Landmarks (Keynote Presentations)

Connie Dieken
“Talk Less, Say More”

Attention spans are getting shorter every day. Wouldn’t it be great if you could get your points across before distracted, impatient people tune you out? This program offers a solution to the single greatest challenge in business today. Discover how to: connect with anyone to instantly capture their undivided attention; convey information without overloading or confusing others; and convince anyone to take the action you want and feel good about it.

Connie Dieken is one of the nation’s most in-demand authorities on influential communication. As founder and chief experience officer of onPoint Communication, LLC, Dieken delivers magnetic keynote programs around the globe. Her renowned Connect-Convey-Convince® method is a proven winner for organizations looking to develop powerful, influential communicators who motivate others and achieve high performance results. She has guided leaders and sales teams at organizations such as Apple, Olympus, McDonald’s, Moen, Deloitte and many others.

Josh Ulman

Josh Ulman will provide insight on the change that has come to Washington and what it means for human resources on your campus. Ulman, who brings over decade of experience as a lobbyist and employment attorney, will discuss what to expect from Congress, the EEOC, the NLRB and DOL.

The founder of Ulman Public Policy & Federal Relations, Ulman has assisted businesses, business organizations, governments and coalitions in developing and implementing strategies for achieving legislative and regulatory objectives on workforce-related issues. He currently serves as the chief government relations officer for CUPA-HR.

Dr. Rick Bommelje
“The HR Leader as a Thermostat: Exercising Adaptive Leadership”

Sponsored by: Fidelity Investments

Adaptive leadership is the practice of mobilizing people to tackle tough challenges and thrive. The most common cause of failure in leadership today is treating adaptive challenges as if they were technical problems. Leading adaptive work is not for the faint-hearted, yet it is crucial for success in the 21st century. During this highly participative session, you will learn important tools to help you in your HR leadership role including: identifying the “purpose of work,” “raising the heat,” “getting off the balcony,” “capturing the focus” and “providing a holding container.”

Dr. Rick Bommelje has more than 30 years of professional experience in leadership, supervision, management and adult education. Bommelje is an associate professor in the Department of Organizational Communication at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He is the architect of the emerging field of Listening Leadership®. Bommelje also currently serves as the president of the International Listening Association. The appeal and effectiveness of Bommelje’s programs are found in his practical and “real world” approach to education and development. His informal delivery style focuses on practical and substantive content that offers participants immediate and measurable benefits. Bommelje has co-authored a book with Dr. Lyman Steil entitled Listening Leaders: The Ten Golden Rules to Listen, Lead, and Succeed. Bommelje holds a master’s degree in Management and a doctorate in Administration, with advanced leadership study at Harvard University and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.