Brian J. Glade, SPHR, GPHR is the Managing Director of Global Strategy and the Americas at the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC). In this role, he is responsible for membership in North, Central, and South America, as well as serving as Secretary to the AESC Board of Directors.

Prior to joining AESC in May 2011, Brian led global member programs for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. The Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Brian was responsible for educating the Society’s constituents on global human resource management issues; providing guidance in the globalization of SHRM members, products, and services; and representing the Society and the profession abroad. Brian established the SHRM offices in Beijing, PRC, and Mumbai, India. 

Prior to joining SHRM in 1997, Brian worked at Texaco, Inc., corporate headquarters in New York for five years in a variety of positions. As International Human Resources Advisor he was responsible for developing a global approach to Texaco’s human resource policies. As Coordinator for Total Quality Management (TQM) in an operating division, Brian had oversight for developing and delivering TQM and reengineering activities. He also served as a Project Developer responsible for introducing a Texaco-licensed clean energy technology in European markets. 

Previously, Brian worked at the United States Council for International Business, a policy association in New York City representing 300 U.S. companies before international organizations. As Vice President for International Labor Affairs, he served as U.S. Employer Delegate to the International Labor Organization (ILO) where he negotiated labor standards with trade unions and governments. Brian testified before the US Congress on international labor standards. He was also active in shaping social affairs policy before the European Commission in Brussels and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris. Brian acquired certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) from the HR Certification Institute. 

Brian earned his M.A. in International Affairs from the Paul Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University. As part of that program, he studied in Bologna, Italy for one year. His B.A. in Government is from the University of Notre Dame. Brian’s language training includes French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Latin. 

Brian is a frequent speaker at HR management conferences around the world.

As a Business Strategist and Executive Coach, LaFern Batie leads The Batie Group, LLC, a business consulting and leadership development firm serving organizations around the globe. With extensive Fortune 500 corporate leadership experience and widely recognized expertise, she works with international organizations and leaders across diverse industries to maximize their collective and individual performance. Leaders value her high business acumen, ability to quickly connect with teams, thorough and efficient approach to identifying challenges and commitment to helping them achieve results that exceed their expectations. 

Follow LaFern on Twitter @LaFernBatie.
 

Ms. Walters has more than 30 years’ combined experience in management, HR administration, employment law practice, and teaching.

She has presented at conferences across the country, been engaged as an expert witness, and testified before U.S. Congressional and state legislative committees on employment issues.

Her book, “From Hello to Goodbye: Proactive Tips for Maintaining Positive Employee Relations” is in its 2nd edition and was one of the SHRMStore’s “Great 8” best-sellers for eight consecutive years.

Today, Ms. Walters works as an independent consultant doing business as FiveL Company, “Helping Leaders Limit their Liability by Learning the Law.”SM

U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz is currently serving her fourth term representing Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District. Labeled a "rising star" by POLITICO, Schwartz is an increasingly influential figure in Congress, playing a central role in debates on health care, the federal budget, and tax policy. Congressional Quarterly describes her as "one of the Democrats' leading health care experts," and her insight and knowledge on the subject are highly valued by her colleagues. As the sole female member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, the Philadelphia Daily News praises her as a "local trailblazer" for women in politics. National Journal’s 2010 Congressional Vote Ratings ranked Schwartz one of the most centrist Members of Congress for her commitment to finding effective, bipartisan solutions to fix our economy, improve the quality of life for Pennsylvania families and communities, and make our nation more secure.The Congresswoman is also Vice Chair of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), a group of 43 moderate members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are dedicated to the prosperity and security of American families and businesses. NDC members are dedicated to empowering the U.S. to grow economically and maintain a vibrant job market, preserving the U.S. standing as the world’s leader in innovation and technological advancement, and strengthening our economic and national security.
 

In her new role as SHRM’s Senior Speechwriter for the SHRM’s Speaker’s Bureau, Aliah is responsible for managing the speaking program for SHRM executives and Board Members totaling more than 200 presentations annually. In addition, she writes and edits many of the speeches given by SHRM senior executives and vice presidents.

A subject matter expert on social media engagement and social strategy, HR technology and global human resources Aliah, a journalist for more than 15 years, began working in SHRM’s editorial division in March of 2008. She has written for SHRM Online and HR Magazine.

She is the author of the best-selling SHRM-published book, A Necessary Evil: Managing Employees' Activity on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn … and the Hundreds of Other Social Media Sites, which encourages HR professionals to embrace social media as a tool for increased employee engagement. It also shows HR professionals how to effectively promote, protect, and defend their firm’s brands and reputations on social media platforms encouraging them to manage employee activity with legal social media policies.

She has delivered keynote addresses and speeches across the United States, Canada and Europe, where she attended and moderated conferences—including the SHRM Annual Conference on a variety of HR topics, including social media engagement, recruiting and HR technology selection.

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from Temple University in her hometown of Philadelphia, she worked as a Reporter and Editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Daily News, The Greenville (S.C) News and as a Political Correspondent for the nation’s largest news organization, The Associated Press. She left there to work at USA Today where, as the Entertainment Editor for Gannett News Service, she managed a team of entertainment reporters nationwide for all of Gannett’s papers, including the nation’s largest daily newspaper — USA Today.

She is a frequent speaker on various social media topics and has been featured in a number of publications, blogs and podcasts, among them The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Forbes, American Express Business Blog, HR Magazine, Small Business Digest, Talent Management Blog, JumpStartHR Blog, and the Business Life & Coffee and National Press Club podcasts.

She is the proud mom of an aspiring psychologist who’s studying abroad in Australia next year. You can follow her tweets @1SHRMScribe and read her articles published on SHRM.org and LinkedIn.

David Lusk joined the SHRM Government Affairs Team as the Senior Associate for Member Advocacy in 2010.  Lusk oversees SHRM’s traditional member advocacy efforts.   He is also responsible for the development of the Advocacy Team, a SHRM initiative that will elevate the visibility of the HR profession by establishing a strong member presence in each of the 435 congressional districts.

With over 15 years of policy experience, Lusk most recently specialized in grassroots and grasstops internet engagement with Capitol Advantage -- now a part of the CQ-Roll Call Group. He also focused on health policy as a staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce and in the state affairs department of the Health Insurance Association of America. He is based in Alexandria, Va.

Kirsten Powers, a Political Analyst on 'Fox News' and Columnist for The Daily Beast and New York Post, has a unique perspective from her real-world experience working in politics and business.  Known for providing analysis and insight on the cultural and political issues of the day, Powers was a regular member of Fox News’ 2008 election night coverage throughout the primaries and general election.

After beginning her political career in Bill Clinton’s D.C. campaign office in January 1992 and working for the Clinton-Gore Transition team as they prepared for the new administration, Powers landed at the White House where she worked for U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor.  She rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public Affairs. Powers served as Press Secretary to Andrew Cuomo’s 2002 governor’s race and continued to work in New York City and state politics, before turning to political commentary and writing. Her writing has been published in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the New York Post.