Amanda currently works as the Head of People, Culture, and Belonging at The Tech Interactive in San Jose, CA. Prior to this role, Amanda has worked in DEI and HR as a consultant, project manager, and generalist. At the Charleston International Airport, she built and implemented a Performance Management system as part of her Project Management Professional (PMP) Credential. Amanda holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago where she studied statistics and implicit prejudice and bias. In 2016, she had the privilege to be published in the journal Women & Therapy. Amanda previously contributed to the development of HRCI upSkill™ assessments and continues to work on the aPHR, PHR, and SPHR exams as a Forms Reviewer, Item Writer, and coach for new item writers.
Emmanuel Michael is a seasoned and highly sought after strategic human resources leader with almost three decades of management experience spanning various industries such as multidisciplinary engineering, information technology, hospitality and financial services, of which almost two decades have been in human resources management practice. Between March and August 2017, he was the Interim CEO & Head of HR of Letshego MFB, a national microfinance bank in Nigeria. He is currently the Head of People and Culture at Letshego Nigeria. Emmanuel is a globally certified HR practitioner (SPHRi™, HRPL, MCIPM, MITD), subject matter expert with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), HR Certification Institute (HRCI), and a Microfinance Certified Banker (MCIB). He serves as a career and business mentor on various local and international platforms in addition to being an internationally certified Leadership and Career Success Coach. His contribution to the global HR community has resulted in several recognitions and awards both locally and internationally, chief among them are the 100 Most Influential Global HR Leaders (2018), 101 Global HR Heroes (2019) awards by the World HRD Congress, and Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership (2022 and 2023). In addition to being a regular contributor on current HR issues and trends on social media, Emmanuel enjoys public speaking at both local and international forums, writing blogs, and hosts #HRwithEM - a platform to #Connect, #Learn, and #Share on everything Leadership, Career Development, and Employee Experience. He is fondly called "The HR Celebrity" by the Nigerian HR community.
Amy Benbarka is the VP, HR for Ontrac, the largest regional delivery company in the US. Previously, she was the Chief Human Resources Officer for AM LLC, an organization that provides the federal government with mission-critical services in information, communications, technology, and public health. After spending time working in human capital consulting both in Seattle, Washington, and the DC metro area, she returned to corporate HR management and specializes in helping high growth companies scale their HR practices. Ms. Benbarka holds the PHRca®, SPHR®, and GPHR® credentials, as well as an MBA from The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. She has served as an Item Writer and Reviewer for the GPHR, SPHR, and aPHRi™ exams, and contributed to The Guide to HR Body of Knowledge.
Sylvia Diemer is the Human Resources Manager at Mayer Brown–a global white-shoe law firm founded in Chicago–where she manages HR functions for one of the company's largest offices. Prior to joining Mayer Brown, Sylvia worked as the Human Resources Manager at Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney where she oversaw all aspects of HR functions and at ABM Industries where she focused on employee and labor relations. Diemer has more than 15 years of experience in HR leadership. She earned a bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship and innovations at the Krakow University of Economics in 2002 and the HRCI PHR certification in 2010. She started collaborating with the HR Certification Institute in 2010 and has served as an Item Writer and Item Reviewer for the PHR, SPHR, PHRi, and aPHRi exams. In 2018, she started mentoring and coaching new Item Writers. She has also participated in the HRCI Job Task Analysis and Forms Review.
Babs is the Group HR Data & Systems Director at Klockner Pentaplast - a global leader in recycled content high-barrier protective packaging. In his role, Babs is responsible for the overarching HR Technology strategy with emphasis on Employee Experience and Productivity. He has significant HR experience across different industries such as the Manufacturing, Media and Financial sectors. His experience spans over 20+ years working in various capacities for great brands like Coca-Cola, Jaguar Land Rover, Serco and the BBC. Babs’ vast experience in the field of HR has made him a versatile business ally and operational executor. His areas of expertise include: Information Systems and Transformation Projects, Talent sourcing, Learning/organizational development, role/team design, succession planning, and compensation/ benefits. Babs earned an MSc in Human Resource Management from the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen UK. He holds multiple HR and HR Systems certifications from various HR professional accrediting bodies in the UK, USA and Nigeria. Certifications include GPHR, SPHRi and SPHR from HRCI and a Chartered Member, Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, UK. Babs is also a SAP Certified Application Associate in four different modules of SuccessFactors.
