Cleveland HR Star Conference August 6, 2025 Featured Presenters Dr. Earl Suttle is the CEO & Founder of Leadership Success International, LLC, an international consulting and training company based in Atlanta, GA that works with businesses and organizations to increase their profits and productivity through developing their people. As a business consultant and dynamic professional keynote speaker, Dr. Suttle delivers numerous presentations throughout the United States each year. He is a best-selling author of five books with Dr. John Hubbard, including: Earl’s Pearls on Enjoying Excellence and his latest Stressed to Blessed. He has also produced a number of recorded programs on leadership and professional development. “Empowerment through education and enthusiasm,” is the mission statement of his company. Dr. Suttle has conducted keynote addresses and seminars for corporations like Aflac Insurance, AT&T, Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, American Express, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the United States Postal Service, Kraft Foods, Toyota, The Hartford Insurance Group, Wells Fargo, the Georgia Department of Labor, Anheuser-Busch Companies, the University of Georgia and the University of Florida just to name a few. In addition, Dr. Suttle is a consultant to the National Basketball Association and the National Football League where he works directly with the players and athletes. Dr. Suttle has been featured in Ebony Magazine, In-Style Magazine as well as on CNN. Jennifer Corso, Esq. is a Partner at Petronzio Schneier Co. LPA and has represented organizations in labor and employment law for almost 30 years. Jennifer offers employers a proactive approach to employment matters, innovative solutions and top-rate advocacy in defending employee claims. She is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a Specialist in Labor and Employment Law and represents employers in federal, state and appellate courts. Jennifer also performs workplace investigations, employment practices audits, supervisory training and employment counseling. In addition she represents clients participating in mediation, arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution procedures involving employment matters. She has written several articles and has spoken at numerous events on employment law topics. Jennifer has been named both a “Super Lawyer” (2015-2023) and a “Rising Star Super Lawyer” (2005) by Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine, which identifies outstanding Ohio lawyers who have demonstrated superior professional potential. Jennifer is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and earned her J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Seth P. Briskin, Esq. is Managing Partner of Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis where he is Chair of the Labor & Employment group as well as Chair of the Affirmative Action & OFCCP Compliance group. Mr. Briskin provides labor and employment counsel to private, public sector and non-profit organizations. He represents employers and executives in employment litigation, wage and hour matters, non-competition and trade secret litigation, workers’ compensation claims/appeals, union organizing drives, collective bargaining, labor arbitrations and all manner of disputes involving the NLRB, OSHA, EEOC, OCRC, BWC and the Department of Labor. In addition, he prepares employment and consulting contracts, confidentiality and non-competition agreements and advises clients on severance packages and separation agreements. Before joining the firm Mr. Briskin practiced at boutique and general practice law firms where he developed his experience in all areas of labor and employment law. He also interned for the National Labor Relations Board. Honored as an "Ohio Super Lawyer” from 2015-2025, Seth frequently speaks on labor and employment law issues. He serves as an Officer on the Executive Boards of the Cleveland Leadership Center, American Jewish Committee, Beachwood Chamber of Commerce and the Cleveland Jewish News. Mr. Briskin earned his B.S. from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations and his J.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Law. Amy B. Shannon is both the President of Pinnacle Leadership Solutions as well as a Partner in Your Partner in HR. She has specialized in organizational development, human resources and training for over 25 years. Amy’s past roles include 15 years as Director of Human Resources with Western-Southern Enterprise and Kendle International. In both organizations, Amy built nationally recognized corporate universities. Kendle College served 1300 employees in 8 countries taught in 3 languages. She has also served as Executive Director of Corporate College where she built leadership training curriculum for her clients. Amy currently works in roles ranging from executive coach to strategic planning expert to facilitator to trainer. She holds certifications from several national training vendors and is also a certified mediator. In addition, Amy was a featured speaker at The Corporate University Week at Disney Institute and has been a regular presenter at the HR Star Conference for the past 18 years including in Atlanta - and next year in Los Angeles. Scott Warrick, JD, MLHR, CEQC is the President of Scott Warrick HR Consulting & Employment Law Services. He is a practicing employment law attorney, an HR consultant and a best-selling author with over 40 years of hands-on experience. Scott uses his unique background to help organizations get where they want to go, including coaching and training managers and employees on over 50 topics in his own practical and entertaining style. He combines the areas of law and human resources to help organizations anticipate and solve people problems before they happen. Scott’s goal is to prevent lawsuits while improving employee morale. His best-selling books include, Solve Employee Problems Before They Start and Living The Five Skills of Tolerance. Scott's most recent book, Healing The Human Brain, is an international best seller