work preferences. Through ThreadLight, Melissa and her team are redefining how organizations approach alignment and culture, making the invisible visible so people and performance can thrive together.