Rollins MHR Student Chapter Hosts HR Conference

This year's conference centered on “The Heart of HR: Humanity at Work,” a theme dedicated to the idea that effective, ethical, and inclusive workplaces are built on deeply human qualities: empathy, humor, compassion, creativity, civility, and ethical leadership. The day was designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world HR practice and to remind every attendee why the “human” in Human Resources matters more than ever. As one attendee put it, “This conference is great for leaders, both new and seasoned, to remind us of the leaders we are and the ones we could be.”

Months of preparation went into every detail, led by the chapter’s dedicated executive board:

• Ashley Eddy ’26MHR, President
• Tara Snyder ’27MHR, Vice President
• Brianna Morgan ’27MHR, Events Coordinator & Treasurer
• Carolina Valencia ’26MHR, Secretary
• Valentina Martinez Vivolo ’27MHR, Director of Communications & Outreach

The event featured a dynamic lineup of HR professionals alongside Rollins faculty and alumni, who led sessions and panels exploring engagement, diversity, belonging, and the human side of work:

• The morning opened with Lynn Johnson, SHRM-SCP, CEO of Triumphant HR Solutions and president of SHRM Greater Orlando, who delivered a session titled “The Heart of Engagement: Humanity at Work.”
• Keisha Malivert, executive director of Workforce Strategy at AdventHealth, led a session on “Embracing Diversity: How to Create a Culture That Values All Voices,” later noting on LinkedIn, “Thank you to the Rollins College chapter for hosting such a meaningful event.”
• MHR professor Ricky Baez moderated a dynamic alumni panel featuring Brandon Dedrel ’24MHR, Wesley Redden ’04MHR, Crystal Palacios, and Miranda Arjona ’15 ’20MHR.
• Addison Murray, program manager of inclusion at AdventHealth, made a compelling case for laughter as serious business in “Being Human at Work: How Humor Builds Trust, Joy, and Resilience.”
• Kate Eames, director of human resources at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, delivered a data-rich session on “Belonging: The Ultimate Employee Superpower.”
• The conference closed with Keith Smith, president & CEO of Keith Smith Consulting, who invited the room to “Yes, and… Improv Your Impact and Connect with Heart.”

“The day captured HR professionals learning from and teaching each other how to foster a positive experience for colleagues and themselves,” notes an attendee, applauding the event for creating a space where future and current HR professionals alike were reminded of why this work matters.