Alisa Guralnick is one of two founders of NextLevel Human Resources Consulting, LLC in San Diego, CA. Alisa has helped self-funded and venture-backed technology startups, as well as Fortune 500 telecommunications and financial industry leaders, through all levels of development. She has a Professional Certificate in HR Management from the University of California, San Diego, and completed the inaugural session of their HR Leadership Program. Alisa has taught various Human Resources classes at the University of California, San Diego and at Mira Costa College. Alisa holds a BA in English from the University of Rochester (NY). Alisa holds the PHRca® and SPHR® credentials. She continues to serve as a Forms Reviewer, Item Writer and Item Review coach for the SPHR and PHRca exams for the HRCI and contributed to The Guide to HR Body of Knowledge.
Dr. Janet L. Walsh has 30 years-experience in global business and human resources. She is currently the President and CEO of Birchtree Global, LLC, which develops market entry solutions integrating the legal, financial, tax, HR, and business infrastructure to reduce risk and increase financial performance in globalizing businesses. Birchtree has been an HRCI and SHRM recertification provider for 10+ years. Her prior executive experience includes VP, and Global Director HR in billion-dollar multinationals. She has established business operations in 81 countries and all 50 US States directing teams of lawyers, CPAs, finance, and HR leaders. She holds a BA in Economics, minor in Japanese from Bucknell University, an MBA in Finance from Loyola University, and a DBA focused on Foreign Direct Investment from University of Phoenix. She is an adjunct professor/instructor of global business and HR at Manhattanville College, Columbia University, and NYIT. Her ongoing research on HR financial performance, global business, and Cuba is published in multiple journals. Board service includes Explorers Club Board of Directors-Chair of Ethics and Governance, Bedford Film Board, Manhattanville College Corporate Educational Advisory Board, Editorial Board for the International Journal of Management and Marketing Research, D’Oyly Carte US Board. She is a member of Rotary. She identified and excavated a Georgia archaeological site, is an award-winning watercolorist and member of the Booth Museum of Western Art Guild, and division champion equestrian.
Lisa Mockler is the VP, People Operations for ZoomCare, which provides a variety of health care services. Based in Portland, Oregon, she oversees human resources and learning and development. Previously, Lisa was the Human Resources Director for Pinkerton and was responsible for human resources and talent acquisition for the western U.S. and Canada. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked in a variety of industries for small and mid-sized organizations. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Willamette University, Atkinson Graduate School of Management, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Washington State University. She is Senior Professional in Human Resources® (SPHR®) and the Global Professional in Human Resources® (GPHR®) certified. Lisa has served as an Item Writer, Item Writer Coach, Forms Reviewer, and participated in the Job Task Analysis for the SPHR, GPHR and SPHRi® exams.
Rali Petrova is the Deputy Director of Certification at American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). She has worked in the certification field more than a decade and is a Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) with Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) Petrova volunteers on several ICE committees. She earned her Master of Business Administration from American Military University and Bachelor of Science in Health Systems Management from George Mason University. Petrova resides in the Washington D.C. area, enjoys cycling and is a self-proclaimed “foodie”.
Ravi Puddoo is a certified Professional in Human Resources - International (PHRi) with over 18 years of global experience in diverse industries such as telecommunications, hospitality, automotive, retail, life sciences and technology. He currently serves as a Talent & Transformation Executive at IBM Consulting leading global talent acquisition and HR delivery strategies. In his role, he provides a consultative and trusting partnership to clients while executing on talent solutions to provide optimal experiences using workflow management and data. In his prior roles, he has overseen efforts that have resulted into effective and streamlined human resources practices and change management including initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion. Ravi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from University of Mumbai, an MBA from IIMT New Delhi and an Executive Program in Human Resources from Rotman Business School, University of Toronto. He started collaborating with HRCI in 2012 and has since served as a subject matter expert in different workstreams like focus groups, Item Writing and Exam Form Reviewer. His passion revolves around coaching, mentoring, engaging with teams at all levels and serves as a foundation for change and progress.