in 14 categories with sales in over a dozen countries worldwide. Susan Pyles, MA is the Vice President, Professional Development at ERC where she oversees delivery of all client service solutions. An award-winning human resource leader, Susan brings more than 20 years of achievements in talent management and assessment, performance management, employee experience, HR analytics, leadership development, coaching and workforce planning. Susan has leadership experience in many industries, including manufacturing, retail, financial services, health care and academia. Previously as Director, Global Talent Management & HR Business Partner at MTD Products, Susan was responsible for talent acquisition, planning and development, HR analytics and employee engagement. Susan led a variety of global initiatives at MTD, including talent review, succession planning, leadership competency, 360 assessment, performance management as well as the launch of an online learning solution. Prior to MTD Susan was Manager, Talent Development at Invacare. Before that she was Practice Leader & Senior Consultant at ERC, where she led a variety of initiatives, including performance management, career development, executive coaching, leadership development, talent assessments and strategic planning projects. Before originally joining ERC Susan spent a decade in the learning and performance department of Ohio Savings/AmTrust Bank, ultimately leading the department as Vice President. Under her leadership, Ohio Savings was a multi-year recipient of ERC’s NorthCoast 99 Award and Training Magazine’s Top 100 Award. Susan carries nearly a dozen certifications, holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from Ohio University and holds a Master of Arts degree from Kent State University. Dave Thompson, M.S., CFI® is Partner and President of Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ) as well as an instructor for the organization. Dave is an internationally recognized expert in investigative interviewing, effective communication and behavioral strategy. With a background that bridges psychology, law enforcement and high-stakes business environments, he brings a rare blend of insight, grounded practicality and presence to every stage. Whether working with HR professionals, financial crime investigators or Fortune 500 executive leaders, Dave shows audiences how to ask better questions, decode hidden meanings and navigate high-pressure conversations with precision and confidence. His presentations are known for being evidence-based, story-driven and immediately actionable. Dave has trained and advised thousands of professionals in his career. He has also interviewed a wide range of remarkable individuals on his “Truth Be Told” podcast, which explores the art and science of communication through the lens of memory, influence and human behavior. In addition, Dave has served as an expert witness in several high-profile cases and has been retained as a subject matter expert on interview and interrogation techniques. He has provided expert testimony in legislative hearings and has been cited by the Federal Court of Appeals. Dave attended Canisius College in Buffalo, New York and continued his education at Arizona State University, earning a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology. Dave’s message is simple: "Communication isn’t just what we say - it’s also what we signal, what we notice and how we ask questions." Sonya Weiland, PHR, SHRM-CP is the Founder of Your Partner in HR based in Northeast Ohio. Focused on building positive relationships as a strategic partner with clients, Sonya has partnered with senior executives developing talent management and HR solutions with clear links to business results. Her expertise includes creating, designing and implementing training, coaching and HR systems for clients such as Sandridge Foods, PIRHL Contractors, Taleris Credit Union and Ralston Instruments. Sonya is certified as a Professional in Human Resources through HRCI and is an active member of both SHRM and The Cleveland Coach Federation and has contributed to articles in The Cleveland Plain Dealer and various business publications. Sonya is recognized as an enthusiastic and interactive speaker and trainer supporting various companies, non-profit organizations and associations. A strong advocate for community involvement, Sonya serves on an advisory board and supports multiple non-profit organizations. Sonya is a graduate of John Carroll University. Cathi Canfield is the Vice President of Talent Development and Social Responsibility at Employbridge where she focuses on the upskilling of hourly workers and making a positive impact in communities served by the company. Cathi has been deeply invested in the development of Employbridge’s thought leadership and insights, including the Voice of the American Workforce survey, Employbridge’s Better WorkLife Academy and the Life Skills Studio. These efforts seek to improve associates’ work lives through empathy, understanding, education and stability, which leads to higher engagement and longevity with customers. Before joining Employbridge, Cathi worked with regional economic development groups and utility companies attracting and growing new business. Cathi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Government from Smith College. Tom Wirbel, MBA is Vice President of Alera Group. Originally joining CPI-HR as a Benefits Consultant, through innovative and successful strategies Tom has achieved notable results in aiding client-companies manage the escalating costs of health insurance. Motivated by client feedback that continues to point to health insurance as the number one HR concern, Tom focuses his expertise on developing and designing employee benefit plans. Throughout his career, Tom has also acted as an HR consultant to small and medium-sized businesses in Northeastern Ohio. A native of Cleveland, Tom graduated from John Carroll University with a BSBA and earned an MBA from Cleveland State University. Christina M. Royer, Esq., M.A. is a Partner with Employment Law Partners. She has practiced