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Cleveland HR Star Conference
August 6, 2025
Featured Presenters
Dr. Earl L. 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, Preparing for and Managing High-Risk
Situations in the Lives of College Athletes (An Athlete’s Guide), Preparing for and Managing High-Risk Situations in the
Lives of Professional Athletes (A Player’s Guide), Great Life Choices for Teens (Who Want to Make a Difference)
and his latest, Stressed to Blessed. He has also produced a number of CD’s and DVD’s on leadership and professional
personal 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.
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 works in roles
ranging from executive coach to leadership trainer to strategic planning expert to retreat facilitator, helping her clients reach
their potential. For the past 13 years Amy has been an organizational development consultant working with clients in
manufacturing, service, financial and healthcare industries. Most recently Amy served as the Executive Director of
Corporate College where she created a robust leadership training curriculum. Prior to her OD work she spent 10 years as
Director of Human Resources with Western-Southern Enterprise and Kendle International. For both of these organizations,
Amy built competency-based corporate universities that were nationally recognized. Her most prestigious corporate
university initiative, Kendle College, served 1300 employees in 8 countries and was taught in 3 languages. Amy is a regular
speaker at national conferences and was featured at The Corporate University Week at the Disney Institute. She was a
recipient of the 2015 HR Awards presented by ERC & C-SHRM.
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.
Viktoria Levay is an inspiring and engaging WellBeing Leader, Corporate Wellness Coach and Certified Resilience
Trainer. She has helped thousands of employees lead healthier, happier and more productive lives. Her approach uniquely
combines scientifically proven stress and energy management techniques with functional and life coaching practices.
She leads on-site education and coaching sessions for employee wellness, stress and change management, mental health
optimization, leadership development and implementation of sustainable lifestyle changes 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. Besides her corporate well-being initiatives, Viktoria
organizes community workshops as well as wellness events and dinners. Her client list includes: Starbucks, Hylant, 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. Viktoria was recently featured on
Fox8 Cleveland.
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.
Kris Cannon-Jackson, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CDP, CTA is a passionate I.D.E.A. strategist (Inclusion, Diversity,
Equity & Access) with over 20 years of experience in HR and business leadership. She ignites engagement by
fostering inclusive workplaces where employees feel valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As a certified DEIB
practitioner and transformational leader, Kris partners with businesses to develop strategic solutions for their toughest
people challenges. Her expertise streamlines processes, strengthens organizational culture and drives measurable results.
InnerGi Consulting, founded in 2009, is Kris’ platform to empower leaders and cultivate thriving work environments. Through
her dedication and expertise, Kris has helped numerous organizations achieve continuous growth and unlock the power of a
diverse and engaged workforce. She is the co-author of the Implicit Bias curriculum that was adopted by and taught at the City of Columbus to over 8,000 city
employees and has been taught to more than 10,000 people nationwide. Kris is also a committed community leader, actively
volunteering with organizations like the CYP Club, the Columbus Children’s Choir and the HRACO Board where she serves
as the VP of DEIB. Kris holds an MBA in Human Resource Management & Leadership and a B.S. in Organizational
Leadership & Business Administration.
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.
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 CPI-HR. 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. 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.
Jill Windelspecht is the Founder & CEO of The Leaders’ Coach where she equips managers and executives
with the tools and mindset necessary to build an authentic and effective leadership style. She also helps clients "flip the script"
on their inner critic. Jill has coached leaders for over 25 years. Prior to The Leaders’ Coach, Jill traveled the globe providing
leadership development coaching as an HR executive. She led the Learning & Organization Effectiveness function at
First Energy for 2 years, spent 14 years as a Global Talent Management and Organization Effectiveness leader for Eaton
Corporation and 5 years as an HR & OD leader for AlliedSignal / Honeywell. Jill holds a B.A. in Psychology from
Michigan State University, a Master's in Organizational Behavior from Pfeiffer University and an Executive Master's in
NeuroLeadership from the NeuroLeadership Institute. Her many certifications include: Coach, Speaker and Trainer from the
John Maxwell Leadership Institute; Executive Coach from the Gestault Institute; Executive Coach in Emotional Intelligence
from Case Western Reserve University; Life Coach from Symbiosis Coaching; Organization Change Practitioner from Prosci;
Organization Design Practitioner from the USC Center for Effective Organizations as well as a Six Sigma Blackbelt.
