The #StateLineCrew is an informal group of human resources professionals primarily from Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois that meet regularly near the Wisconsin-Illinois “state line” to network, share stories and ideas, support one another, and bond over food and beverages. The group formed shortly after the 2018 SHRM Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago and continues to evolve.
Four #StateLineCrew members (Paul LaLonde, Kyra Matkovich, Jeff Palkowski, and Mary Williams) will be participating as part of the #SHRM19Blogger Team at the 2019 SHRM Annual Conference & Exhibition in Las Vegas.
Read more about the #StateLineCrew from our previous SHRM Blog post “Meet the #StateLineCrew – Introduction.”
Now, meet #StateLineCrew #SHRM19 Blogger, Mary Williams…
What is your day job?
I am a Regional Manager Business Operations and HR for Harbor Light Hospice. Harbor Light Hospice operates in nine states under a philosophy of care that provides support and dignity to patients with life-limiting illness and their loved ones during end-of-life. I am responsible for HR functions for four locations in the state of Illinois and nearly 200 employees statewide. I am dedicated to developing and implementing well-organized processes and has extensive experience as and HR Department of One creating structure within an organization.
What is your experience/involvement with SHRM?
I enjoy giving back to the HR community by serving on the board of my local SHRM chapter, DuPage SHRM, as Registration Director. I am a member of national SHRM. This is my second year as a member of the SHRM Blogger team.
What are you most looking forward to as a #SHRM19Blogger?
This is my 2nd year as a member of the SHRM blogger team - and I am SO EXCITED to introduce my fellow #StateLineCrew Members to the rest of the blogger squad and the experiences they have ahead of them. I have started my interviews with the speakers and vendors and am looking forward to another year of learning and mixing and mingling with other HR professionals who are equally ignited for this profession. The national SHRM conference is an amazing experience!!
Name one speaker or session that you are most looking forward to at #SHRM19.
This is a tough question.... and only choosing one is next to impossible. I am really looking forward to seeing Brene’ Brown present - this will be my first opportunity to see her in person, I have been a follower and reader of Brene's books for a while now and am really looking forward to her presentation. Another one that I'm looking forward to is Kevin Cope - Acumen Learning - (see my Speaker SpotLight Q&A post with Kevin on the SHRM blog..https://blog.shrm.org/blog/shrm19-speaker-spotlight-kevin-cope-acumen-learning.) - His session is Seeing the Big Picture - Business Acumen to Build Your Credibility, Career & Company how HR Pros can and should develop our Business Acumen and learn our businesses and why this is important.
What does the #StateLineCrew mean to you?
The #StateLineCrew means so much to me! I take time out of my schedule and prioritize our meet-ups because it's not always what you get, it's what you give! I am inspired and enriched by these HR professionals. If I need a pep talk about how to navigate change management - they all rise to the challenge and let me unpack the issue together... and we discuss best practice, possible approaches that could work. Discussions are all extremely supportive, constructive and meaningful.
Connecting intentionally and actively has been enriching and inspiring. I know they will be there for me and I am certainly there for them. These authentic connections - meeting in real life - are so very important. It's pretty amazing to have a dynamic and active and close network upon which I can call if I have a need, or just need to bounce an idea... what a tremendous comfort! AND, likewise, I am there for them to be that listening supportive ear whenever needed.
Jeff Palkowski, MHRM, SHRM-SCP, PHR is a Divisional Workforce Relations Manager and Divisional Disability Representative with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Information Technology. He has worked in human resources and has been involved with the Society for Human Resource Management at national, state, and local chapter levels since 2003. Jeff currently serves on the Wisconsin SHRM State Council as a District Director and Director of Communications and Social Media, a SHRM Advocacy Captain for Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, and member of the SHRM Foundation Leadership Circle. A SHRM Senior Certified Professional, HRCI Professional in Human Resources, and Hootsuite Academy Certified Social Marketing Professional; Jeff received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earned a Master of Human Resources Management degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management, and completed additional coursework at Cardinal Stritch University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Purdue University. Jeff blogs at HRSushiBar and you can also follow him on Twitter or connect with him on LinkedIn. Jeff is also a SHRM Annual Conference and Expo Influencer since 2019.
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