exclusively in the area of employment law representing individuals since 2004. Chris brings a breadth of experience in the area, in particular, her knowledge and skill regarding Ohio unemployment compensation law. Chris was selected as a "Rising Star" from 2009 to 2011 by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, and she has also been selected as a "Super Lawyer" in the area of Employment Law by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine since 2012. Chris's practice includes representing individuals in cases involving employment discrimination and retaliation, unemployment compensation claims, non-compete agreements and severance negotiations. Chris is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association and the Ohio Employment Lawyers Association, where she has served on the Board and the Amicus Committee since 2007. She also served as Chair of the Cleveland Employment Lawyers Association from 2011 to 2015. Ms. Royer is also a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, serving as the 2014-2015 Chair of the Court Rules Committee. In addition to her law practice, Chris serves individuals in the workplace as an Executive Coach. She completed the coach certification program at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in May 2013 and also holds an Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation. Chris's coaching practice focuses primarily on working with employees whose behaviors present challenges to the organization, assisting them to enhance their performance and become effective contributors in the workplace. She also coaches individuals who are seeking to attain greater career satisfaction and work/life balance, as well as assisting them to build or hone leadership skills. Chris was recently appointed as adjunct faculty at Cleveland State University teaching Human Resources topics to graduate level students in the Diversity Management Program. Chris is a frequent speaker on topics relating to employment issues. Chris earned her M.A. from Kent State University and her J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law, Summa Cum Laude. Wendy Eldridge, MBA is a Retirement Plan Advisor with Carnegie Investment Counsel. She brings over 25 years of experience helping companies nationwide with their retirement plan benefits. Wendy is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and served on the 2025 NAPA 401(k) Summit steering committee. She is also a member of the Women in Pension Network (WIPN). Wendy holds a BSBA from Bowling Green State University and an MBA from Kent State University. Wendy is an active volunteer for Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where she has served as the President of the Loyola Society. She also sits on the board of the West 30th St. Huddle. Wendy believes that every person deserves the opportunity to be on the path to a successful retirement. Sindy Warren, Esq. is the Founder of Blue Tree Coaching. A Stanford Law School graduate and former employment lawyer, she brings nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of law, workplace culture and personal development. After beginning her legal career at large law firms and specializing in employment matters, Sindy launched a successful HR consulting practice focused on organizational well-being and culture-building. Her work eventually expanded to include professional coaching, where she helps high-achieving individuals navigate professional and personal transitions with clarity, confidence and purpose. Sindy is also a certified yoga and mindfulness educator as well as the author of Radi8: Using the Practice of Yoga to Cultivate Your Inner Shine, which explores how ancient wisdom can support modern well-being. Drawing from disciplines as diverse as law, coaching, neuroscience and philosophy, Sindy offers a unique and integrative approach to leadership, growth and meaningful change. DeAnna R. Hanzel, M.A., SPHR, CBA, PMP, LSSBB is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Talent Ecosystem Innovations, LLC. DeAnna is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience in learning, talent, organizational efficiency and change management. She has worked for Fortune 500 companies, including KeyBank from 2012-2016 and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from 2016-2024. Her success in designing and delivering people-centric solutions inspired her to launch her own firm, Talent Ecosystem Innovations, LLC., in 2025. DeAnna received her degrees from Hiram College where she studied industrial and organizational psychology as well as business communication. She has earned certifications in human resources, business architecture, project management, lean six sigma,coaching and facilitation. DeAnna is in the process of writing a book focused on organizational efficiency and culture. Jim Smith, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, PCC is an executive and life coach, international speaker, author and change strategist. Jim’s passion is to create a happier world and workplace one leader at a time. Jim spent 20+ years as a corporate executive in human resources, sales, marketing, finance and operations. He has coached leaders from 27 countries and 6 continents to achieve greater leadership effectiveness and balance. Jim holds a Professional Certified Coach designation through the International Coach Federation as well as Senior HR certifications from HRCI and SHRM. He is a founder and past president of the ICF Cleveland Chapter and a past two-term president of the Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management, in addition to teaching at Baldwin Wallace University in their MBA - Human Resources program. Jim is the author of several books on happiness, leadership and coaching and has touched the lives of over 20,000 people through his work on happiness and positive emotion at work. Finally, Jim worships dark coffee, dark beer and dark chocolate, and he deeply believes that, "Happiness is a decision, not an event." Tom Ault, MBA is Senior Solutions Consultant and Trainer at ERC. Tom has over 25 years