Tom Ault, MBA is an HR Consultant at ERC. Tom has over twenty five 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 BS 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.
Claire Lytton is Senior Manager of Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness at Paylocity.
As an HR leader with a background in transforming organizational cultures, Claire is passionate about fostering growth
and enhancing employee development. She focuses on achieving key business outcomes while cultivating a
best-in-class employee experience. She joined Paylocity in January of 2024 where she drives performance
management, organizational development as well as culture strategy and across 6,000 employees.
Prior to her role at Paylocity, Claire led Learning & Development teams across diverse industries
including advertising, technology and healthcare. Before transitioning to the corporate world,
Claire worked as an educator, teaching in schools in New York and Minnesota, including roles in curriculum development
and instructional design. Claire holds an Executive Master’s degree in HR & Industrial and Organizational Psychology
from Baruch College and a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development from the University of Minnesota.
In addition she is a board-certified executive coach.
Samantha Vance is the Manager, Surveys & Research at ERC. Sam works with data to provide
employers with insights into practices that create and support great workplaces. At ERC she manages both internal
and client surveys and is a key contributor to the employee engagement practice. Sam also provides design support,
statistical analysis and client recommendations across all practice areas and for the NorthCoast 99 awards program.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ohio University and earned her Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational
Psychology research from Cleveland State University. In addition, Sam is certified in 21st Century Leadership.
Karen Clark, MBA, MHRM, CDP is an accomplished Human Resources professional a dedicated HR Consultant
with a rich background as a trainer and DEI practitioner. Her journey, rooted in the US Air Force, reflects her commitment to
service and excellence. Karen’s diverse professional experiences, spanning human resources, education, recruiting and
talent management, have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics and human
behavior. Karen’s academic achievements, including multiple bachelor’s degrees, an MBA and a master’s degree in Human
Resource Management highlight her dedication to continuous learning and professional development. Her certifications,
including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Certificate of Diversity Practitioner, underscore her expertise in personality
dynamics and conflict resolution. As the Founder of Spire Consulting and Training, Karen is a highly-rated speaker
and thought leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Topics like implicit bias, language at work, privilege and race
showcase her commitment to fostering inclusive environments. Whether through virtual workshops or in-person conferences,
Karen’s dynamic facilitation style and passionate, interactive approach engages her participants. She is the co-author of the
Implicit Bias curriculum that was adopted by the City of Columbus for over 8,000 city employees and has been taught to
more than 10,000 people nationwide. With nearly two decades of experience in the DEI space, Karen continues to be a
driving force for positive change leaving a lasting impact through her work.
Lisa Grisafo is an HR Consultant at ERC and has over 25 years of experience in the human
resources, banking and financial services industries. Lisa provides ERC clients with expert
guidance, recommendations and implementation support in the areas of employment law compliance,
employee relations, performance management, talent attraction and total rewards. She also offers
support on all facets of HR management, ranging from strategic initiatives to administrative functions.
Previously Lisa served as an Employee Relations Consultant for three years at KeyBank. While at Key she provided
HR consultation, support and advice to all levels of management on employee relations issues surrounding policy, procedure
and programs. Lisa also revised and provided feedback on employment documents, including performance improvement
plans and termination documents. Prior to Key Lisa coordinated and managed all HR functions at an architectural firm.
Lisa started her career at Bank of America, formerly MBNA America. During her 12-year tenure there she held various
positions, including Customer Satisfaction Specialist, Marketing Manager, Customer Satisfaction Unit Manager,
Customer Assistance and Satisfaction Department Manager, Personnel Department Manager and Personnel Department
Vice President. While serving as Vice President, Lisa managed HR operations and support for two regional locations, providing high-level HR counsel
and guidance to senior management in support of recruiting and retention-related employment issues.
Lisa holds a Bachelor’s from John Carroll University.
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.
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