The MBA‘s 14th Annual HR Conference brought HR professionals together on Wednesday, November 4, at the Bayfront Convention Center for a full day of learning, networking and fresh perspectives on today’s workplace challenges.
With the theme A Day Designed for HR Professionals, By HR Professionals, the conference featured a lineup of speakers covering some of the most important issues facing today’s employers, from employment law and workplace culture to onboarding and leadership.
A Day of Insights from Industry Professionals
Best-selling author and Hall of Fame speaker Steve Gilliland kicked off the conference with his keynote presentation, It Is What You Make It, setting the tone for a day focused on perspective, personal growth and professional development.
Throughout the day, attendees heard from a variety of industry professionals, including:
- Marcia DePaula and Nelva J. Smith of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC explored Navigating the EEOC Shift: What Employers Need to Know Now, offering insights into the changing employment landscape.
- Brandon Wiley of OpenedEyes presented Inclusive Leadership: Building Sustainable, High-Performing Workplace Cultures, highlighting the role of leadership in building stronger workplace cultures.
- Robert (Bob) Zaruta and Julia Herzing of Knox Law returned to the legal side of HR with Navigating the 2026 Employment Landscape: Recent Case Law, Litigation Shifts, and Emerging Workplace Trends.
- Casie Lucas-Szumigala of Click Pragmatics tackled a challenge many employers know all too well with “We Told Them… Didn’t We?” Why Onboarding Fails Even When You Think You’ve Covered Everything.
The day wrapped up with Steve Gilliland’s afternoon presentation, Hide Your Goat, bringing attendees together for another engaging session before closing remarks and exhibitor prize drawings.
Celebrating Our 2026 HR Person of the Year
One of the day’s special highlights was recognizing Marie Kuhn of the Community Blood Bank as the 2026 HR Person of the Year.
This recognition celebrates the important contributions HR professionals make to their organizations and the people they support. Congratulations to Marie on this well-deserved honor!
Congratulations to Our Conference Prize Winners!
The conference also included some exciting giveaways, and we’re happy to congratulate this year’s winners:
Grand Prize: Apple AirPods Max 2 and a $50 Apple Gift Card
- Rhonda Bienio, Pleasant Ridge Manor
Complimentary HRCI Certification Exams
- Gretchen Daniels, Process and Data Management
- Kane Patron, Erie Children’s Museum
Congratulations to all of our winners!
Thank You for Being Part of the Day
From timely employment law updates and leadership insights to practical conversations about building stronger workplaces, the 2026 HR Conference offered something valuable for every HR professional in attendance.
Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for making our 14th Annual HR Conference a success. We’re proud to bring professionals together for opportunities to learn, connect and find new ways to move their businesses forward.