of international experience in leadership effectiveness and operational development in 17 different countries. Previous to joining ERC Tom was Business Improvement Manager and Senior Organization Development Specialist at Diebold, Inc. His wide range of accomplishments include: leading LEAN Six Sigma deployment, implementing large-scale team certification, facilitating global leadership sessions and saving over $90 million for Diebold. In addition Tom's expertise includes training and consulting in performance management, team building, strategic planning, 360-degree assessments, change management and conflict management. Tom earned his Executive MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College and his B.S. in Accounting from West Liberty State College. Also he holds a Motorola Six Sigma Green Belt and has been through the Case Weatherhead Diebold Sales Leadership program. Tom's certifications include Master Trainer, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and The Leadership Circle 360. Joyce Fijalkovich Atherton is the owner of Modern Yoga. She began her career in the corporate world of advertising, starting at an agency outside of Cleveland and later joining Clear Channel Outdoor, where she advanced through the ranks in marketing and sales. Joyce made history as the company’s first product-specific manager nationwide when Cleveland became the inaugural market to launch digital billboards. Over time she expanded her leadership role to oversee the product statewide. Alongside her corporate career Joyce developed a deep passion for yoga. In 2016 she and her husband opened a 1,700-square-foot studio in Strongsville, Ohio, followed by a second location in Brecksville in 2022. Under their leadership Modern Yoga has hosted over 30,000 classes, trained more than 50 yoga instructors, supported a teaching staff of 15–25 and welcomed over 15,000 yoga students - earning a 5-star review rating of 98%. Today Joyce focuses on bridging the gap between corporate strategy, business ownership and mindfulness practices. She passionately believes the most valuable lessons come not from one path, but from seeing challenges from multiple perspectives. Viktoria Lévay is the Wellness Director at Mack Industries and Founder of LÉVAY.co, where she partners with HR leaders to elevate employee well-being, engagement and performance. She designs and delivers high-impact wellness strategies - from 1:1 coaching and team education to content development and community-building initiatives - that drive measurable outcomes and ROI. Blending data, coaching and science-backed tools like HeartMath®, Viktoria’s practical, people-centered approach helps organizations create healthier, more resilient and connected work cultures. Focus areas include employee wellness, stress management, mental health optimization, leadership development, change management and implementation of sustainable lifestyle for high functioning performance and productivity. In addition, Viktoria facilitates leadership trainings and provides coaching for executives on how to design and implement stress management programs for their organizations. Her client list includes: Starbucks, Excelas, 7Signal, Ohio Real Title, NOOK Industries, ArmorCode, C-Vision International, TT Electronics, Corrigan Krause, The Cuyahoga Group, South Franklin Circle, K2 Manufacturing and YPO Cleveland. Also, Viktoria was recently featured on Fox8 Cleveland. Kara Stafford, M.Ed., CPTD® is the Founder & President of Habit Leadership where she helps leaders and teams turn learning into practice to drive motivation, engagement and performance. With 25 years of experience in leadership and talent development, she has partnered with organizations including KeyBank, Progressive Insurance, ERC, YWCA Greater Cleveland, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and CareSource. Kara is a certified trainer with Jon Gordon Companies, delivering programs on mindset, leadership and teamwork. She also holds credentials in MBTI®, DEI, Human Performance Improvement and virtual facilitation. She earned her Master’s in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University and is pursuing a certificate in Psychology of Leadership from Cornell University. Kara has spoken for Ohio ATD chapters and most recently presented at the 2024 Training Magazine Conference. Known for her practical and engaging style, Kara facilitates, consults and coaches to help build stronger workplace cultures one habit at a time. Bridgette Nadzam-Kasubick is the Founder of Bbody Coaching, where she helps people reconnect with their bodies, fuel with intention and move in ways that support a healthy life. A longtime educator with over 25 years of experience, Bridgette brings clarity, compassion, inspiration and a practical approach to her coaching practice. As a Certified Nutrition Coach through NASM, she teaches people how to eat in ways that support their greater goals. She works without rigid rules or all-or-nothing thinking. Instead her coaching focuses on sustainable behavior change, guiding clients toward habits that build strength, energy and confidence gradually over time. She meets people where they are and helps them use food and movement as tools for long-term well-being. Bridgette’s work is rooted in self-awareness, respect for the natural aging process and a genuine desire to see people thrive in the life they are living presently as well as the one they intend to enjoy in the future. Braden Albert is the Founder and President of the HR Star Conference and its parent company, Abbington Court Media. A graduate of Yale University Braden began organizing job fairs and trade shows in the mid-1990's. Intrigued by the idea of bringing people together for a shared, learning experience - and impressed by the impact such an experience can provide - Braden organized his first HR Star Conference in 1999. Today the scope of the HR Star Conference includes annual events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Cleveland, Ohio where he is based. Over 1,800 HR professionals attended an HR Star Conference in 2024.